Thousand Islands' reefs in trouble<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Uncontrolled harvest of corals for export has
\nleft about 75 percent of the coral reefs in the Thousand Islands,
\nnorth of Jakarta, in a deplorable condition, an official said.<\/p>\n
The corals are mostly exported to Europe and sold as aquarium
\ndecorations, Djafar Tirtosentono, chief of the Thousand Islands
\nTourism Association, said Monday.<\/p>\n
Coral reefs are one of the main tourist attractions in the
\nisland group, which is a popular weekend destination for wealthy
\nJakarta residents.<\/p>\n
\"Now that only 25 percent of coral reefs around the islands
\nare left intact, what is left to attract tourists?\" Djafar said
\nas quoted by Antara.<\/p>\n
Djafar called on companies licensed to exploit the coral reefs
\nto stop their operations.<\/p>\n
Fishermen who cast their nets in shallow water also contribute
\nto the damage, he said.<\/p>\n
Djafar criticized the government for issuing permits allowing
\ncompanies to exploit coral reefs, despite the fact that Indonesia
\nhas ratified an international convention on the trade in
\nendangered flora and fauna.<\/p>\n
\"The government allows harvest of certain types of coral, but
\ncompanies harvest all corals indiscriminately because the
\nauthorities are unable to supervise their operations,\" he said.<\/p>\n
\"Money is all that they think about and they do not care about
\nthe long term effect they have on the reefs.\"<\/p>\n
According to Djafar, about 41 percent of Indonesia's coral
\nreefs have been badly damaged due to uncontrolled exploitation
\nand fish bombing. Coral exports between 1992 and 1997 earned
\nIndonesia only US$10 million, a pittance in comparison to the
\nrevenues generated annually by tourists, many of whom are
\nattracted here by Indonesia's beautiful and diverse marine life.<\/p>\n
Some companies buy corals from fishermen then export them to
\nEurope, he added. (pan)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/thousand-islands-reefs-in-trouble-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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