ASEAN SUMMIT A GOOD OPPORTUNITY TO PUT BRAKES ON PLASTIC WASTE IMPORTS

Jumat, 21 Jun 2019 23:30

Daerah : Jakarta

By Fardah
Jakarta, 21/6 (Antara) - The ASEAN leaders are set to meet in Bangkok, Thailand, from June 22-23, 2019, for the 34th ASEAN Summit, themed Advancing Partnership for Sustainability, which is expected to produce 16 documents.
These include the ASEAN Leader's Vision Statement on the Partnership for Sustainability, ASEAN Joint View of the Indo-Pacific, the ASEAN Leaders' Statement on the ASEAN Culture Year, and the Bangkok Declaration on Combating Marine Waste in the ASEAN Region.

The Bangkok Declaration on Combating Marine Debris in the ASEAN region was proposed by the ASEAN member countries environmental affairs ministers who met in Bangkok, on March 5, 2019, for the Special ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Marine Debris (SAMM-MD).

The meeting was an initiative of Thailand, as the Chair of the ASEAN in 2019, to provide the ASEAN a platform to explore and pursue concrete action on combating marine debris and strengthening collaboration between the ASEAN and supportive partners to address marine debris issues in the region effectively.

Ironically, while the ASEAN member countries are concerned about marine debris, which mostly comprises plastic waste, imports of a deluge of unwanted and toxic plastic waste have flooded the region, including Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Thailand over the last several years.

During the 2016-2018 period, the ASEAN region saw plastic waste imports grow by a staggering 171%, from 836,529 tons to 2,265,962 tons. Thats equivalent to around 423,544 20-foot shipping containers, according to data quoted by Greenpeace Southeast Asia.

Year Ender - PRESERVING CORAL REEFS MEANS PROTECTING LIVELIHOODS IN COASTAL REGION by Fardah

Jakarta, Dec 14, 2018 (Antara) - Indonesian waters occupy at least 70 percent of its national territory, and in most parts of the country, there are numerous people who earn a livelihood related to and dependent on the oceans.   
     The world's largest archipelagic country with a 260-million population and over 17 islands has 5.8 million square kilometers of marine territory, and some 92 thousand km-long beach and coastal areas, or the world's second longest coast line after Canada.

               Indonesia has various coral reefs, which are spread across an area of 25 thousand square kilometers, or around 10 percent of the world's coral reefs measuring 284,300 square kilometers.

              Besides, Indonesia has the highest number of coral reef species on the planet, notably 569 species from 82 families and 15 tribes, out of the total 845 coral reef species in the world.    
    Coral reefs are not just beautiful but are also crucial for maintaining the food supply of millions of people living along the coast all over the world.

              Coral reef fisheries are a critical source of protein for tens of millions of people, and coral reef tourism provides a significant source of foreign exchange for Indonesia.  
     Besides, biologically diverse coral reefs are also vital for protecting the shoreline of the country's low-lying islands.

              To help manage its costal region and preserve coral reefs, Indonesia carried out the Coral Reef Management and Rehabilitation Program (COREMAP), which is supported by a multi-donor group.     
  The Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI), as one of the executive agencies of the COREMP, has claimed that the program has been able to improve the rehabilitation and management of coral reefs in the country.

Year Ender - PLASTIC USE EDUCATION SHOULD START AT EARLY AGE by Fardah

  Jakarta, Dec 13, 2018 (Antara) - Indonesia is a haven for those preferring to use plastic, as plastic products can be found easily and bought at relatively low prices in the country, with a population of some 260 million.

         As an oil producing nation, Indonesia has manufactured various types of goods made of plastics, whose basic ingredient is crude petroleum.

        Despite several benefits that plastics have offered and made life easier, plastic use has environmental consequences, such as land and marine pollution due to plastic waste and deaths of wildlife after ingesting plastics or becoming entangled in plastic trash.

        Plastic has toxic pollutants that harm the environment and cause land, water, and air pollution. It can take hundreds or also thousands of years for plastic to break down, so damage to the environment is long-lasting.

        As to dangers it poses to wildlife, recent public outcry and protests erupted against the effects on wildlife from ingesting or becoming trapped in plastic debris.

         In Indonesia, three sea turtles were found dead some 150 meters off Pari Island, Seribu (One Thousand) Islands District, Jakarta, on November 27, 2018, apparently due to plastic litter found in their mouths and front claws.

         On Nov 19, a carcass of a 9.5-meter-long sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) was discovered by local fishermen, as it was washed ashore the Kapota Isle, Wakatobi District, Southeast Sulawesi. A total of 5.9 kilograms of plastic waste were found in the whale's stomach, including flip-flops and 115 drinking cups.

        As concern over plastic waste is mounting, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan has ordered inclusion of plastic waste education in the school curriculum.

SYNERGY AMONG MINISTRIES CRUCIAL TO ADDRESSING MARINE POLLUTION by Fardah

Jakarta , Nov 30,  2018  (Antara) - Three sea turtles were found dead some 150 meters off Pari Island, Seribu (One Thousand) Islands District, Jakarta, Nov 27, apparently due to plastic litter and oil spill, Jakarta Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) stated.

        The turtles were covered in mucus, and plastic litter was found in their mouths and front claws, Chief of Conservation Section of the BKSDA Office in Hajarta Ida Harwati testified.

         Earlier, on Nov 19, a carcass of a 9.5-meter-long sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) was discovered by local fishermen, as it was washed ashore the Kapota Isle, Wakatobi District, Southeast Sulawesi.

        Researchers of the Wakatobi Fisheries and Maritime Community Academy were shocked to find 5.9 kilograms of plastic waste in the whale's stomach, including flip-flops and 115 drinking cups.

        Globally, thousands of marine animals were killed by plastic wastes in ocean. Every year, some one-third of the marine biota, including coral reefs and also seabirds, die owing to plastic wastes that end up in the ocean.

        This situation is a matter of grave concern, considering that coral reefs play a major role in protecting the coast from erosion, coastal flooding, and other destructive events caused by the sea water phenomena. Coral reefs also offer food and shelter for the growth for various marine biota.

        A low turtle population is also concerning since sea turtles play a crucial role in the ecosystem by keeping the wetlands and rivers clean.      
    According to the WWF Indonesia's official website, four of the six species of sea turtles -- green turtles (Chelonia mydas), "belimbing" or leatherback turtles (Dermochelys coriacea), "sisik" or hawksbill turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata), and "lekang" or olive Ripley turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea) -- lay their eggs on Indonesian beaches.

RISING ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERN OVER PLASTIC WASTE POLLUTING INDONESIAN SEAS by Fardah

Jakarta, Nov 21, 2018 (Antara) - The carcass of a 9.5-meter-long sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) washed ashore the Kapota isle, Wakatobi District, Southeast Sulawesi, on November 19, 2018.

       Researchers of the Wakatobi Fisheries and Maritime Community Academy were shocked to find 5.9 kilograms of plastic waste in the whale's stomach, including flip-flops and 115 drinking cups.

          The giant mammal had ingested 750 grams of 115 plastic cups, 140 grams of 19 hard plastic, 150 grams of four plastic bottles, 260 grams of 25 plastic bags, six pieces of wood weighing 740 grams, two flip-flops of 270 grams, a 200-gram nylon sack, and over a thousand pieces of raffia string weighing 3,260 grams, Laode Ahyar, an official of the Wakatobi National Park, informed an Antara correspondent in Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi, on November 20, 2018.    
    The cause of the whale's death was not known, but considering the large lump of plastic waste in its stomach, it is mostly likely that the plastic waste caused the animal's death.

          This is the second whale stranded ashore the Wakatobi waters this year, after a 13-meter-long whale was found dead in the Bombana waters, last February.

         Plastic waste is littering oceans and threatening the lives of millions of marine animals. Seals, whales, dolphins, seabirds, fish, crabs, and several other marine animals are dying and falling sick after being contaminated by plastic waste, thereby raising serious environmental concern.

         Indonesia, the world's largest archipelagic nation rich in marine biodiversity, is known as one of the major producers of plastic waste.

         According to data of the Environmental Affairs and Forestry Ministry, the amount of plastic waste used in Indonesia continues to increase, from nine percent in 1995 to 16 percent this year.

       Disposable plastic bags, plastic straws, styrofoam, and plastic bottles are widely used in Indonesia, which is an oil-producing country and the world's largest archipelagic nation, with a population of some 260 million. 
   Every year, around one-third of the marine biota, including coral reefs and also seabirds, die owing to plastic wastes that end up in the ocean.

BALI GEARS UP FOR FIFTH OUR OCEAN CONFERENCE by Fardah

Jakarta, Oct 27, 2018 (Antara) - After successfully hosting the IMF-World Bank Annual Meetings in early October, Bali is currently gearing up for the implementation of the Fifth Our Ocean Conference (OOC) to be held in Nusa Dua on Oct 28-29.

        This year's OOC is themed "Our Ocean, Our Legacy," as it reflects choices and actions to maintain the sustainability of the oceans' resources and to preserve the oceans' health, as a heritage that serves as a legacy for the children and grandchildren.

       People have an option to choose the kind of legacy they will leave behind for the future generations and that choice depends on the actions they take today.

       The OOC is expected to be attended by nearly two thousand people from some 70 countries.

       At least, six heads of state and government, two vice presidents, and 36 ministers from several countries have confirmed their participation in the OOC.

        Among the leaders expected to be present are Prince Albert II of Monaco, President of Nauru Baron Waqa, President of the Republic of Palau Thomas E. Remengesau, President of Micronesia Peter Christian, President of New Caledonia Philippe Germain, President of Marshall Island Hilda Heine, Vice President of Seychelles Vincent Meriton, and Vice President of the Republic of Panama Isabel De Saint Malo de Alvarado.

        The gathering will also be attended by representatives of 200 civil society organizations and non-governmental organizations.

        To be officially opened by President Joko Widodo, the conference will present prominent keynote speakers, such as the Prince of Wales via a video message, European Commissioner for Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Karmenu Vella, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Norway Ine Eriksen Soreide, and Visiting Distinguished Statesman at Carnegie Endowment for International Peace John Kerry.

        Other speakers present at the conference will include Head of the Indonesian Board for Disaster Management (BPBN) Willem Rampangilei, former prime minister of Australia Malcolm Turnbull, coordinator of the Marine Programme World Heritage Center at UNESCO Dr Fanny Douvere, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine of Ireland Michael Creed, and Ocean Unite, and former president of Costa Rica Jose Maria Figueres.

FIFTH OUR OCEAN CONFERENCE TO ENSURE SUSTAINABLE LEGACY by Fardah

          Jakarta, Sept 29, 2018 (Antara) - Aspiring to become a global maritime axis, Indonesia, with 140 million citizens, including 2.6 million fishermen earning a livelihood from marine and coastal ecosystems, believes its future depends on oceans as two-thirds territory is water.      
     In fact, life on Earth depends on the ocean. A healthy ocean is central to human well-being. The ocean feeds billions of people, employs millions of workers, and generates trillions of dollars to the world economy.

          Lying between the Indian Ocean and Pacific Ocean, Indonesia is one of the world's largest maritime countries, with some 5.8 million square kilometers of marine territory.

          The country is entrusted to host the fifth Our Ocean Conference (OOC) to be organized in Nusa Dua, Bali, on October 29- 30, 2018.

          This year's OOC is themed "Our Ocean, Our Legacy," as it reflects choices and actions to maintain the sustainability of the oceans' resources and to preserve the ocean's health, as a heritage presented for the children and grandchildren.

          People have an option to choose the kind of legacy they will leave for the future generations; and that choice depends on the actions they take today.

          The oceans carry not only living artifacts and history but also the promise of the people's future. Its undulating vastness holds the key to economic growth, food security resources, as well as solution to curb the impact of climate change.

          However, the oceans are under immense pressure due to adverse impact of human activities. Marine pollution, bleaching coral reefs, raising sea temperature, and unsustainable fishing continue to occur. Indirect threat to the oceans also uncloaked with the recent findings on human trafficking in fishing operations, wildlife trafficking, as well as arms and drugs smuggling.

INDONESIA, FRANCE FORGE STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP TO PROTECT OCEANS by Fardah

Jakarta, March 31, 2017 (Antara) - Indonesia and France, as the world's two largest exclusive economic zone countries, share a common belief that a strategic partnership is crucial to protecting the seas and ensuring sustainability of the oceans.

         To this end, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) and his French counterpart Francois Hollande, at a bilateral meeting in Jakarta on March 29, 2017, had agreed to strengthen strategic partnerships between the two countries, mainly for developing the maritime and creative economy sectors.

         Jokowi noted that for cooperation in the maritime sector, Indonesia has called for cooperation in fighting against Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing, including categorizing IUU fishing as a transnational organized crime.

         Illegal fishing activities have risked the sustainability of oceans and harmed the fishery resources of Indonesia.

        The government has claimed that illegal fishing activities in the country's waters have caused annual losses worth hundreds of trillions of rupiah to the state.

         Hence, over the past years, Indonesia has actively cracked down on illegal fishing activities in the country's maritime territory.

INTERNATIONAL SYNERGY CRUCIAL TO COMBAT ILLEGAL FISHING by Fardah

  Jakarta, Sept 17, 2016 (Antara) - Indonesia's future depends on the ocean as two-thirds of its territory is water and at least 140 million of its people, including 2.6 fishermen, rely on marine and coastal ecosystems for their livelihood.

        Being one of the world`s largest maritime countries with about 5.8 million square kilometers of marine territory, Indonesia has abundant fishery potential, and is the world's second largest producer of wild-capture fish, according to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). 
    However, close to 65 percent of Indonesia's coral reefs are considered under threat from overfishing, while unreported and illegal fishing leads to some US$20 billion worth of lost revenue, World Bank data showed in 2015.

         Life on Earth depends on the ocean.  A healthy ocean is central to human well-being.  The ocean feeds billions of people, employs millions of workers, and generates trillions of dollars to the world economy.

          Internationally, however, between $75billion and $125 billion of global output annually goes waste due to ineffective fish stock management and illegal fishing.

         Given the enormous threat of illegal fishing activities, Indonesian Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti highlighted the issue in her presentation during 'Our Ocean' conference held in Washington DC, the United States, on September 15 and 16. 
   "Indonesia continues, and incessantly fights illegal fishing," the minister stated.

SEEKING BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF INDONESIAN SEAS THROUGH OCEANOGRAPHY EXPEDITION by Fardah

Jakarta, Sept 8, 2016 (Antara) - Indonesian waters occupy at least 70 percent of its national territory, and in most parts of the country, there are numerous aspects of livelihoods that are related to and dependent on oceans.  
    Being one of the world's largest maritime countries, with about 5.8 million square kilometers (km) of marine territory, Indonesia has around 92,000 km-long beaches and coastal areas, the second longest after Canada.  
    Indonesia is the biggest archipelagic country in the world, with around 70 percent of its territory made up of waters and it has around 17,480 islands.

         So it is normal that the country's economy traditionally depends on the oceans and its natural resources. The country's future basically lies in oceans that are expected to help sustain food security.

         A lot of researches and several expeditions have been carried out in the nation's seas, yet the ocean is mostly unexplored and hides mysteries waiting to be revealed.

         Recently, the Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry, in cooperation with the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI), launched an oceanography expedition to record information and data on maritime conditions in eastern Indonesian.  
    The expedition team had set sail from the Benoa seaport in Bali on August 27 and will take a route divided into three cruises: the Banda Sea Cruise, from August 27 to September 5; the Maluku Sea Cruise, from September 6 to 15; and the Makasar Strait and Lombok Strait, from September 20 to October 1.

         The expedition involves over 25 researchers and is using the Baruna Jaya research boat owned by LIPI, according to Zulficar Mochtar, head of the ministry's Research and Development Department.

JOKOWI'S PLEDGE TO REVIVE INDONESIA'S MARITIME SUPREMACY LAUDED by Fardah

   Jakarta, Oct 25, 2014 (Antara) - Indonesia's new President, Joko "Jokowi" Widodo, is expected to announce his cabinet that will include a minister to coordinate maritime affairs, a new portfolio to revive the glorious maritime past of the nation.

            Jokowi, throughout his election campaign, had spoken about reviving the country's past of finding riches at the sea and termed it as one of his ambitions.  
       During the times of the Sriwijaya Kingdom between the seventh and 13th century and centered in western Indonesia, the Kingdom was believed to have enjoyed maritime supremacy within the Southeast Asian region.

INDONESIA GEARS UP FOR RESEARCH IN UNEXPLORED DEEP SEA by Fardah

     Jakarta, May 19, 2014 (Antara) - Indonesia is the biggest archipelagic country in the world, with around 70 percent of its territory is waters and it has around 17,480 islands.
         Indonesia's future basically lies in oceans expected to help sustain food security. A lot of researches and economic-related activities have been carried out in shallow seas, while deep sea is mostly still unexplored and hides mysteries waiting for being revealed.
          The Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) recently announced that it would intensify deep sea research in eastern Indonesian waters.

WORLD OCEAN BUSINESS FORUM MARKS START OF WCRC by Fardah

    Jakarta, May 14, 2014 (Antara) - More than 400 participants from 24 countries attended the World Ocean Business Forum (WOBF) held in Manado, North Sulawesi, on May 14, to mark the start of the World Coral Reef Conference (WCRC) taking place until May 17, 2014.

        The forum's participants consisted of 186 Indonesians and around 250 foreigners hailing from Argentina, the United States, Australia, Brazil, the Netherlands, China, Finland, Gambia, Britain, Iraq, Germany, South Korea, Malaysia, Mauritius, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, France, the Philippines, the Seychelles, Thailand, Uganda, and Vietnam.

         They comprised diplomats, members of the international seaweed associations, the Coral Triangle Initiatives (CTI), the international ornamental fish associations, and chambers of commerce and industry, tour operators, NGO activists, academicians, researchers, scientists, as well as government officials.

HEALTHY OCEANS CRUCIAL FOR FOOD SECURITY by Fardah

    Jakarta, April 24, 2014 (Antara) -  The Global Oceans Action Summit (GOAS) for Food Security and Blue Growth has emphasized the importance of maintaining healthy oceans, where around 80 percent of all life on the planet is found, to solve one of the biggest problems of the 21st century - how to feed 9 billion people by 2050.

        "Urgent coordinated action is needed to restore the health of the world's oceans and secure the long-term well-being and food security of a growing global population," Árni M. Mathiesen, Assistant Director-General for Fisheries and Aquaculture at the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said before over 500 delegates, including 60 ministers, attending the Summit being held in the Hague, the Netherlands, April 22-25.  

INDONESIA EXPECTED TO LEAD IN FOREST AND OCEAN PROTECTION by Fardah

     Jakarta, June 11, 2013 (Antara) - To the surprises of some people, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono visited the Greenpeace ship, the Rainbow Warrior III, with his family members in Tanjung Priok Seaport in Jakarta on June 7, a day before World Oceans Day was observed.

         There had been "hate and love relations" between Indonesia and Greenpeace in the past, for instance, when the Indonesian navy escorted the Rainbow Warrior II out of its territorial waters in October 2010.

INDONESIA'S FUTURE LIES IN OCEANS by Fardah

       Jakarta, June 18, 2011 (ANTARA) - Indonesia, one of the world`s largest maritime countries with about 5.8 million square kilometers of marine territory, recently observed World Oceans Day by reminding the people of the important role of oceans for the nation`s future.
       The world`s oceans which account for about 70 percent of the Earth`s surface are essential to food security and the health and survival of all life, power the climate and are a critical part of the biosphere.

News Focus: Preserving Marine `amazon` To Curb Climate Change by Fardah

    Jakarta. March 4, 2010  (ANTARA News) - Marine Affairs and Fisheries Minister Fadel Muhammad has compared Indonesia`s marine and coastal ecosystem to the Amazon rainforests for sharing carbon sink role.
     Indonesia is one of the world`s largest maritime countries with about 5.8 million square kilometers of marine territory. Forests, oceans and adjoining marine ecosystems are like the lungs of the atmosphere.

RI, UNEP launch `Blue Carbon` global scientific assessment

    Nusa Dua, Feb 25, 2010 (ANTARA News) - Marine Affairs and Fisheries Minister Fadel Muhammad and UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner launched a global scientific assessment on `Blue Carbon` here on Thursday.
     "Indonesia, as a country having 92,000 km-long beach and coastal areas, second after Canada, wants to do more on ocean and marine ecosystems for future generations," Minister Fadel said at a press conference held on the sidelines of the 11th Special Session of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) Governing Council/Global Ministerial Environment Forum being organized on February 24-26.

News Focus: HEAL OCEANS TO SAVE PLANET EARTH by Fardah

      Jakarta, June 24, 2009 (ANTARA) - The world's oceans which cover two thirds or more than 70 percent of Earth's surface, are an important source of life. Millions of people depend on oceans and coastal areas in earning a living. 

        Indonesia, marine tourism revenue reached US$2 billion per year and the country earned around US$2.2 billion from fish exports in 2008, according to Alfred Nakatsuma, director of the Environment office of the US Agency for International Development (USAID), recently. 

News Analysis: UNEP CHIEF: IMPROVE HEALTH OF OCEAN By Achim Steiner*

     Jakarta, May 11, 2009 (ANTARA) -  As more than 120 nations gather in Manado, Indonesia for the World Oceans Conference the issue of climate change should be high on their minds.

         The world's oceans and seas are now understood to be the biggest sink of greenhouse gases from the burning of fossil fuels.