NTB Prepares Mechanism for Resolving Marine Spatial Disputes
Mataram — The Government of West Nusa Tenggara Province (NTB) is preparing a mechanism for resolving disputes over marine spatial utilisation through a draft Gubernatorial Regulation as a step to strengthen oversight and law enforcement in the maritime sector.
Muslim, head of the NTB Marine and Fisheries Service, stated that the regional government has completed finalisation of the draft Gubernatorial Regulation on administrative sanctions and dispute resolution.
“This regulation will serve as the legal basis for implementing oversight and enforcement of sanctions against various violations in the marine and fisheries sector,” he said in a statement in Mataram on Tuesday.
Muslim emphasised that every business operator utilising marine space and coastal areas for business activities must bear responsibility for environmental conservation and consider the interests of surrounding communities.
According to him, marine spatial utilisation must be conducted wisely and sustainably to ensure marine and fisheries resources are preserved for future generations.
“The provisions contained in this regulation need to be aligned between oversight objects and potential violations that may occur, so that the oversight mechanism and application of sanctions can run more effectively,” Muslim said.
He further stressed that the provisions in the draft Gubernatorial Regulation form part of mitigation measures to anticipate various potential problems that could emerge in marine spatial management.
Once the regulatory draft document meets technical substance and legal drafting standards, the next stage of discussion will be conducted with the Directorate General of Marine and Fisheries Resource Supervision at the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP).
Muslim emphasised the importance of inter-departmental coordination in the process of formulating and implementing policy, so that the resulting regulation can provide optimal benefits in the long term.
“The regional government’s expectation is that this regulation will have a strong legal foundation for conducting oversight, enforcement, and dispute resolution should violations occur in the utilisation of marine and fisheries resources in NTB,” he said.
Based on Regional Regulation Number 5 of 2024 on Spatial Planning for the Region 2024-2044, NTB is an archipelagic province with a marine area of 2.79 million hectares and a land area of 1.96 million hectares.
NTB comprises Lombok Island and Sumbawa Island along with 401 surrounding small islands. The Wallace Line, which passes through NTB, bestows a legacy of natural resources and abundant biodiversity, including marine ecosystems with significant maritime potential and forests.