Science institute opens 3 marine research posts
Science institute opens 3 marine research posts
JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Institute for Science has three
new oceanic research stations that will enable it to study,
conserve and tap marine resources in eastern Indonesian waters.
The three stations in Bitung (North Sulawesi), Tual (Maluku)
and Biak (Irian Jaya) were symbolically inaugurated from the
oceanic research center in Ancol, Jakarta, by the institute's
chairman Samaun Samadikun on Thursday.
Built at a combined cost of Rp 1.5 billion ($720,000), each of
the three new stations has a different mission.
The Tual facility will be used primarily for the research and
development of marine farming technology.
In cooperation with the Maluku provincial administration, the
institute will conduct research on algae, tropical fish and coral
reefs in the area. The facility will also be used to explore the
potential of marine tourism in Ambon.
The Bitung research station will be used for research on
marine biodiversity, not only those found in Sulawesi and its
surrounding waters but also marine biodiversity found in other
parts of Indonesia.
The Biak station will be used for research on pelagic fish
species. In addition, in cooperation with the Agency for the
Research and Application of Technology and international
environmental agencies, the station will be monitoring weather
changes.
In his address, Samaun said these facilities are located in
eastern Indonesia because the region is home to vast marine
resources which could be tapped to improve the livelihood of the
local people. "The resources have not been fully exploited
because we don't have the technological know-how to utilize them
for national development," he said.
Ono Kurnain Sumadiharga, head of the oceanographic research
center in Ambon which operates the three stations, said the
institute still needs more funds and personnel to operate the
three facilities. "Ideally, each center should have at least ten
researchers, not just two, as they do know," he said.
The institute is planning to build three similar facilities in
Lombok (West Nusa Tenggara), Riau and Bengkulu.
The Lombok facility will be used for marine biotechnology
development, the one in Riau to monitor sea pollution and the
Bengkulu facility for research of equatorial waves on the
southern Indian Ocean, he said.
The institute also has a center for coral reef ecosystem
research on the Seribu Islands off Jakarta and operates three
research ships and two motor boats for its oceanic research
activities.(rms)