Fishermen voice concern over sea erosion

TANGERANG (JP): Dozens of fishermen from Tanjung Anom village in the Mauk subdistrict in Tangerang complained over the increasing threats of sea erosion and floods during the east wind season which brings in high tides and strong winds.

The lack of a natural sea barrier as a result of the continued destruction of mangrove forests, the operation of strong sand- quarry ships and illegal fishing vessels known locally as pukat harimau, adds to the erosion and floods.

"Residents have been forced to move home because the land has been swept away by floods and strong sea waves," 30-year-old fisherman Karjo said on Saturday.

"During the strong east wind season, the water can reach up to our knees at night. We're worried all the time," he said.

The Tangerang regency houses at least five fishery locations: Dadap, Tanjung Pasir, Surya Bahari, Mauk and Kronjo.

It is reported that sea erosion had been occurring since 1985. Tanjung Anom was popular as recreational site, but it was abandoned by investors in 1995 due to bankruptcy.

"From 1978 to 1995 this place was always packed with visitors. But tourism has decreased," Karjo said, adding that the area was later hit by continuous environmental damages.

Rahman, another fisherman, said floods usually occurred between July and August. "And the ones who suffer the most are those living on dry land," he said.

Besides erosion, traditional fishermen also suffer from the mass operation of strong fishery vessels, "pukat harimau", which net enormous amounts of fish in one catch.

"We have to compete with them. Those ships are illegal but nobody can stop them.

"The vessels' huge nets often destroyed the fishermen's nets and ruined the sea's wildlife," Rahman said, adding that such ships came from Brebes and Cirebon.

He said the operation of sand-quarry ships in the past five months had also disturbed the locals.

"In just one day they can operate 20 ships," he said.

Sea erosion also creates clean water problems for local residents as every day families have to pay Rp 1,000 per bucket of fresh water, which can only be used for two days. As for taking showers and cleaning, residents have to use salty water.

Edi Kasiyanto, head of the Environmental Impact Agency's office here, said local the administration was planning to build a two-kilometer sea barrier to hold back strong waves along the beach in the Mauk subdistrict.

"But we don't know for sure when the construction will take place. This project needs a big budget and the West Java provincial administration's approval," he said.

He said a plantation program to green a 25-hectare plot in the Teluk Naga and Mauk areas would start next month.

The chief of the Fishery Agency here, Sesmu Hardjo, said the sea barrier was badly needed by the locals to avoid erosion.

"Ideally a port or a small canal must be built to berth the ships so they will be safe, especially during strong winds," he said. (41/edt)