Sorong, Ekuatorial – Despite of its vast ocean areas, Indonesia has only managed to map out three conservation boundaries areas.
“Mapping out the boundary of ocean conservation and small islands are very important because they are acknowledged [by the government],” said M. Saefudin of Conservation Area and Fish Type, Ministry of Marine and Fisheries, in Sorong, Wednesday (3/6).
Saefudin added that these coordinates will be included at the ocean navigation map which will eventually provide accurate information to vessels on certain conservation location. In addition, the boundaries can give legal strength and evidence if there are violations.
Unfortunately, only three areas, in Batang, Sabang, and Nusa Penida, have been mapped out. However, Saefudin said that they were in the process to map out Bentang Laut Kepala Burung conservation area in West Papua. Niken Proboretno