Divers, villagers join forces to rebuild reefs

Marnix Beugel, Contributor The Jakarta Post, Sunda Strait, West Java

Experienced volunteer divers, along with the assistance of local villagers, have constructed an artificial reef in the Sunda Strait under the Build Your Own Reef project organized by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Indonesia. These "man-made" reefs will accelerate the restoration of the area's marine life and ecosystem while supporting the local fishing communities.

The WWF organized the first Build Your Own Reef weekend over May 19-20 in the strait, the waterway between the islands of Java and Sumatra famed for being the site of the very active Krakatau volcano group, as well as the vast Ujung Kulon National Park.

Pulau Badul, located in the bay of the park on the southwestern tip of Java, was chosen as the site for this project.

The reef surrounding the tiny island, tipping just above sea level at high tide, had almost been completely destroyed by fish bombing five years ago. It has been protected since, but the recovery of the reef has been slow, due to its near state of total devastation.

Fish bombing is a common practice in Indonesia, as well as other parts of the world. Fishermen use explosives to kill fish, which then come floating to the surface, and the fishermen make their pick.

However, the bombs kill everything: smaller fish and other marine life, soft corals and hard corals -- sadly, none of it of any commercial interest. When the fishermen collect their catch, they leave behind anything other than the bigger edible fish, together with the reef, now a graveyard.

The devastation hits all non-targeted marine life in much greater numbers than the few targeted fish. Even worse, it destroys an entire system, leaving nothing but lifeless ruins for years to come.

The practice is being increasingly monitored by authorities, but is very difficult to eliminate, all the more so in a country as poorly policed and difficult to govern as Indonesia.

Thus, the sustainability of this project depends on the local community taking ownership.

With a purely correctional method not a viable option, the WWF has been working tirelessly on involving locals as much as possible and ensuring that the villagers profit from the projects economically.

This alternative income for local villagers would come from a variety of sources, such as coral farming, which produces the colonies used for reef building. In the case of this particular trip, 40 percent of the weekend's proceeds were used to pay the coastal villagers for their "products" -- coral -- and associated costs.

As yet, a coral farmer cannot generate enough income from the farming alone to sustain himself, so it should be supplemented by other means, such as fishing. But with villagers now actively involved in the farming, which provides at least some of their income, this is hoped to lessen their need for fish bombing.

A second source of income is tourism, but this is a longer-term goal. Tourism is always a double-edged sword because it can cause destruction on its own, but it can also improve the sustainability of marine life, as in the case of the Maledives.

The WWF projects in Ujung Kulon have already drawn the attention of some avid divers, who sometimes stay in the villages, rent local boats and explore other parts of the area. If the total area could be developed in a sustainable way, the benefits of tourism would most likely far outweigh any destruction it could bring.

Without these alternative income sources, the fishermen tend to encroach not only marine but also terrestrial areas of the park. The ecological benefits thus reach much further than the sea.

The organization also sought a commercial partner who would invest in this project by attracting others to contribute, and received generous support from several companies.

Live-aboard organizer Java Sea Charters provided the luxury Cecelia Ann charter boat, operating the weekend at a loss; the Blue Bird transportation group provided buses for the 4-hour return trip to and from Tanjung Lesung.

In addition, Unilever's latest Calbee Minori snacks were the answer to divers' munchies, Kristal Klear Divers provided extra tanks, and local beer brewer Bintang opened the taps for liquid sustenance for the hard-working reef builders.

The reef-building group's first dive at Pulau Badul was to demonstrate what can be done when humans interfere subtly to give nature a little help.

In one part of the island, the WWF had constructed several artificial reefs made from concrete hollow cubes. Their pyramidal shapes provide an optimal surface area for coral to grow while providing fish with a shielded area.

Only one year after construction, these artificial reefs showed a remarkably rich marine life, including colorful, young hard and soft corals, plenty of lionfish, schools of catfish and shrimp.

The reef the divers were to build was slightly different: Small hard and soft coral colonies were attached to bricks, which were in turn attached to concrete bed-shaped structures. Aside from the pyramidal reefs already in place, these colonies should give the corals' development a jump start.

Within one day of promoting the reef-building weekend among leisure divers, the trip was overbooked. Scuba divers apparently did not want only to "consume" marine life as passive viewers, but also wanted a chance for an active role in maintaining marine biodiversity.

In evaluating the weekend afterwards, all divers agreed that they were greatly concerned about the devastation of marine life around the globe. Many also admitted that their efforts might be for "selfish" reasons -- they wanted to be able to keep on diving with turtles, tuna and trevally, and gliding weightlessly by beautiful corals.

They also agreed that, for a change, working during a dive to do their part toward marine conservation gave them as much satisfaction as the more well-known divers' kicks like large shark encounters or the joy of lounging with gentle, giant manta rays.

The raving feedback from the weekend's participants -- and the overbooking prior to the trip -- have prompted a decision to organize the event on a more regular basis. Logically, these repeat trips will include monitoring the development of the recently built reefs.

WWF Indonesia has set up a page on their general website dedicated to the reef-building project at www.wwf.or.id/BuildReef.

The site also provides information on other WWF projects, as well as what individuals can do for the oceans, such as the Sea Food Guide on which species to eat and not to eat.

It is the small steps taken by many that will go a long way in sustaining marine life -- and the environment.

For more information on the project and the next reef-building weekend, contact Adhi of WWF Indonesia at ahariyadi@wwf.or.id.

Indonesia accepted into IOTC

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesia, after four years of attempts, has finally been accepted as the 27th member of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC), Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Freddy Numbery said here overnight.

In a working meeting with the House of Representatives (DPR) Commission IV, the minister said the Indonesian entry into the IOTC was a sign of the country's commitment to continually cooperating with other countries in the exploitation of tuna fish resources in the Indian Ocean.

"In addition, Indonesia's membership in IOTC is also a sign of its commitment to stepping up the effort to cope with illegal tuna fishing in the Indian Ocean," Freddy Numbery said.

Meanwhile, Fisheries Affairs Director General Ali Supardan said Indonesia's membership in IOTC was of great advantage in saving time and money in the research and collection of fishing data.

Ali Supardan said it was also useful in the exploitation of Total Allowable Catch (TAC), Monitoring, Controlling and Surveylance (MCS), and law enforcement.

"The most important thing for Indonesia is that it can have an access to sell tuna fish at international market," Ali said, adding that Indonesia's membership in IOTC was strengthened by the issuance of Presidential Regulation No.9/2007 on the agreement to form Indian Ocean Tuna Commission, and its 11th annual conference on May 13-18 in Mauritius.

Government urged to develop neglected fishery ports

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - House of Representatives` fishery commission has called on the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (DKP) to give a priority to the development of fishery ports which have been neglected in a number of regions in Indonesia.

The appeal was made in a hearing between the House`s Commission IV and the Minister for Maritime and Fishery Affairs Freddy Numberi here on Monday night.

"The government in 2008 should give priorities to the development of fishery ports which have been neglected so far," Commission IV chairman Yusuf Faishal said.

The working meeting between the government and the House discussed the ministry`s proposed allocations for the revised 2007 state budget as well as draft budget for 2008.

The DKP was proposing a budget of Rp500 billion for the development of fishery ports in the country in 2008.

DKP`s Director General for Fish Catch, Ali Supardan said his ministry`s proposed budget was to be used to develop ocean-going fishery ports (PPS), fish-unloading ports (PPI) and fish-auction ports (TPI).

"Fishery ports that the government will give priorities in the 2008 stage budget are those located in disadvantaged regions and in Indonesia`s outlying areas," he said.

Survivor recounts days at sea

Andi Hajramurni, The Jakarta Post, Makassar, Jakarta

Syamsuddin has to live with regret. The survivor of a sinking fishing boat in the waters of Pangkajene Island regency, South Sulawesi, failed to save two sisters who were swept from his arms into the sea.

The 31-year-old crew member of the vessel, which capsized in rough waters Wednesday night with more than 30 people aboard including six crew members, failed to rescue Ira, 30, and her sister Jasirah, 14.

When the boat capsized, he managed to reach the two victims and another girl, 13-year-old Heny.

"I saw Ira, Jasirah and Heny. I took off my shirt and trousers and threw them toward the three to pull them closer to me.

"I told them to hang on to my neck ... but suddenly, several big waves came. Ira and Jasirah slipped away, I didn't see them again... but I saw Heny," Syamsuddin said.

He searched for the two but could not find them in the dark.

In the water, he later met another crew member, Daeng Mattu Beta, and four other passengers.

They spotted bamboo debris from the boat and in a desperate moment, gathered and turned it into a simple raft, measuring only three square meters.

Without food and sleep, and drinking only seawater, they drifted on the currents. One of the group, Hamid, died and fell into the sea.

Syamsuddin said he never stopped praying, hoping for God's help.

"God listened to my prayers. On Friday morning we spotted a passing ship. Our spirits lifted, although we were physically weak and had almost lost hope.

"We called for help, and waved ... the ship saw us and picked us up. Thank God we survived."

Heny said she never let go of Syamsuddin, even when the raft was repeatedly thrashed by waves.

The girl is one of six survivors who were picked up Friday by the ship KM Ciremai, which was on its way to Makassar.

On Saturday, Heny and three other survivors were treated at Bhayangkara Hospital in Makassar. They were still weak and complained of pain in their chests but were on the road to recovery.

Two other survivors, including Syamsuddin, have returned home.

As of Saturday, a joint search team comprising the police, the Navy and residents were continuing a search for the remaining passengers.

Two Navy vessels, KRI Ajak and KRI Mandau, are also involved in the effort.

"We have also asked fishermen to help in the search. I hope the missing passengers will be found safe," said Pangkajene island regency administration secretary Surya Agraria.

A search is also under way to find survivors and missing passengers from a boat that sank in rough seas in Maluku province.

Two more survivors have been found from the ill-fated Wahai Star, which went down after suffering engine trouble in rough seas with some 60 passengers on board.

As of Saturday, 44 people had been rescued and the death toll had risen to 14.

"Two more people were found alive and are now being treated at Namlea Hospital on Buru Island. We have found nine more bodies," maritime policeman G. Tutupari told reporters in Ambon, AFP reported.

A series of recent fatal land and sea accidents has claimed dozens of lives across the country, putting Indonesia's poor transportation safety standards into the spotlight yet again.

Transportation Minister Jusman Syafii Jamal warned Thursday that huge waves, in excess of six meters, would continue until August.

The Meteorology and Geophysics Agency attributed the huge waves to tropical cyclone Man Yi, which is expected to affect several regions in the country.

Waves are predicted to crash onto eastern shores near the Seram, Aru and Arafuru seas, the Fak Fak and Merauke coasts and most of Maluku.

Indonesia needs 200 thousands graduates in fishery and marine sector

Padang, Wes Java (ANTARA News) - Indonesia needs about 200 thousands graduates in the field of explorations and procession of maritime and fishery resources but institutions in this field in the country have yet to able to meet the demand, a lecturer said here on Friday.

"The need for graduates in this field in the last five years continue to increase sharply, namely about 200 thousand annually," Dean of Bung Hatta University`s Fisheries and Maritime School, Yempita Efendi said.

He said that Indonesian institutes of higher learning had not yet been able to meet the need because the number of such institutions in the country was only 12, both state-owned and privately-run institutes.

The 12 institutes of higher learning which open study programs in the fisheries and maritime resources could only turn out about 1,000 graduates annually. Still, not all of these graduates work in the sector, he said.

Govt warns of high waves, eruptions in coming weeks

M. Taufiqurrahman, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The government warned Thursday of the possibility that natural disasters could strike in several of the country's regions in the coming weeks.

Senior government officials have asked the Indonesian people to brace for potential volcanic eruptions and huge waves expected to pound numerous coastal regions.

Speaking after a limited Cabinet meeting, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro said that at least 12 volcanoes were active throughout the country, while Transportation Minister Jusman Syafii Jamal cautioned that huge waves, in excess of six meters in height, could persist until August.

Purnomo said the danger rating of 10 volcanoes is on the third highest level and that they require close monitoring. They are Talang in West Sumatra, Minor Krakatau in Lampung, Merapi in Yogyakarta, Semeru and Bromo in East Java, Batutara in East Nusa Tenggara, Karang Etan and Lokon in North Sulawesi and Dukono and Ibu in North Maluku.

Soputan in North Sulawesi is at "beware" status, the second highest danger level, while Gamkonora in North Maluku is at the highest alert status.

The heightened activities of Gamkonora prompted the evacuation of 13,000 people after the volcano began spewing ash and debris over the past few days.

On Thursday, the government also issued a warning for high waves.

Meteorology and Geophysics Agency (BMG) chairwomen Sri Woro Budiharti Haryono attributed the high waves to tropical cyclone Man Yi that will likely shroud several regions in the country.

Sri Woro said waves of between three and six meters in height will likely crash against the Eastern shores of the country near the Seram, Aru and Arafuru seas, the Fak Fak and Merauke coasts and most of Maluku.

On Wednesday, passenger ship KM Wahai Star, plying the Buru Island-Ambon route and carrying 60 passengers, sank in Pulau Tiga Isle. High waves were blamed for the incident.

Ships of all types are barred from travel when waves reach between three and six meters, Sri Woro said.

Waves of between two and three meters will likely pound coasts facing the Indonesian Ocean south of Java, waters off Masalembo and the Sulawesi Sea, she said, adding that sea transportation during periods when waves reach such heights is considered dangerous.

The government also warned of the possibility of flooding and forest fires in the coming months.

After hearing presentations about the possible disasters, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono ordered relevant agencies to implement disaster mitigation procedures.

Yudhoyono asked the BMG to keep the public updated on weather occurrences and information that could serve as an early warning for disasters.

"The President also paid special attention to information on the heightened activities of volcanoes. He wants the BMG to coordinate with governors and regents throughout the country about disseminating the information," Purnomo said.

GromSearch surf comp visits Kuta

The Jakarta Post

KUTA: The second-to-last event of the Rip Curl GromSearch series will be held at Kuta Beach on July 15.

The waves off Kuta Beach are a perfect venue for the under-17 grommet surfers, who are expected to go all-out to win the event in front of the many tourists who throng the beach.

This is the fourth leg of the 2007 season. Previous event locations included Cimaja, in West Java; Lakey Peak, in Sumbawa; and Medewi, in North Bali.

The final event in the series will be held in October at Keramas Beach, in Gianyar, with the winner of the under-17 category pocketing an all-expenses-paid ticket to Australia to compete in the World GromSearch Finals, which will take place at Bells Beach in April 2008.

The winner of the under-15 category will win a brand-new surfboard.

The current leader of the under-17 category is 14-year-old One Anwar from Lakey Peak, in Sumbawa, who is closely followed by Putra Hermawan from Nusa Lembongan and One's older brother Gazali Hamzah.

The GromSearch has been sanctioned by the Indonesian Surfing Championship (ISC) and the points collected over the series will determine who will be crowned the 2007 ISC Junior Champion.

Mass tourism threatens beaches, coasts

Prodita Sabarini, The Jakarta Post, Denpasar

Mass tourism on the island of Bali over the last three decades has caused considerable environmental damage to its beaches and coastal areas, an environmentalist said.

"There are too many people living on the island and too many buildings are being erected along the shorelines," Marthen Welly, an outreach officer from the Nature Conservancy, said.

Bali now has a population of around three million, with most people living on the coasts.

One of Bali's most polluted beaches is Sanur. Once a pristine beach, it is currently suffering serious sea erosion and water pollution.

The office of the Coordinating Team on Environmental Pollution Management in Bali has reportedly inspected the waste management systems of a number of hotels in the area.

The team found the Inna Sindhu Beach Hotel, the Mercure Accor Hotel and a number of other hotels did not have good waste management systems. Inna Sindhu Beach Hotel only had septic tanks.

"The water in Sanur is murky. Water pollution in this area is due to a lack of good waste management systems," Marthen said.

Mustika, a marketing official at Inna Sindhu Beach Hotel, said the hotel was waiting for the Denpasar Sewerage Development Project to be implemented, which was suppose to begin this year.

"We're waiting for that project to begin so we do not waste our money," he said.

Beach erosion in Sanur has occurred due to the loss of offshore coral reefs.

"In the past, coral reefs were used as building materials for hotels," Welly said.

Although the practice has been banned, the loss of coral reefs, which act as a natural barrier against large waves, has left the coast unprotected and has resulted in beach erosion.

A defunct project on Serangan Island developed by Hutomo Mandala Putra -- better known as Tommy Soeharto, the son of former president Soeharto -- has also resulted in a change in wave patterns and has caused further erosion to Sanur Beach.

The Serangan Island project involved expanding the island to three times its original size, through dredging sand from the ocean floor.

Around 20 percent of Bali's coastal areas have eroded. Two kilometers of the island's coastal areas are reportedly damaged annually. According to data from the Public Works Ministry's Agency for the Conservation and Restoration of River and Coastal Areas, the length of eroded beaches increased from 51 kilometers in 1987 to 90 kilometers in 2006.

Putu Sudana from the agency said the Bali administration had the difficult task (and dilemma) of preserving the environment while trying to boost the economy.

The agency has carried out conservation programs costing Rp 340 billion (around US$333 million) to halt beach erosion by building walls and embankments along some of the island's coastal areas. The money has mostly come from Japanese loans and the state budget.

"The cost to build these water breakers is far greater than the amount needed to preserve the environment in the first place," Welly said.

"There are hundreds of hotels in Bali which have been built close to shorelines... without consideration for the ecological impact.

"What good are hundreds of hotels if the natural beauty of the island is destroyed?"

According to data from the Bali Tourism Board, the number of hotel rooms in Bali has reached 52,000, while daily direct arrivals of foreign tourists is now between 3,000 and 4,000.

Welly said property owners have attempted to protect their properties by building water breakers independently. However, he said this is not a solution to the problem. "The water can flow to the building adjacent and cause problems there.

"The Bali administration should implement policies which are environment friendly, otherwise the natural beauty of the island will not exist for much longer... and as a consequence, the island will not attract as many tourists."

He said the majority of tourist divers had moved from the main island to Nusa Penida and Nusa Lembongan, islands south of Bali, to see coral reefs there because conditions in Sanur's waters were poor. "The beauty is lost."

"Eco-tourism is being promoted in Nusa Penida and Nusa Lembongan, which is a good thing," he said. "The tourism sector there needs to be developed with care, to ensure it does not face the same fate as Bali.

"Sanur Beach is just one example of the many destroyed areas on Bali. Comprehensive and concerted efforts must be made to revitalize and protect Bali's beaches."

More companies promise to protect Jakarta Bay area

Adianto P. Simamora, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Several more companies located in the vicinity of Jakarta Bay have promised to revise waste disposal methods in an effort to reduce pollution.

Some 37 out of 85 companies in the area have now signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) detailing their commitment to protecting the bay.

"We will give them one year to meet their commitments, and if they fail to do so, we will withdraw their business licenses," Ridwan Panjaitan, head of pollution control at the Jakarta Environmental Management Board (BPLHD), said Tuesday.

Under the MoU, each company must treat its solid, liquid and hazardous waste and control air pollution from fixed and mobile sources, including emissions from factories and vehicles.

The companies are also required to submit reports about their progress to the BPLHD.

Companies that signed the MoU last week include Koja Container Terminal, state port operator Pelindo II in Tanjung Priok, the management of Ancol Dreamland recreation park and PT Indonesia Marine.

Residents argue a decline in fish numbers in the area is due to heavy pollution emitted from factories and businesses operating along the bay.

The program to clean up Jakarta Bay was first launched last year, with 19 companies initially signing the MoU.

However, only 10 companies have carried out their promises so far.

"Nine companies have not submitted reports regarding their progress. We will send them warning letters soon," he said.

The Jakarta administration has also been under pressure to clean up the city's river system recently.

The administration said 13 rivers flowing into the Jakarta Bay contribute at least 14,000 cubic meters of household waste to the area daily. This is almost half of the estimated 28,435 cubic meters of waste that enters the bay, endangering coral reefs and other sea life.

The Kepulauan Seribu regency is currently using four boats and a barge to clean up the sea, with collected garbage disposed of at the Bantar Gebang sanitary landfill in Bekasi.

The capital currently produces more than 6,000 tons of garbage per day.

Two die in missing ship incident

The Jakarta Post

JAKARTA (AP): Two children died in a missing ship incident in stormy areas in Pulau Tiga isle, eastern Indonesia province of Maluku.

The bodies of the children were found drifting away along with nearly dozens survivors in the waters where the passenger ship carrying 70 people disappeared due to failure engine midnight Tuesday.

Karim Tuanaya of the local port authority said that the ship KM Wahai Star was carrying 53 passengers and 17 crew members when its engine broke down after encountering three-meter-high waves, he said, but it was not immediately clear if it sank.

An oil tanker plucked the bodies of two children from the sea and rescued 23 other people, Karim said, adding he had not yet heard any reports from survivors about the apparent accident.

"They are still on board the tanker, which decided to stay in the area because its crew heard people screaming for help," Karim said.

A search was under way involving some ships, but huge waves were hampering those efforts, he said.

Indonesia, the world's largest archipelagic nation, has been hit by a series of sea transportation disasters in recent months. In late December, a passenger ferry sank in a storm in the Java Sea, killing more than 400 people.

Surf competition in south Bali

The Jakarta Post

DENPASAR: Oakley Indonesia will hold the third annual "Oakley Thump Pro" surf competition at the infamous razor-sharp reef of Bingin Beach, on the Bukit Peninsula in south Bali, on Friday and Saturday.

Internationally known to surfers for its hollow and mechanically perfect tubes, Bingin Beach is also a delight for spectators, who can view the action from beachside warung.

The event will begin early Friday morning with 60 of Indonesia's best pro surfers taking part, including Rizal Tanjung, Marlon Gerber, Tipi Jabrik and Dede Suryana, as well as four international surfers. They will be competing for their share of the Rp 30 million (US$3,300) prize and valuable Indonesian Surfing Championship (ISC) points.

Also participating in the event are wildcard Oakley International Team riders Adam Melling from Australia and Sebastian Zietz from Hawaii. There will be a Masters Division on Saturday for surfers 35-years and over currently on the ISC circuit.

An awards presentation will be held Saturday afternoon, which is to be followed by a BBQ and live performances by Bondan Prakoso, Fade 2 Black and DJ James Hendrix and a special appearance by the FHM 2007 Girl Next Door contestants.

The Oakley Thump Pro is a six-star ISC event, where points are awarded and tabulated at the end of the year to crown a champion in the Pro, Masters, Pro Junior and Junior divisions.

PT PAL begins building four escort tug boats for JGC corporation

Surabaya, East Java (ANTARA News) - National shipyard industry PT PAL Indonesia has received an order to build four escort tug boats for JGC Corporation - a project described by a PT PAL executive as the company`s biggest since 1997.

A function marking the keel-laying of the first of CGJ`s escort tug boats took place PT PAL Indonesia`s dockyard in Surabaya, on Tuesday.

Present on the occasion were representatives of the Tangguh LNG, BP Migas (oil and gas regulating body), the PT PAL Indonesia president director and other people to be involved the vessels` construction.

PT PAL`s managing director on the occasion expressed appreciation to CGJ Corporation for having entrusted PT PAL with the task of building the tug boats.

Therefore, he asked PT PAL personnel to ensure that the vessels would be of high quality and be delivered to CGJ Corporation according to the agreed schedule.

He noted PT PAL Indonesia already had experience in building various kinds of vessels, including off-shore and on-shore equipment.

PT PAL`s project director Husein Soleh on the occasion said CGJ Corporation`s order was PT PAL`s biggest project since the economic crisis in 1997.

A representative of BP Migas, Robert T, said the need for the escort tug boats was a consquence of a deal on the construction of an oil refinery.

Each of CGJ Corporation`s escort tug boats would be 32 meters long and have a maximum operational draft of 5,23 meters.

The first tug boat ordered by the CGJ Corporation would according to plan be delivered in March 2008 or earlier than the original schedule in May 2008 because the first vessel`s keel laying was also done earlier than initially planned.

Maritime experts to convene in Bali

Yemris Fointuna, The Jakarta Post, Kupang

Maritime law experts are scheduled to attend a conference in Nusa Dua, Bali, in October to discuss cooperation between Indonesia and Australia regarding the Timor Sea and the Pasir and Cartier Islands.

The main aim of the conference will be for experts and traditional fishermen to present their recommendations on amendments to an existing agreement between the two countries.

Indonesian fishermen are frequently arrested and detained by the Australian Navy while fishing in the Timor Sea and Pasir and Cartier Islands area.

Yetti Haning of the International Association of Jurists for Maritime Delimitation in the Timor Sea and Pacific Rim said in a press statement the conference will focus on past cooperation agreements between Indonesia and Australia and the rights of Indonesian fishermen in the area.

"The conference will also discuss sea boundaries between Indonesia, Australia and East Timor based on international maritime law," Haning said.

Ferdi Tanoni, another member of the association, praised the decision to organize the event.

"The central government should not just focus on cooperation agreements between Indonesia and Singapore, but also with Australia," Tanoni said in Kupang over the weekend.

"The cooperation agreement between Indonesia and Australia, which judicially causes Indonesia to suffer losses, has to be brought in line with international maritime law based on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1980," Tanoni said.

Tanoni, who is also chairman of the Timor Gap Working Group, said Australia's claim of ownership over the Pasir Island chain in 1974 has resulted in thousands of Indonesian fishermen being arrested and jailed in Australia.

"Our dignity as a nation has been damaged. Aside from losing our rights in the Timor sea and Pasir and Cartier islands area, Indonesian fishermen have fallen victim to this agreement," he said.

"Therefore it is hoped at this conference we can show the world who the real owner of the area is," Tanoni said.

Warships readied to deter possible incursions

Fadli, The Jakarta Post, Tanjung Pinang, Riau Islands

The Indonesian Navy is preparing to deploy its warships to prevent a foreign incursion on the pretext of conducting military exercises in the waters of Natuna regency in Riau Islands province, a senior officer said over the weekend.

The Navy's Western Fleet commander, Rear Adm. Agus Suhartono, said the Singaporean Navy tried to enter Indonesian territorial waters in May to conduct a military exercise with a number of other foreign navies.

"Although both Singapore and Indonesia have signed a Defense Cooperation Agreement (DCA), Singapore is still not allowed to conduct military exercises in the waters of Riau Islands province," he told The Jakarta Post.

Agus said Indonesian warships "escorted" Singaporean warships out of Natuna waters when they attempted to enter the region.

"It was not an incident... the Navy was just trying to protect the country by preventing our brothers (the Singaporeans) from entering our territory.

"Based on an existing law, they (the Singapore military) do not have the right to enter our territory."

Local media Batam Pos reported on May 21 seven foreign warships -- involving French, Japanese and U.S. warships in addition to Singaporean warships -- tried to enter Indonesian waters.

Routine operations are currently being carried out in the Malacca and Singapore straits by the Indonesian Navy's sea security task force, while the Navy's sea combat task force is conducting operations in Natuna waters.

"Should they (Singapore) repeat their attempts to enter Natuna waters, we will quickly deploy our warships," Agus said.

The speaker of the Riau Islands provincial legislature, Nur Safriadi, has opposed the DCA granting Singapore the right to conduct military exercises in the province.

The controversial DCA, together with an extradition treaty, was signed on April 27 at Tampaksiring Palace in Bali by Foreign Minister Hassan Wirayuda and his Singaporean counterpart George Yeo in the presence of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

The DCA allows the Singaporean armed forces to involve other foreign militaries in its exercises, although it first needs to seek Indonesia's permission and must allow Indonesia to send observers to overlook all exercises.

Singapore is permitted to use three locations in Indonesia for training -- Alpha and Bravo areas in Natuna waters (which face the South China Sea) for air force and naval exercises, and the Baturaja training grounds in South Sumatra for ground exercises.

Implementation agreements for the defense pact are currently stalled over a dispute on the Bravo area.

China plans new oral care regulations

Chinadaily.com, Updated: 2007-07-06 10:06

China is crafting new safety rules for oral care products, apparently propelled by international alarm over toothpaste producers' use of a chemical found in antifreeze.

Numerous countries have stopped imports of Chinese-made toothpaste in recent months for containing diethylene glycol, or DEG, which is also used as a low-cost -- and sometimes deadly -- substitute for glycerin, a sweetener in many drugs.

A set of "strict certification and evaluation procedures" are being drawn up by China's Health Ministry and the China Certification and Accreditation Administration, the China News Service said, citing an announcement made during a national symposium. No other details were given.

Last month, the Health Ministry's spokesman, Mao Qun'an, said at least two new regulations were being considered focusing on certification and inspection standards.

The administration's website said the new rules would "improve the quality, safety and hygiene of oral health care products."

A spokeswoman from the administration, which overseas certification of Chinese products, confirmed the regulations were being drawn up and said the administration had asked for public opinions last year. She declined to give her name.

Worries over the safety of Chinese exports began earlier this year when the deaths of dogs and cats in North America were linked to pet food containing Chinese wheat gluten tainted with the chemical melamine.

Since then, US authorities have also banned or turned away a long list of Chinese products, including fish, juice and popular toy trains decorated with lead paint.

Countries in North and South America, as well as Asia, have banned Chinese-made toothpaste because of its DEG content, although there have been no reports of health problems stemming from the product.

Chinese officials have said tests carried out in 2000 by Chinese experts proved that toothpaste containing less than 15.6% DEG was harmless.

Other major buyers such as Japan and the European Union have pushed Beijing to improve inspections as its goods make their way through global markets.

Chinese authorities have vowed stronger safety measures. China's food safety watchdog said Tuesday that 19.1%, about one-fifth, of products made for domestic consumption were found to be substandard in the first half of 2007. Canned and preserved fruit and dried fish were the most problematic, primarily because of excessive bacteria and additives, the agency said.

Though the survey covered many different products, it focused on food, common consumer goods, farming machinery and fertilizers.

In a related development, China's Ministry of Health announced Wednesday a recall of two brands of diapers made by manufacturers in north China's Hebei province and south China's Fujian province. It did not say if the diapers had been exported but said the brands were popular in rural areas.

A spot check of rural shopping centers revealed that batches of infant diapers sold under the brand names Haobeir and Jinglianbangshuang contained excessive amounts of fungus, a statement posted to the central government's official website said. It did not say how much over the limit the diapers were or whether they had caused any children to become ill.

Meanwhile, a top quality official defended the safety of exported food.

"Ninety-nine percent of food exported to the United States was up to safety standards over the past two years, which is a very high percentage," Li Yuanping, who is in charge of imported and exported food safety, was quoted as saying by the Xinhua News Agency.

Most recently, the US Food and Drug Administration said it would detain Chinese catfish, basa and dace, as well as shrimp and eel after repeated testing turned up contamination with drugs that have not been approved in America for use in farmed seafood.

In response, China's quality administration issued a number of new measures designed to ensure the quality of exported farmed seafood, telling its local bureaus to "fully understand the side effects and major loss of the US decision to the Chinese seafood industry."

In addition to stepped-up inspections and quarantine, the agency said it would post on its website the names of companies that violate regulations and ban them from export activities for two years.

High tidal wave hit Yogyakarta

JAKARTA (JP): High tidal wave from Hindia Ocean hit Wednesday beaches in Yogyakarta, destroying a number of fishermen boats, Metro TV station reported.

The unusual high tidal wave could reach three to four meters high

Search called off for wreckage of American-owned boat in Manggarai

Yemris Fointuna, The Jakarta Post,

Kupang The West Manggarai Police and the Navy decided Monday to stop their sea-search for the American-owned Charisma which sank a week ago off Tanjung Nusa waters near Rinca Island in West Manggarai regency, East Nusa Tenggara.

West Manggarai Police chief Comr. Butje Helo said the decision to stop the search was made because of a limited access to equipment and under approval from the boat's owner Elbert Estelle Ford, 63, and his wife Sonia Ann Ford, 61.

"We tried to search for the boat where it was capsized, but we failed due to high tides," Butje said.

Charisma was hit by tides and capsized during its journey from Australia to Singapore last week.

The Fords were saved by the Navy with help from local police officers after their SOS signal was detected via satellite.

Ombak Biru

With regard to a further boat accident last week, Butje said he wanted to re-address a reported fatality associated with Ombak Biru vessel last week.

Ombak Biru

He said Yoppi Septianto, 21, who was crew aboard Ombak Biru was not killed when the boat was hit by tides, as reported. "After being checked, the tide was not so big when the boat berthed near Labuanbajo port," Butje said.

"But Yoppi allegedly jumped into the sea to swim ashore after he saw the boat was shaken by the tide.

"He swan for approximately 20 meters but unfortunately was drowned," Butje said. Guido Brink, managing director of PT Ombak Biru said, "the tragic death of Yoppi was not due to the sinking of any vessel".

"The Ombak Biru returned safely to Benoa harbor in Bali on Monday at 6 a.m."

Two Americans saved after boat sinks off W. Manggarai

Yemris Fointuna, The Jakarta Post, Kupang

High tides reaching up to five meters during last week's bad weather in East Nusa Tenggara saw a boat carrying two passengers sink off the West Manggarai coast near Flores Island, a police officer said Sunday.

West Manggarai Police chief Comr. Butje Helo said the "Charisma" was carrying an American couple when it was hit by tides on its way from Australia to Singapore.

The vessel was captained by Elbert Estelle Ford, 63, previously of the U.S. Navy, and his wife Sonia Ann Ford.

The two passengers were saved by members of the Indonesian Navy with help from local police officers.

They rescued the boat soon after an SOS signal was detected via satellite, Butje said.

"The boat departed from Darwin early June, but when it approached Rinca Island near Komodo Island, it was hit by the high tides and sank," Butje said.

Butje explained the American's boat was one of three that had capsized after being hit by the high tides during rough seas on June 26.

The first was the "Terlanjur Sayang", a motorized boat which capsized in Salura Island waters in East Sumba regency.

Its 17 passengers including the boat's captain were found alive Friday.

The second was the "Ombak Biru", a tourist boat carrying 26 tourists, including 10 foreigners, to Komodo Island.

It was capsized off Labuan Bajo waters, Butje said.

One of the boat's crew members Yoppi Septianto, 21, was killed in the accident however all others were safe, Butje said.

Butje said since Sunday afternoon, "Charisma's" whereabouts was still unknown.

A search was being conducted for the boat by the Navy despite rough seas.

"The waves remain high so the search team is experiencing difficulties -- they can not find accident's ordinate spot," he said.

He said the accident took place between one- and two-miles from the nearest seashore.

Head of the Meteorology and Geophysics Agency's El Tari station Albert Kusbagio said Sunday the wind speed off East Nusa Tenggara had already dropped to 35 kilometers per hour from 45 km/hr.

"The slower wind speed has reduced the height of the tides to between 2.5 meters and three meters from at least five meters earlier," Albert said.

The 17 survivors of the "Terlanjur Sayang", who were at sea for four days before being saved Friday, were still in shock.

Two children -- Mertho, 4, and Sahidin, 6 -- were among the survivors and have been collected by their family members.

After a medical check, all 17 survivors were allowed to go home.

"We could tell they were all tired and still in shock," said Adj. Sr. Comr. Arief Yuliman Susetyana, head of East Sumba police.