Government kicks off marine parks expedition
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)