PHYTOPLANKTON COMPOSITION AND ITS RELATION TO PEARL OYSTER AQUACULTURE (Pinctada maxima) IN SEKOTONG, WEST NUSA TENGGARA

<p><em>Pearl oyster aquaculture is one of the marine industr</em><em>ies</em><em> that </em><em>is currently </em><em>grow</em><em>ing</em><em> in West Nusa Tenggara. </em><em>Pearl oyster (</em><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Pinctada</span></em><em> <span style="text-decoration: underline;">maxima</span></em><em>)</em><em> is a common species of oyster that cultivated in West Nusa Tenggara water</em><em>s</em><em>. A suitable location is an important factor for the success of pearl aquaculture industry. It </em><em>needs a</em><em> good water quality and supported by </em><em>appropriate </em><em>physical parameters for </em><em>other </em><em>marine biota</em><em>s</em><em>. The aim of this research was to analize phytoplankton composition (biological parameter) and it correlation to the Sekotong water condition for pearl farming production. The result showed that the pearl farming location has good water condition according to physio-chemical parameter and water nutrients. All parameters were in suitable range for the growth and development of pearl oysters</em><em>.</em></p> <p><em> </em></p> <strong><em>Keywords:</em></strong><em> pearl farming, phytoplankton, <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Pinctada</span> <span style="text-decoration: underline;">maxima</span>, West Nusta Tenggara</em>