Indonesia's marine ecosystem in jeopardy

Indonesia's marine ecosystem in jeopardy

AMBON (JP): State Minister of Environment Sarwono
Kusumaatmadja expressed concern Saturday over the alarming rate
of pollution and destruction in the marine ecosystems of various
parts of the country.

Sarwono blamed most of the environmental degradation on poorly
checked and coordinated development activities. He also lashed
out at the private companies that have developed coastal areas
without considering the impact of their activities on the
environment, Antara reported.

Some of the most badly degraded coasts are in northern Java,
Bali, South Sulawesi, North Sulawesi and in the Ambon Bay, the
minister said at the opening of a seminar on the marine ecosystem
in Ambon.

The seminar was organized by the Indonesia Sea Foundation and
Hualopu Foundation, in cooperation with the Office of the State
Minister of Environment.

Sarwono told some 150 participants that environmental problems
remained unresolved partly because of lack of government control,
poor law enforcement, limited human resources and insufficient
supporting facilities.

The efforts to cope with the problems are further complicated
by poor public awareness and understanding and weak support from
Non-Governmental Organizations, Sarwono said.

Sarwono, however, admitted that limited public environmental
awareness had much to do with poverty.

He said it was time for Indonesia to involve the public
through the Sea Security Program (Siskamla) so as to deal with
marine pollution and the destruction of Indonesia's marine
ecosystem in line with government's commitment to sustainable
development.

"It is necessary to start the public action soon because of
the pressing problem of pollution and the destruction of our seas
and their coasts," he said.

The seminar will be followed by activities like the regreening
of coastal areas and monitoring of marine pollution, which will
hopefully involve the public.

"It is necessary to realize the importance of coasts and seas,
especially coral reefs and mangrove, to human life," Sarwono
said.

Hundreds of coral reefs have been destroyed by fishermen who
use explosives to catch fish, while some coastal areas are eroded
due to the illegal felling of mangrove trees, he added. (sim)