900 marine species endangered

KUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara: The Komodo National Park and the seas near Flores Island boasts 900 marine species which have to be protected, a local official said yesterday.

Chief of the Manggarai regency tourism office, Polce Boleng, said the species were identified by a World Bank team that conducted a study on coral reefs and marine life there last year.

The study focused on the future of the Komodo dragon habitat in 25 years to come.

Boleng said that the marine species are under threat due to widespread blasting for fish in the area. He suggested that the local government step up its preservation efforts to safeguard the Komodos and marine species.

"I have proposed that the Navy set up a monitoring post in Labuan Bajo to discourage the use of explosive to catch fish in the protected area," he was quoted by Antara as saying.

The number of visitors to the Komodo park and other tourists spots in Labuan Bajo increases every year. Last year, 27,000 foreign tourists and 1,500 local tourists visited the park. (pan)