Workshop on the environment

JAKARTA: A local environmental group, the Yayasan Laut Lestari Indonesia (YLLI) is holding a workshop on fauna, flora and the sea beginning yesterday and lasting through Nov. 15 in Pulau Air, one of the Seribu Islands, North Jakarta.

Rampant illegal fishing activities prompted the YLLI to organize the workshop, YLLI chairman Elshinta Suyoso said in a statement.

She said illegal fishing practices at sea are so rife they have seriously endangered the maritime environment. "Many of them (fish poachers) are using poisonous chemicals."

Elshinta said Minister of Environment Sarwono Kusumaatmadja fully endorses the holding of the workshop. (bas)