INDONESIAN MARINE TO LAUNCH "SAVE LITTORAL LIFE" TO CELEBRATE INDEPENDENCE DAY by Fardah

Jakarta,  Aug 15, 2015 (Antara) -  Indonesia remains the global center of marine biodiversity in the world, with the most diverse marine ecosystems that include more than 500 species of coral, and at least 3,000 species of fish.

       To conserve and help this natural wealth to thrive,  Indonesia has initiated the creation of The Coral Triangle Initiative (CTI)  that brings together Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Solomon Islands, and Timor-Leste.

        Known as the  "Amazon of the Seas", the Coral Triangle area covers 5.7 million square kilometers of ocean waters and is a massive region containing 75 percent of the world`s coral species, which are shared by the six countries in Southeast Asia and the Pacific .    
   Coral reefs are crucial for the economic and food security of millions of Indonesian people, particularly those living in coastal areas.

          Coral reefs are also important, among other things, because they provide protection and shelter for many different species of fish, and help fishermen earn a living from catching fish, including decorative fish.

        The reefs also control the amounts of carbon dioxide found in the ocean water, and protect coasts from strong currents and waves by slowing the water before it reaches shores.

         These resources, however, are at immediate risk from a range of factors, including the impacts of climate change and unsustainable fishing methods.

        In marking the 70th anniversary of Indonesia's independence, the Indonesian Navy's Marine Corps is planning to re-plant one million coral reefs, in a program entitled "Save Our Littoral Life," to be carried out across the country.   
    The initiative to plant coral reefs aims to preserve them and support the government's maritime axis program, he noted.

         During the "Save Our Littoral Life" campaign, the Marine Corps set a target to plant one million coral reefs over an area of 100 hectares spread across 51 locations, and with 243 planting sites. The re-planting program began in May 2015.

       Simultaneous coral reef planting activities are scheduled to be carried out in Sabang on Weh Island, Aceh Province in western Indonesia; Malayang Beach in Manado (North Sulawesi) in central Indonesia; and Ambon, Maluku Province, in eastern Indonesia, on August 16, 2015.

        The opening ceremony in Sabang, Weh Island, will be attended by Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Susi Pudjiastuti and Commander of the Indonesian Western Fleet Rear Admiral A. Taufiqoerrachman.

         Additionally, President Joko Widodo will hold a teleconference with authorities in the three provinces during the event, to be held with the cooperation of the maritime and fisheries ministry.       
   Some 200 Marine Corps divers will plant coral reefs in 1.2 hectares in Sabang, Commander of the Infantry Battalion-8 Major Gede Edy Supryadi said in Sabang, Aceh, recently.

       Sabang was chosen as the location for the program because most of its coral reefs were damaged during the deadly 2004 tsunami.

       Supryadi also expressed hope that the replanting of the coral reefs will help to boost marine tourism in Aceh.

       Moreover, the Marine Corps will hold an underwater flag hoisting ceremony on August 17, with Rear Admiral Taufiqoerrachman officiating as the inspector and Lieutenant Colonel Sulaksana as the commander.

       From May to July 2015, the Marine Corps planted some 400,000 coral reefs over an area of 30 hectares at a number of beaches, including Labuhan Beach in Lamongan, Bama Beach in Sidoarjo, and Pramuka Isle on Seribu Islands, as well as along the coasts of Kelapa Rapet, Klaura, Ketapang, Kelagian, and Lembing. 
  Further, the Indonesian Marine's Infantry Brigade (Brigif-3) in Piabung, Lampung Province, has planted some 5,000 coral reefs in the waters of Lampung Bay.

        "We, the Indonesian Navy, particularly the Marine Corps, during the past two months have planted coral reefs at several sites in Lampung Bay, such as Tegal Isle, whose coral reefs are in a poor condition," Commander of the Piabung Marine's Brigif-3 Colonel I Wayan Ariwijaya stated during a seminar reviewing the "Save Our Littoral Life" program recently.

       In the meantime, the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) has called upon the maritime affairs and fisheries ministry to prioritize a coral reef cultivation program to restore the country's damaged coral reefs.

        "We urge the government to make coral reef cultivation and conservation a national priority," Deputy Chairman of Kadin in charge of maritime and fishery affairs Yugi Prayanto stated recently.

         He cited data from the Indonesian Navy's Marines that estimated the current value of coral reefs globally at US$352,000 per hectare per year.

        This value is calculated from the revenues contributed by the tourism sector, fish habitats, and coastal protection.

        In other words, the total value is US$9.9 trillion globally, he noted in a press statement.

        Coral reefs offer economic and developmental benefits for the welfare of residents in 94 countries, including Indonesia.

        In 2014, Indonesia has 199 maritime conservation areas spanning a total area of 16.45 million hectares, as well as coral coverage of 2,517,858 hectares.

        "This means Indonesia has an opportunity to enjoy greater benefits from coral reef conservation and cultivation," he stated.

        The Kadin, in cooperation with the Indonesian Navy, has played its part in restoring coral reefs by cleaning them.

       He also urged companies to allocate parts of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds to help the movement to restore and preserve coral reefs.

        In the meantime, the maritime affairs and fisheries minister has pointed out that some 70 percent of the coral reefs in Indonesia are damaged and need to be restored.

      "Currently, only 30 percent of coral reefs are in good condition, while the remaining 70 percent are damaged," Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti noted in a statement on Aug. 9.

       Coral reefs have been mostly damaged due to human activities, such as fishing using explosives and potassium, as well as by marine litter, she stated. ***3***
(f001/INE/o001)