<![CDATA[Whale shark (Rhincodon typus) is a globally distributed, migratory pelagic species and a major tourism attraction in Botubarani Village, Gorontalo. Uncontrolled growth in the number of tourist boats, however, risks injuring whale sharks and degrading the visitor experience, yet no evidence-based limit on boat numbers has previously been established for this site. This study aimed to determine the regional carrying capacity (DDK) of the Botubarani whale shark tourism area and the optimal number of boats (JPO) that can operate without compromising ecological safety or operator welfare. Data were collected in April–May 2025 through field observation and structured interviews, and analyzed using the DDK and JPO formulas of Yulianda (2007). The area's theoretical carrying capacity was 686 visitors/day, with actual utilization at only about 20% of this capacity. The optimal operating range was determined to be 10 boats (minimum, based on the safety-adjusted permitted boats, Pt) to 42 boats (maximum, the highest boat count that still keeps average operator income at or above the Bone Bolango Regency minimum wage). These findings provide a quantitative basis for regulating boat numbers to balance whale shark conservation, tourist experience, and operator livelihoods.]]>
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