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)