Thursday, 18 December 2014

INDONESIA ONLY MANAGE TO ASSESS 22 PERCENT OF TOTAL POTENTIAL MARINE AREAS



The Ministry of maritime and Fishery [KKP] would re evaluate economic value of 2.5 million hectares of coral reefs in sea conservation zones, with reference to data of the Geopasal Information Board [BIG]. Of the potential 2.5 million hectares only around 22 percent of conservation zones was evaluated. KKP also claimed their success to save the eco system through setting conservation zones. “We are making effort to protect the eco-system, including in the potential dangers on coral reefs as habitat of fish,” The Director of Fish Conservation Agus Dermawan disclosed to Business News [4/11].

The Sea Conservation System protected tote ecosystem like coral reefs, mangroves, seaweed etc. one of the eco system element was coral reefs as resources of valuable items, but the traditional communities tend to undervalue the coral reefs. :About the coastal communities, we really have to work hard to make them contribute meeting fish production target. Sustainable resources could only be secured if we can secure 30 percent of resources. Ideally it’s 30 percent and not 100 percent. We have made assessments based on intensive study.”

KKP admitted there was some degradation of the ecosystem with some coral reefs being damaged. Economic evaluation was an instrument applicable for estimating the value of elements of the eco system. The evaluation process was also related to marine tourism. “We can compare the value of fish for tourist attraction and its value if being smuggled out. Let’s say if smuggled fish is worth Rp. 1 million, it’s value as live attraction could be much more. Research unveiled that tourist attraction relying on 40 years if Parimata if could be worth Rp. 6 billion. So we really care about conservation of primate fish.”

Some locations like the Raja Ampat islands had already facilitated research centers and s Pari Mata attractions. The admission fee to primate attraction was Rp. 500. Thousand per year for members. The number of visitors kept increasing. “The Raja Ampat Pari mata performance had high economic value for increasing non-tax income”

The Directorate General of Marine and Fishery Supervision [PSDKP] KKP once cracked illegal trading of Pari Mata in Buleleng, Bali. The estimated amount being saved was around Rp. 175, 100,000 while the evident being confiscated was 103 dried Pari mata or equal to 77 living Pari Mata. The action by security officials was part of the effort protect the world’s natural wealth and to conserve nature. “If fisherman caught Pari mata dead, it’s clearly Law breaking, they eat the fin not the meat. As far as I know the fin is good for health”

Pari Mata had been stipulated by the Ministry as protected animal by Regulation No 4/KEPMENKP/2014. Meaning since 2014, capturing and trading of Pari mata or parts of the body was prohibited and law would be enforced on violators.

For the execution Pari Mata protection afield KKP launched illumination in some places where Pari Mata catching was going on, such as in Bali, NTB, Sibolga, Jakarta, Cilacap and East Java. The illumination would be constantly exercised so all related stakeholders like fishermen and traders could be well informed. “The experts see the importance of coral reefs, we can calculate the value. If coral reefs were damaged, the world will accuse us of having failed to conserve nature” (SS)

Business News - November 19, 2014

No comments: