Government kicks off marine parks expedition
JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Marzuki Usman launched on Friday an international program aimed at protecting and promoting indigenous cultures and the marine environment.
The Marine Parks of Indonesia project, which will involve a marine expedition to marine wildlife centers, is a cooperative project of the government and Singapore's Raffles Marina Ltd for marine conservation, marine tourism and ecotourism.
The authorities, business community and experts will be involved. A main objective is to develop the country and Southeast Asia as a world-class hub for marine recreational activities.
"This is a meaningful program, and I hope local people will support the expedition team in their work," Marzuki said.
The cruise will start on Oct. 3 in Manado, North Sulawesi, and end in Ujungkulon, West Java, in December. It will cover the marine parks of Bunaken, Takabonerate, Wakatobi, West Bali, Baluran, Karimun Jawa, the Thousand Islands and Ujungkulon.
Minor expeditions will be organized in Riau, the Anambas Islands and Irian Jaya.
The expedition, including five main vessels manned by a 100- strong crew, will be supported by the National University of Singapore, National Geographic Channel Asia, privately owned companies and marine experts.
Director General of Tourism I Gede Ardika said the ministry played only a facilitating role in the program.
"The program is a nonprofit project. As such, we hope businesses will take part in sponsoring the program," Ardika added.
Indonesia's Navy will take part in the expedition, fielding a number of vessels, including the famed KRI Arung Samudera.
Indonesia is the second project in the Aseanarean Expedition series after an expedition to Thailand's marine parks. Next to be explored is the Philippines.
Raffles Marina's president Francis Lee, who also is the expedition leader, said costs of the Thai program reached US$100,000, which were all covered by sponsors.
Lee devised Aseanarean together with Singaporean marine biologist Chou Loke Ming.
He said a documentary would be made of the expeditions for prime-time screening on National Geographic Channel. The results of the cruise will be published and distributed regionwide. The film also will be documented by CD-Rom.
Lee said "Aseanarean" referred to the seas surrounding the 10 countries in the region.
"The name rhymes with and will rival the Mediterranean and the Caribbean as the most successful, exotic and exciting region of the world," Lee said at the news conference.
The expedition team's data stated that Southeast Asian waters are home to 2,500 fish species and 500 species of hard coral. In comparison, the Caribbean has 600 fish species and 100 species of hard coral, and the Mediterranean has fewer.(01)