Nusa Dua (Greeners) – Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs, Luhut Pandjaitan, encourage all participants to collaborate to protect oceans, on his closing remarks for the 2018 Our Ocean Conference, in Nusa Dua, Bali.

“Oceans are future. Ninety five percent of world’s oceans have yet to be explored. We need to treat our oceans, carefully. We need to protect it because there are no countries, no organizations can solve these problems without collaboration,” said Minister Luhut on his remarks, in Nusa Dua, Bali, Tuesday (30/10/2018).

Furthermore, Minister Luhut also said to make use the networks gained from the conference to solve the issue.

“When I was in the military, I used to think that land is the King but now I am certain that ocean is the Queen. For those who understand chess [game] knows that Queen is ‘the main actor’,” he said.

READ ALSO: The 2018 Our Ocean Conference Gains 287 Commitments Worth of US$10.7 Billions 

Furthermore, Minister Luhut said that collaboration on ocean issues is a collective action in research, technology and innovation, policy, finance, and other knowledge. He said that war against plastic pollution in oceans needs coordination and consistent policy.

“There are no countries and no organizations can solve the issue with massive support. It is not enough to meet and chat. There is the need for huge support but the support can only be achieved with real actions,” he said.

He said there are opportunities for East Asia Summit member countries to collaborate. The Summit has 18 member countries, such as ASEAN countries, — Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam –, and Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, US, and Russia.

“During the EAS meeting, we discuss on how to tackle plastic waste issue. Indonesia is the largest country for plastic [waste] will turn into the champion of plastic waste solution in the future,” he said.

READ ALSO: Minister Susi: We Need Oceans More than Oceans Need Us 

At the closing ceremony of the 2018 OOC, Indonesia handed over the host of the conference to Norway marked by gave Pinisi souvenir from Foreign Minister, Retno Marsudi to Minister of Fisheries and Marine Noway, Harald T. Nesvik.

The 2019 Our Ocean Conference will be held in Norway, on October 24-25.

“Today, I handed over the host to Norway. I know that OOC is in good hands. I know how much Norway cares and loves oceans as I used to be ambassador for Norway. I know Norway’s commitment on environment, fisheries and oceans issues. To mark the handover, I want to give Pinisi boat as the symbol of Indonesians maritime journey and our commitment on oceans issues and friendships,” said Minister Retno.

Reports by Dewi Purningsih

Nusa Dua (Greeners) – The 2018 Our Ocean Conference, attended by 1,500 participants of 43 countries, in Nusa Dua, Bali, had managed to gain 287 commitments worth of US$10.7 billion and 14 millions square kilometers of Marine Conservation Areas.

“These numbers exceed our expectations. We are grateful for the collective contributions in determining oceans future and its biodiversity to be more sustainable managed,” said Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Susi Pudjiastuti, in the Global Ocean Leadership Panel, in the 2018 Our Ocean Conference, in Nusa Dua, Bali, on Tuesday (30/10/2018).

READ ALSO: Minister Susi: We Need Oceans More than Oceans Need Us 

Minister Susi said that current marine condition as one of source of human life is concerning. It is due to plastic waste in the oceans. These plastics will be decompose into micro-plastic consume by fishes. This will harm humans who eat the fishes contaminated by micro-plastic.

Illegal fishing also a threat for marine. Minister Susi said that 93 percent of fish in Indonesia is exploited using not environmentally friendly tools by illegal fishermen. Nevertheless, Indonesia has protected oceans and tackle illegal fishing resulted to 448 illegal fishing boats being drowned and the government also issued a-year-moratorium against foreign vessels to operate. In addition, Indonesia has banned fish nets that are damaging for oceans.

“We need to realize that oceans don’t need us but we need oceans. Oceans are able to heal themselves if given the opportunities,” said Minister Susi.

READ ALSO: President Widodo : OOC is the Driver of Mental Revolution for Marine Protection 

Since 2014, the first conference, to 2017, OOC has gathered 663 commitments with a third or 206 commitments being achieved. It shows that a third of world’s countries have committed to protect oceans.

Anastasia Kusumawardani, the 2018 commitment guard team, said that the commitments are not longer dominated by governments, but also from NGOs, private sectors, philanthropy, or individuals at this year’s conference.

“Indonesia as the host of 2018 OOC also gives a surprise by delivering to 23 commitments, meanwhile in the 2017 OOC in Malta, Indonesian government had only conveyed to ten commitments. For this year, Indonesia’s commitment for marine protection has reached to US$500 million,” said Kusumawardani, on Tuesday (30/10/2018).

Meanwhile, Ramon Van Bernfeld, International Relation Officer of European Union, praised Indonesia’s efforts to hold the 2018 OOC which could resulted to more events and participants compare to previous years.

“We appreciate Indonesian government hard work,” said van Bernfeld.

Reports by Dewi Purningsih

Jakarta (Greeners) – Following recent boat crash on Raja Ampat coral reef, Indonesian Biodiversity Foundation (Kehati) set up a trust fund focusing on sea patrol and people empowerment, said an activist, in Jakarta, on Monday (20/3).

Since 2004, Raja Ampat had inspired the establishment of multi-partner conservation initiative by Conservation International (CI), The Nature Conservancy (TNC), and World Wildlife Fund (WWF) which aim to protect Bird’s Head Seascape (BLKB).

“We are designing funding scheme but it will be focusing on sea patrol security funding and people’s empowerment for economic improvement,” said MS Sembiring, executive director of Kehati.

BLKB comprises of 2,500 islands and home to 75 percent of world’s coral reefs with Raja Ampat has more than 225,000 square meters.

Sembiring said that the hit was valuable lesson learned as it would take long time to restore the coral reefs.

READ ALSO: Indonesian Government Prepares Legal Instrument To Charge Caledonian Sky

The fund, dubbed as Blue Abadi Trust Fund, aim to manage 38 million dollar with Kehati is trusted as the administrator. The foundation is cooperating with other conservation agencies, such as CI, TNC and WWF.

Currently, 12 marine conservation areas have become the support for protection and preservation managed by regional service agency (BLUD). The initiative is actively encouraging and empowering people as main actors for sustainable marine management.

Furthermore, Sembiring said Caledonian Sky case should be an indicator for on-going improvement and asked all stakeholders and agencies working in marine tourism sectors to continuously evaluate and set up restoration plans.

“How much we loss from the hit compare to the yacht’s income. We need to underline that there should be an agreement from all stakeholders on special management on touristic site considered as high conservation value such as in Raja Ampat,” he said.

READ ALSO: Government Set Up Team To Investigate British Yacht Crashed in Raja Ampat Coral Reefs

Arif Havas Oegroseno, deputy of maritime security of coordinating ministry of maritime affairs, said that his office would review visitors’ access to Raja Ampat conservation areas following the incident to prevent more destruction.

“There are two prevention. The first, review access on the area which will be submitted to minister of marine affairs and fisheries,” said Oegroseno. “Second, ministry of transportation will follow up on the review.”

Based on Ministry of Environment and Forestry data, coral reefs hit by the yacht covered 13,552 square meter, divided into two types, — 13.4 meter times 22.8 meter cracked reefs and long break resulted from the sliding which reached to 50 meters.

“So, the total of 13,522 square meters and it is predicted 20 years to return damaged coral reefs to grow back. The data is important for coordination among government agencies. Hence, government’s data and evidence presented are strong,” said Karliansyah, a senior official at Ministry of Environment and Forestry.

Reports by Danny Kosasih

Nusa Dua (Greeners) – Despite of 70 percent water or ocean areas, more than 95 percent global economy runs in terrestrial areas. With vast areas comes huge responsibility, especially in tackling ocean waste, which is now a global issue.

Coordinating Minister of Maritime Issues, Luhut Binsar Panjaitan, said that with its status as a nation with more than 17,000 islands, Indonesia has been committed to deal with issues such as over fishing and illegal fishing, plastic waste and educational programs on ocean.

“Education is important as without it, problems of oceans will not be recognized or let along being solved. To understand about the environment, people must know what is environment. It is to prevent more damage. On ocean, we will be focusing on infrastructure and of course, tourism,” said Panjaitan, at the World Ocean Summit 2017, in Nusa Bali, on Thursday (23/2).

READ ALSO: VP Jusuf Kalla: Maritime Development Requires Connectivity

Furthermore, he said that economic growth must be in line with environment conservation and sustainable marine investment as Indonesia has understood its environmental responsibilities.

In addition, infrastructure development would be the main concentration considering vast islands of the country.

“So, we will start with infrastructure, we will develop sea tolls to strengthen our economy. But, at the same time, our economic growth increase,” he said.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh’s Minister of Environment and Forestry, Anwar Hossein Manju, said that data and facts have shown world’s oceans in peril. Consequently, talking about economic growth and environment protection must go hand-in-hand.

READ ALSO: Climate Change Agreement Faces Stumbling Block At Local Level

Bangladesh, which has established a national committee on climate change and took up active role at Conference of the Party/United Nations for Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC), was hoping that climate change, especially blue carbon, emitted from oceans, can draw attention to all parties, developed and developing countries.

“World Ocean Summit 2017 is important for Bangladesh and I agree for a balance growth. However, at the same time, we could not ignore the impacts,” he said. “That is why we have issued many regulations to support these two as we realized both are important for the world.”

Ana Paula Vitorino, Portugal’s Minister of Fisheries, has different perspective on marine issue. Vitorino said from young generation, marine issues, may it be economics, conservation, or waste, will generate interests.

She said internet era, where connectivity was fast, the government could no longer apply conservative approach on the issue.

“We are not just talking about over fishing or ocean waste but we also talk about traditional culture, energy such as liquid natural gas (LNG) and many more,” she said. “We also prepare our country on education programs, such as Ocean Literacy as industry world needs to shift its direction. Look at transportation sector, they have been eyeing on water.”

READ ALSO: Small Scale Fisheries Threatened by Projects Claimed as Mitigation Efforts

The Economist World Ocean Summit is a global conference on ocean issues attended by more than 300 participants of 58 countries, including ministers of ocean countries, investors, business leaders, young generation focusing on oceans, civil organizations, and scientific community, on building constructive dialog and create solution based on blue economy.

World Ocean Summit 2017, held by the Economist, started on February 22 to 24 at Sofitel Bali, Nusa Dua, Bali.

Reports by Danny Kosasih

Jakarta (Greeners) – The finding of a finless porpoise in Kubu Raya waters, of Padang Tikar subdistrict, West Kalimantan province, had added the marine biodiversity importance to the area following the finding of Irrawaddy dolphin, or locally known as pesut by WWF-Indonesia since 2011.

Head of West Kalimantan Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA), Sustyo Iriyono, said that these findings worth to be proud of as it would make Kubu Raya as high conservation areas, marine and terrestrial.

From 88 cetaceans, 34 species is found in Indonesia of which three of them are found in Kubu Raya district with complete composition.

READ ALSO: No Accurate Information on Indonesia’s Marine Ecosystem, Scientist Says

Action plans to raise awareness and socialization on the marine mammals, said Iriyono, needs to done as they are protected under the 1990 Law on Conservation and the 1999 Presidential Regulation on Plants and Animals Preservation.

“People needs to protect and conserve the habitat so it can be named as Essential Ecosystem Area,” he added in a press release to Greeners, on Thursday (10/11).

Finless porpoise. Photos: West Kalimantan Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA)

Meanwhile Albertus Tiju, Program Manager of West Kalimantan Chapter, WWF-Indonesia, said that Kubu Raya biodversity required comprehensive conservation efforts and WWF-Indonesia had declared it as high conservation areas, dubbed as Kubu Landscape, in 2015.

“Landscape based management is part of WWF-Indonesia strategy to create effective management,” Tiju said.

Furthermore, he said that the finding of finless porpoise had been confirmed through DNA test by West Kalimantan BKSDA, WWF-Indonesia, and Indonesian Biodiversity Research Center of Udayana University for the past seven months.

“DNA test on the finless porpoise found in Kubu Raya waters is very crucial considering lack of data on this species in the world,” he added.

READ ALSO: In Indonesia, Protected Whale Shark Available for Tourists Under These Terms

Finless porpoise is the smallest Cetacean with less than two meters long. Other Cetaceans are whale, dolphin, and Irrawaddy dolphin.

Porpoise, said Tiju, different from other Cetacean was shy and less acrobatic species, so rarely can be found in the surface, except for breathing, compare to its cousin, dolphin who was more interactive and loves to jump high so easy to spot.

Consequently, it’s researching porpoise is very hard to do with minimum interaction with humans. No other countries, including Indonesia, have documented the species thoroughly.

“For us, finding this species in Kubu Raya add more important information on finless porpoise’s existence in Indonesia,” he said adding that the finding will be reported to the 2nd Southeast Asian Marine Mammal Stranding Network Symposium – Workshop – Training.

Report by Danny Kosasih

Jakarta (Greeners) – Despite of being stipulated by the law, information on marine conservation and research in Indonesia are still difficult to get resulting to waste of time, energy, and money, said a senior scientist, in Jakarta, on Tuesday (21/6).

Iskandar Zulkarnaen, head of Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI), said that lack of information had also resulted to the inability to produce accurate and proper policies in relation to marine conservation and research.

As a result, his institute has been collecting data on population and types of marine biodiversity in Indonesia which are still rare compare to terrestrial data. With current marine data, Zulkarnaen added, it would be difficult to monitor its biodiversity.

READ ALSO : Management of Seven National Marine Parks is Under Ministry of Environment and Forestry

“We still do not have accurate data on [marine] biodiversity and we are still concentrating on developing its data base. If the data was not gathered properly, we would not be able to see the trends of its growth or [monitor] the damages,” he said adding that they already have better data for coral reefs compare to other marine species.

One Map Policy

Agus Darmawan, Secretary of Marine Space Directorate General, Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, said that there was little data on Indonesia’s marine biodiversity.

Darmawan said that National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas), LIPI and other agencies have mapped out Indonesia Biodiversity for the next ten years but it is still collecting data.

“Currently, the government is encouraging for one map policy which aimed to be a single source to determine and produce policies. It is resulted from ministries and other agencies tend to issue different data of their own,” he said.

READ ALSO : UNEA-2 Supports Indonesia’s Sustainable Coral Reef Management

The data difference, said Darmawan, because of using different scientific approaches from different departments. There should be a national policy, he said, to determine the standard of scientific approach in relation to study Indonesia’s marine biodiversity.

“With one map policy, data from different departments and agencies will be concentrated and integrated. It would be easier then to collect data of marine biodiversity. We are currently discussing this at the ministry of marine affairs and fisheries,” he said.

Oceanography Research Center, under LIPI, has been appointed by Geospatial Information Agency, as the data guardian for Coral Reef and Seagrass Ecosystem.

“Current status for coral reef, between 1993 and 2015, is five percent in excellent condition, 27 percent in good condition, 37 percent in bad condition, and 31 percent in worst condition,” said Zulkarnain.

Reports by Danny Kosasih