Jakarta (VNA) – The Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries of Indonesia has strengthened its commitment to conserving marine ecosystems by adding two new conservation areas in the waters of Bintan of Riau Islands, and Bitung of North Sulawesi province.
Director general of marine and marine space management at the ministry Victor Gustaaf Manoppo was quoted by local media as saying in a statement released on February 13 that conservation areas play an important role in protecting the marine ecosystem, including coral reefs, seagrass meadows, and mangrove forests, as well as supporting sustainable fisheries and tourism.
The new conservation area in Bintan measures nearly 843,610 hectares and comprises the core zone, limited utilisation zone, and rehabilitation zone. The waters have ecosystem uniqueness that includes the habitats of sea turtles and various other marine life.
Meanwhile, the new conservation area in the waters of Bitung spans almost 9,660 hectares and comprises three zones. It is aimed at preserving the sustainability of the coral reef ecosystem and encouraging responsible marine and marine tourism activities.
In the same statement, the ministry's director of marine ecosystem and biota conservation, Firdaus Agung, said that in keeping with the ministerial decree, the management of those conservation areas will be carried out by local administrations.
He further said that with the addition of two conservation areas, Indonesia's total marine conservation area has surpassed 30 million hectares, almost reaching the national 2030 target of 32.5 million hectares.
Agung noted that the decision is expected to boost the effectiveness of conservation area management as well as encourage the active roles of various stakeholders in preserving marine resources./.
