Blast fishing troubles C Sulawesi`s fishermen

Antara News, Sunday, May 30, 2010 18:10 WIB

Mamuju, W Sulawesi (ANTARA News) - The blast fishing activities in the waters of West Tapalang village, Central Sulawesi, had caused shortages of fish, a fisherman said.

As a result, lots of traditional fishermen, including himself, could no longer get fish easily, Rusdi, the fisherman, said here Saturday.

Rusdi said blast fishing operations in Central Sulawesi waters might have destroyed coral reefs that affected the fish population in the area.

Fishing net fishermen need to go further into the sea to catch fish, he said.

Sharing Rusdi`s deep concern, Isram said fishing net fishermen like himself had actually already warned fishermen using explosives in catching fish.

But they ignored the warnings athough they realized the bad impacts of fishing with explosives on the sustainability of coral reefs and fish resources, which finally caused other fishermen to suffer, he said.

Due to the danger of blast fishing, he called on the police to take stern action the perpetrators.

"If the blast fishing practitioners are left free, I am afraid the impacts will become worse," he said.

The blast fishing activities in various parts of Indonesia, including Central Sulawesi Province, have attracted world attention.

Endowed by nature with more than 50,000 square kilometers of coral reefs, Indonesia has been listed by the United Nations as a nation with the largest coral reef resources in the world, along with Australia and the Philippines.

According to the United Nations Environment Program World Conservation Monitoring Center (UNEP-WCMC)`s World Atlas of Coral Reefs (2001), Indonesia had 51,020 square kilometers of coral reefs or 17.95 percent of the world`s coral reefs.

This archipelagic nation topped the list , followed by Australia with 48,460 square kilometers, the Philippines (25,060), France (14,280), Papua New Guinea (13,840), Fiji (10,020), Maldives (8,920), Saudi Arabia (6,660), Marshall Islands (6,110) and India (5,790).

The benefits that Indonesia can get from its coral reefs are obvious because coral reefs are evidently the sources of food and income for a lot of people from fisheries and tourism and also sources of raw materials for medicines.

But the UNEC-WCMC has warned that activities, such as fishing using explosives, are seriously degrading coral reefs in various parts of the world, including in Indonesia.

The UN body`s warning is based on factual information collected over the years. Blast fishing itself has been practiced in Indonesia since World War II.

Maluku coral reefs need optimal management

Antara News, Friday, May 28, 2010 18:04 WIB

Ambon, Maluku (ANTARA News) - Maluku`s coral reef potentials should be managed well and optimally to support the province`s tourism development, coastal area management spokesman Bob Wenno said Friday.

"Maluku should follow the example of North Sulawesi and Papua which are are optimally managing their coral reefs in the Bunaken marine park and Raja Ampat marine park respectively for tourism," Bob Wenno said.

He admitted the coral reefs in Maluku had yet to be optimally managed for tourism because the local government had failed to see that foreign tourists were keenly interested in them.

"Maluku`s crystal-clear waters abound in coral reefs, and therefore the local government should manage and care for them as tourist attractions," Wenno said.

He added that the people should also be given an understanding to keep and preserve the coral reefs along the coastal areas and in the deep seas for their own welfare.

In addition, Wenno said, the local government and people should make every possible effort to maintain the sustainability of the province`s marine ecosystem to attract tourists.

"There is no legal umbrella at present to prevent local fishermen from destroying corral reefs by using fish bombs," Bob Wenno said, adding that all parties in the province should preserve the marine ecosystem.

According to him, the need of coral reefs preservation should be familiarized to the people in Maluku because the damage of marine biological resources would contribute to global warming.

Bob Wenno also called on the local fishermen to stop using fish bombs and toxic substances like potassium cyanide because if they continued to do so, it would destroy the coral reefs and marine biological resources.

Asked about the upcoming international marine event of Sail Banda 2010, Wenno said it would be a strategic event for investors to invest at marine tourism sector in Maluku.

"Sail Banda is expected to raise prestige of tourism in Maluku," he said.

Australia to mount legal bid against Japan whaling

BBC News, 28 May 2010 6:38 UK

Japan says its whale hunt is legal under the international convention

Australia has said it will begin legal action against Japan over its whaling in the Antarctic Southern Ocean.

The Australian government says it will lodge formal proceedings at the International Court of Justice in The Hague next week.

Japan says its annual whale hunt is for scientific research.

But critics say this is a cover for commercial whaling which is subject to an international ban.

The Australian move comes ahead of a meeting of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) in Morocco next month, where agreement is being sought on a new approach to whaling, which would allow commercial hunting but with strict quotas.

Australian Environment Minister Peter Garrett and Attorney-General Robert McClelland said in a joint statement that the move underlines their "commitment to bring to an end Japan's program of so-called scientific whaling".

'Disappointing'

There has been a moratorium on commercial whaling for 25 years, but a Japanese whaling fleet heads to the Southern Ocean each southern summer to harpoon hundreds of whales as part of what it calls lethal research, which is allowed.

Australia had tried to negotiate an end to these forays and had given Japan until November to stop this form of whaling. It then brought forward its plans to take the matter to court.

Conservationists have broadly welcomed the legal action, praising the government of Prime Minster Kevin Rudd for standing up to Japan.

But the BBC's Sydney correspondent Nick Bryant says that the Australian Greens have said it is essentially a political move from a prime minister who has been slipping in the polls to make good on a election promise made three years ago.

Japan is Australia's second biggest trading partner, and Canberra says it hopes the move will not damage their friendly relations.

The Japanese fisheries ministry has described the legal action as "very disappointing".

"We will continue to explain that the scientific whaling that we are conducting is lawful in accordance with Article 8 of the international convention for the regulation of whaling," said the ministry's deputy press secretary Hidenobu Sobashima.

Mr Sobashima said the issue "shouldn't jeopardise the overall good relations between Japan and Australia".

The Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith said the two countries have agreed to treat the matter as "an independent legal arbitration of a disagreement between friends".

THE LEGALITIES OF WHALING

• Objection - A country formally objects to the IWC moratorium, declaring itself exempt. Example: Norway
• Scientific - A nation issues unilateral 'scientific permits'; any IWC member can do this. Example: Japan
• Aboriginal - IWC grants permits to indigenous groups for subsistence food. Example: Alaskan Inupiat
• Culture clash over Japan whalingWhales - 'resource' or 'right'?

Malaysia Interested in Banyuwangi Sea Weed

Tempo Interactive, Friday, 28 May, 2010 | 01:57 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Surabaya: Malaysia has started to notice the potential of sea Weed in Banyuwangi, East Java.

A Malaysain food producer, PT Adabi, recently conduct a survey on sea weed (Eucheuma Cottoni) at the production center in Wongsorejo Sub-district, Banyuwangi.

According to the Section Head of Farmers Empowerment of Banyuwangi Maritime and Fisheries Office, Suryono Bintang Samudra, PT Adabi is interested in making Banyuwangi sea weed as raw material for food industry because of its high carrageenan content.

Carrageenan is extracted from seaweed to be used in food industry because its jelly characteristic thicken and stabilize the main ingredient.

Suyono said that if exports to Malaysia could be realized, he is optimistic that it will encourage Banyuwangi fisherman to cultivate seaweed.

Because from 4,100 hectare of seaweed potential, there is only 10 percent of land used with a production of 10-13 tons per day.

“Meanwhile, our production target is 20 ton,” he said.

The areas which become center of seaweed culture are Wongsorejo, Muncar and Pesanggaran subdistricts.

Meanwhile, seaweed from Banyuwangi is still bought by local market, like Bali and Surabaya.

“We have not exported it yet,” he said.

The still low seaweed production in Banyuwangi, he said, is caused by the too long seaweed harvest, which needs 40-45 days.

“This is what makes fishermen not enthusiastic about seaweed culture.”

IKA NINGTYAS

RI, Australia to discuss Maluku`s small island problems

Antara News, Thursday, May 27, 2010 19:11 WIB

Ambon, Maluku (ANTARA News) - Indonesian and Australian government representatives will meet in Ambon on August 4-6, 2010 to discuss problems affecting small islands in Maluku province, a local official said.

The head of Maluku province`s maritime affairs and fisheries office, Polly Kayhattu said here on Thursday the discussions would follow up decisions made at the World Ocean Conference (WOC) which was held as part of Sail Bunaken in Manado, North Sulawesi in July 2009.

He said the conference, themed "Save the Small Islands in Maluku for the Next Generation," was being intensively coordinated by the provincial maritime affairs and fisheries office with the Australian Embassy in Jakarta.

"The international conference between Indonesia and Australia will focus on climate change and its impact on small islands in Maluku province," Kayhattu said.

According to him, matters related to investment in maritime and fisheries sector, illegal fishing, and fisheries management would also be discussed in the conference.

In addition, business meeting and interaction between Maluku and Darwin, Australia, would also be intensified.

"Maluku provincial government is consulting a plan to sign an cooperation agreement with Darwin through a coordination between Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry and Australian Embassy," Kayhattu said.

He added that the Indonesia-Australia conference on small islands in Maluku would coincide with a seafood exhibition involving Australia, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea (PNG) from July 31-August 5, 2010.

"The three countries: Australia, New Zealand, and PNG will also participate in the upcoming international marine event of Sail Banda 2010," he said.

Kayhatto added that the exhibition, themed "Seafood for Quality of Life," would have a strategic value to promote Maluku which is to be declared by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono as the national fish barn here on August 3.

SAR stops searching for Naval Patrol boat`s wreck

Antara News, Thursday, May 27, 2010 03:48 WIB

Tanjungpinang, Riau Islands (ANTARA News) - Head of the Tanjungpinang Search and Rescue (SAR) squad Bambang Subagyo said SAR has stopped its search for the wreck of a naval patrol boat along which went down and three passengers were missing in Lingai waters.

"Today we have stopped our search for the naval patrol boat`s wreck and the three missing passengers in Lingai waters," Bambang said here Wednesday night.

The naval patrol boat caught fire and sank in Lingai waters, Anambas islands, on Thursday at 9.30 am local time. It had 22 passengers mostly family welfare personnel on their way to a working visit to Jemaja island from Tarempa.

Nineteen survived but sustaining burns and broken bones, and are still undergoing intensive treatment at a local hospital.

Bambang said that under the operational standard of the National SAR team, the search for a ship wreck and its victims is carried out for seven days.

The 62 to 65 deep waters he said were also a problem to the divers in search for the wreck and missing passengers.

Bangladesh, Indonesia, Iran top world disaster risk rankings

Google/AFP

PARIS — Bangladesh, Indonesia and Iran are the countries that are the most vulnerable to natural disasters, according to a study released on Thursday.

Asia's twin giants, China and India, join them in the 15 countries that, out of 229, are rated as "extreme" risk.

The Natural Disasters Risk Index (NDRI) is compiled by a British risk advisory firm, Maplecroft, on the basis of disasters that occurred from 1980 to 2010.

It draws on a basket of indicators, including the number and frequency of these events, the total deaths that were caused and the death toll as a proportion of the country's population.

Disasters include earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, storms, flooding, drought, landslides, heatwaves and epidemics.

"Poverty is an important factor in countries where both the frequency and impacts of natural disasters are severe," said Maplecroft's environmental analyst, Anna Moss.

"Poor infrastructure, plus dense overcrowding in high-risk areas like flood plains, river banks, steep slopes and reclaimed land, continually result in high casualty figures."

According to the NDRI's figures, Bangladesh has suffered more than 191,000 fatalities as a result of natural disasters in the past 30 years, and Indonesia a nearly equal number, the vast majority of which were inflicted by the December 2004 tsunami.

In Iran, the big vulnerability factor is earthquakes, which claimed 74,000 lives over this period.

India, ranked 11th, lost 141,000 lives -- including 50,000 to earthquakes, 40,000 to floods, 15,000 to epidemics and 23,000 to storms -- while the tally in China, rated 12th, was 148,000 lives, of which 87,000 were lost in the 2008 Sichuan quake.

Three G8 countries are considered "high risk," the next category down from "extreme."

They are France (17th in the overall rankings) and Italy (18th), which were hit by killer heatwaves in 2003 and 2006, and the United States (37th), whacked by Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

The countries least at risk are Andorra, Bahrain, Gibraltar, Liechtenstein, Malta, Monaco, Qatar, San Marino and the United Arab Emirates.

Moss pointed to experts' warnings of the impact of climate change on rainfall. Disruption of weather patterns is predicted to lead to more frequent and bigger episodes of drought and flood.

"Our research highlights the need for even the wealthiest countries to focus on disaster risk reduction," she said.

Related Article:

Indonesia Ranks as Second-Riskiest Place in World for Natural Disasters

"USNS Mercy" to arrive in Ambon July 29

Antara News, Wednesday, May 26, 2010 18:21 WIB

Ambon, Maluku (ANTARA News) - The United States Navy`s floating hospital, USNS Mercy T-AH-19, is expected to arrive here on July 29, 2010 to support the Surya Baskara Jaya health services operation in Maluku.

Maluku Health Office chief Ms Fat bassalamah said here on Wednesday , the US Navy`s floating hospital would berth at Ambon`s Yos Sudarso pier until August 3, 2010.

"The USNS Mercy will berth at Yos Sudarso pier from July 29 until August 3 to help make Surya Baskara Jaya health service operation a success," Bassalama said, adding that the operation was actually already started last April.

She said the presence of the USNS Mercy would be the realization of the US Navy`s social concern for the people of Maluku to get free medical services as part of the international marine event of Sail Banda 2010.

"The 273-meter long USNS Mercy T-AH-19 with 956 medical personnel and doctors is arguably the most sophisticated vessel in its class to assist the Indonesian Navy`s KRI Dr Soeharso in giving medical services to the people of Maluku," she said.

Bassalamah said the KRI Dr Soeharso and USNS Mercy would give free medical services to people in Ambon while the same was to be done by the Sailing Medical Service (SMS) in the districts of Buru Selatan, West Southeast Maluku (MTB), and Southwest Maluku (MBD).

"In addition, Australia, Malaysia, and Singapore will also send their hospital ships to join the KRI Dr Soeharso and USNS Mercy in the health services operation in the province.

The third-generation USNS Mercy (T-AH-19) is the lead ship in her her class of hospital ships in the United States Navy.

She was named after the virtue of compassion. In accordance with the Geneva Conventions, the USNS Mercy and her crew do not carry any ordnance. Firing on the Mercy is considered a war crime.

The Mercy was originally buildt an oil tanker named SS Worth by the National Steel and Shipbuilding Company, San Diego, California, in 1976.

In July 1984, she was renamed and converted into a hospital ship by the same company.

Launched on 20 July 1985, the USNS Mercy was commissioned on November 8, 1986.

She has a raised forecastle, a transom stem, a bulbous bow, an extended deck house with a forward bridge, and a helicopter-landing deck with a flight control facility.

Related Article:

Red Cross in Afghanistan gives Taliban first aid help

Cilacap fishermen reject power plant construction

The Jakarta Post, Cilacap | Tue, 05/25/2010 9:57 AM | The Archipelago

CILACAP, Central Java: Fishermen in Bunton village, Adipala district in Cilacap regency, have raised their objection to the plan to construct a steam power plant called PLTU Bunton.

In a joint statement, the fishermen, who are grouped under the Cilacap Sea Fishing Port Association, said the plan may disrupt their fishing activities as shown through the presence of another power plant, PLTU Karangkandri, some 20 kilometers away.

The group’s leader, Srigito, said that the fishermen were not against the power plant but ships carrying coal to the plant.

“Much coal brought by the ships has spilled into the sea and may be responsible for causing pollution that kills marine life.

“For us, less fish means less income,” he said. — JP

700 Youths to Gather in Ambon for Maritime Program

Jakarta Globe, May 24, 2010

About 700 youths are meeting in Ambon for the Sail Banda program. (Photo: JG)

Ambon, Maluku. At least 700 youths will gather in the eastern Indonesian city of Ambon in late July to participate in a “Maritime Teenagers Across Archipelago” program.

“Some 700 youths from across the country are expected to arrive here for the ‘Maritime Teenagers Across Archipelago’ program scheduled for late July until August 4, 2010 as part of the international marine event of Sail Banda 2010,” Sail Banda local committee chairman for youth and sports affairs Azis Lattar said on Monday.

He said the teenagers from across the country would come to Ambon to take part in a camping program with local scouts at Telaga Kodok village in Leihitu sub-district, Ambon.

In addition to the camping program, the teenagers would visit a cultural park in Ambon, have discussions with their peers from Maluku, and take part in a mangrove-planting drive along the coast of Ambon’s Inner Bay.

“We are also making arrangements for the youths to have a dialog with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono at the Sail Banda peak event here on August 3, 2010,” Lattar said.

The youths would be transported to Ambon by a number of naval ships, including the KRI Dewaruci and KRI Arung Samudra, which would leave from Sabang, Belawan, Jakarta, Bali, Labuhan Bajo, Ambon and Merauke.

Antara

Porpoises in southern Dutch delta

Radio Netherlands Worldwide, 24 May 2010 - 11:01am

Porpoises have established themselves in the waters of the Oosterschelde delta area in the southern province of Zeeland.

The Dutch Dorsal Foundation and the World Wide Fund for Nature held a count of the animals in the Oosterschelde on Saturday. Porpoises normally live in the open sea and the organisations say it is unique to find them established in the partially enclosed waterway.

Nine ships sailing slowly from west to east were able to sight 15 porpoises on Saturday. In September, a total of 37 including five calves were spotted. The scientists say this does not necessarily mean the population has decreased as September’s weather conditions made the animals easier to see.

welt-atlas.de

Raja Ampat West Papua’s pristine water

J. Adiguna, The Jakarta Post, Raja Ampat, west Papua | Sun, 05/23/2010 11:08 AM

Colorful fish swim around coral reef in the Mansuar water.: JP/J. Adiguna

The clear blue water seemed flawless as I sat on the deck of the ferry.

As we saw shadows of green hills amid the abundant fresh blue water covering the horizon, mama Albertina Thesia and her company of singers began to sing a traditional Papua song — a song of joy to see the big island, Waigeo.

“We are glad to be home”, she said, glowing sparks showed in her eyes. Stephen Hindom, her partner, tapped a tranquilizing rhythm of Tifa, a traditional Papuan percussion.

Together with a group of family and singers, they are about to join their relative in Wasai, the capital of Raja Ampat regency, celebrating the seventh anniversary of Raja Ampat as an autonomous regency. “We’ll be performing at the opening ceremony tomorrow,” she said proudly.

While the fascination remained, suddenly groups of small boats, decorated with palm leaves, popped out from a near cove, moving closer to our ferry. They were welcoming us.

A woman from Salawati Island takes the starch from a sago palm for a celebration.: JP/J. Adiguna

Young brown-skinned and curly haired people with happy faces waved their hands cheerfully. They shouted the local greeting. Their eyes gazed at the ferry, looking for familiar faces.

Another cheerful rhythm of Tifa and Tambur, big traditional Papuan drums, echoed through the small islands in front of us. At the end of a wooden pier on the beach, stood a big brown bearded old man, wearing a traditional costume. He danced, stamped leaves in his hand while his legs moved to the the music. He was accompanied by groups of women young and old, wearing traditional cloth.

Welcome to Raja Ampat, heart of the Golden Triangle of the world!

Legend has it that the area was founded by four kings who were grown from eggs laid by a megapode bird. Later, the four kings settled in four large islands, which make up Raja Ampat regency: Waigeo, Salawati, Batanta and Misool.

Raja Ampat means four kings in Indonesian and its legend spreads beyond the indigenous people. The international community acknowledge Raja Ampat as the greatest repository of tropical marine life on earth. With its richness in marine life diversity, it’s known as the world’s “capital of coral and fish”.

More than 600 small islands with various shapes located in the north, west and south of Papua’s bird’s head peninsula gives Raja Ampat a geographical shelter from ocean waves.

Countless species of wildlife, including birds, fish and coral are found in this area which scientists are still studying its geographical advantage on nearby coral reefs including the Philippines, eastern Indonesia and the territory eastward to the Solomon Island.

In 1993, the Indonesian government declared Raja Ampat as a marine protected area (MPA) in the effort to protect this rich area that covers more than 60,000 square kilometers. A decade later, Raja Ampat became an autonomous regency under the province of West Papua. It makes it easier for the government and other organizations to implement the conservation and rehabilitation programs.

With more than 40,000 people living separately on 35 islands (mainly on the four big islands), reaching Raja Ampat is a challenge. A remote island surrounded by fresh blue water with a few harbors make a small boat and kayak ideal transportation for its people. Wasai, the capital of Raja Ampat, can be reached with a ferry from Sorong, the capital of West Papua province.

The area nearby Kabui offers breathtaking scenery.: JP/J.Adiguna

Entering Wasai from the harbor, you will find clear evidence of how the government has tried to improve and provide proper infrastructure in this remote place. There are small shacks and houses, but at least they have roads, a small health clinic, a government center, communication facilities and a market.

Cozy accommodation is easy to find as there are a few cottages which offer varied services from Rp 100,000 (US$10) to Rp 400.000 per night. Mostly, these are located near Wasai Beach. As an alternative, many houses are modified into homestays where you can experience the warmth and kindness of the people.

Local authorities have developed training for the people to prepare their home as homestays for. As long as you don’t mind bathing outside and sharing your private space with others, there is no problem. If anything, it provided more value and memories to our adventurous journey.

As for the food, you need not worry as long as you can eat seafood. The unique Papuan cooking style has an unforgettable delicious taste. If you have a chance, you should try “sagu bia”. It is made from sago cooked with a local clam called bia.

It is mixed with local herbs and salt and pepper, and is placed in a banana leaf and left roasted on hot stone. The spicy and gummy taste from the sago, mixed with the strong taste of the clam is worth a try. Locals say it can increase the libido.

For diving enthusiasts, there are some resorts to visit and dozens of cruises that offer services. The price varies between ¤5,000 (US$6,200) per person for a 10-day dive package to Rp 25,000,000 ($2,700) for five people for a three-day dive package.

You’ll be promised wonderful sights and marine life such as the spotted wobbegong, fimbriated moray, goliath grouper, manta ray and the sperm whale, reported to have been seen swimming around the water of Ayau Island, north of Waigeo.

Tourists enjoy the calm water in the Kabui Bay.: JP/J.Adiguna

Don’t miss the opportunity to visit small islands nearby with kayaks or small boats, especially in Kabui Bay or the small cove surrounding Gam area. You can learn moer about the legend of how King Waikew of Waigeo Island found seven eggs laid by a megapode bird. Four hatched and turned into four handsome princes who later ruled the four big islands. Another egg hatched and became a woman who was washed away and stranded in Biak, Papua. Another hatched and became a ghost

that protected the sea and the last one didn’t hatch and turned into a big stone

in Mayalibit bay.

As we float through the narrow strait between the mangrove jungle in a hidden bay, we feel the water become warmer. Sometimes we spot big brown-headed eagles fly above us.

We can also see red coral or big sea anemones, which grow only 2 meters below the clear water which is filled with orange ocellaris clownfish. Just beware of crocodiles when you do it. They are known to inhabit the mangroves.

Most people in Raja Ampat live as fishermen. They developed the tradition, which follows the harmony of nature. Indigenous people called themselves the Maya tribe. Years of influence from nearby islands mean the people of Raja Ampat have mixed ancestry with Maya and Biak as the majority.

There are many Melanisas as well as a few people life in southern Raja Ampat around Misool, descended from inter-island traders from Maluku and Sulawesi.

Uniquely they together adopt the same fishing technique called bacigi bwhich is fishing using string with no bait at the hook. Another technique ia called molo which is free diving, armed with a traditional spear gun called kalawai. The fishermen usually dive for 10-15 minutes in the water.

The declaration of Raja Ampat as a protected area recognizes the tradition of Raja Ampat people who had been preserving the marine biodiversity.

The help from natural conservation organizations such as Conservation International, The Natural Conservancy, World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and many others, together with the Indonesian and local government, are needed to preserve the environment.

There are many challenges to overcome. Great reserves of nickel and ore located in Waigeo, illegal fishing, the increasing po-pulation and the construction of modern infrastructure threaten the environment.

— Photos by J. Adiguna

Fishermen in 34 Provinces to Receive Boat Aid

Tempo Interactive, Friday, 21 May, 2010 | 16:53 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Banyuwangi:The Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries will distribute 1,000 fishing boat with a capacity above 30 gross tons to fisherman in 34 provinces in Indonesia.

According to the Director General of Captured Fish of the Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Dedy H. Sutisna, the boats will be distributed in stages starting this year up until 2015.

One province is targeted to get at least 30 boats.

“This policy is an instruction from President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono,” said Dedy at a working visit in Banyuwangi, on Thursday (20/5).

In this year’s state budget, he said, the Department has allocated around Rp90 billion to procure 60 ships.

One boat costs 1.5 billion.

According to Dedy, these ships are prioritized for fishermen who still use small ships.

It was expected that boats with bigger capacity fisherman will have a greater range to capture fish in order to be able capture more.

“Fisherman will automatically have more revenue,” he said.

IKA NINGTYAS.

Various activities in Ambon to mark Sail Banda 2010

Antara News, Saturday, Otniel Tamindael, May 22, 2010 18:07 WIB

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Life in Ambon city in the days during the international marine event of Sail Banda 2010 will be marked by various cultural and social activities.

Cultural and environmental activities such as a music concert and mangrove planting drive will be conducted to grace and mark the upcoming international marine event.

To mark the event, singers of Maluku origin are slated to stage a free concert, "Spirit 2010" on June 20 and 22, 2010 at the beautiful Natsepa Beach in Ambon.

Committee chairman Theny Soparue said in Ambon on Thursday that the free concert was intended to grace the upcoming international marine event of Sail Banda which is to last from June 12 until August 17, 2010.

According to Soparue, at lease 16 singers of Maluku origin such as Dodi Latuharhari, Naruwe, Yoken, Kamba Ipa and others, would entertain the local people for two days at Natsepa Beach.

"Some of the singers and music groups of Maluku origin in Jakarta will also come to highlight the Spirit 2010," Soparue said.

He added that the Spirit 2010 concert was part of the singers participation in gracing the upcoming international marine event of Sail Banda.

"As the singers and artists of Maluku origin, they are called to highlight the international marine event, expected to be of great advantage to this nation," Soparure said.

In addition to the Spirit 2010 music concert, Spraure said there would also be a Sail Banda familiarization from Maluku deputy governor Said Assagaff who is concurrently Sail Banda local committee chairman.

Soparue said Assagaff would give detailed information about Sail Banda.

It was also expected that the people who come for the Spirit 2010 concert will gain an understanding about the importance and advantage of the international marine event and the need to act as good hosts.

"We have to act as good hosts because many foreign tourists will come to Maluku, especially Ambon for the event," Soparue said.

He added that the participants and the guests of Sail Banda would visit many interesting and amazing places such as Natsepa Beach, Hunimua Beach, Pintu Kota Beach, Manuala Beach, Namalatu Beach, Pasir Putih Beach (Alang), Fort Amsterdam , Old Mosque (Kaitetu), Old Church (Hila), and Siwalima Museum in Ambon.

Besides the free music concert by the singers of Maluku origin, an environmentally-related activity, a mangrove tree planting drive, will also be conducted.

At least 2,000 youths will participate in the mangrove tree planting drive along the coast of Ambon Inner Bay on July 30, 2010 as part of the Sail Banda international marine event.

Sail Bada 2010 Civic Mission coordinator Fat Bassalamah said here on Saturday that during the drive each of the 2,000 youths would plant one mangrove tree.

"At least 2,000 youths from the Maluku Protestant Church, Maluku mosques, high schools and university students, and boyscouts, will take part in the one man, one mangrove tree planting drive," Bassalamah said.

He said the mangrove seedlings were being prepared through a coordination with Maluku Forestry Office in cooperation with technical executive unit (UPT) at Forestry Ministry.

"The mangrove planting activity is part of Sail Banda 2010, scheduled for June 12 to August 17, 2010 and President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono`s one-man-one-tree policy," Bassalamah said.

Bassalamah, who is concurrently the chief of Maluku Health Office, said the mangrove planting program was intended to improve the local youths` social awareness of environmental preservation to reduce global warming.

"The mangrove tree planting movement is important in a bid to prevent coastal abrasion and tidal waves," Bassalamah said.

In addition, Bassalamah said, at least 100 medical workers had also been prepared by Maluku`s provincial health office to support the Sail Banda event.

"We have trained doctors and nurses from district and city hospitals and clinics to give health services to Sail Banda participants and guests," Basalamah said.

He added that of the 100 medical workers, 60 underwent training last week while the rest were trained last year.

"The training lasted one week at the Kudamati training facility. They were trained by a team from the East Indonesia Disaster Alert Brigade and Dr Wahidin General Hospital in Makassar," Basalamah said.

The Maluku health office had also formed a Sail Medical Service (SMS) team for people in Maluku`s remote islands.

The SMS was formed to avoid social jealousy during the Surya Baskara Jaya health operation on the islands of Ambon, Banda, and Kisar.

Meanwhile, the United States Navy`s floating hospital ship. USNS Mercy T-AH-19. is to arrive in Maluku in the near future to support the Surya Baksara Jaya health operation in the province.

Dubbed Surya Baksara Jaya operation, the health services program will be conducted at seven villages in Ambon, Maluku, July 29-August 3, 2010.

Sail Banda 2010 local committee chairman Cak Saimima said in Ambon recently that the health services provision operation would be conducted in conjunction with the international marine event in the province.

"A similar program as part of Sail Banda 2010 will also be conducted in Banda Neira, Central Maluku district at the same time," Cak Saimima said.

He said the floating hospital would provide health services at Mamala, Morella, Liang, Waai, Tulehu, Passo, and Hutumuri villages on the island of Ambon.

"The Surya Baksara Jaya health services provision operation will be supported by the biggest floating hospital of the United States Navy, the USNS MERCY T-AH-19," Saimima said.

Bali Police Pull Endangered Turtles From the Pot

Jakarta Globe, Made Arya Kencana, May 19, 2010

A policeman holding up one of 71 green turtles rescued in Bali on Wednesday. Despite a ban on the turtle trade, the reptile’s meat remains a delicacy on the island. (JG Photo/JP Christo)

Denpasar. Bali Police announced on Wednesday that they had rescued 71 endangered green turtles being kept for their meat.

Some of the turtles “were so big it took three people to lift each one,” Andi Taqdir Rahmantiro, director of the Bali Police’s detectives unit said, adding that the biggest turtles weighed as much as 200 kilograms each.

Green turtles (chelonia mydas) were once commonly used in ritual sacrifices across the predominantly Hindu island, while their meat is a traditional delicacy. In recent years, however, there has been a shift toward symbolic sacrifices where the animals are released alive into the sea.

Andi said the animals were seized on Wednesday from a warehouse in Denpasar owned by Jero Mangku Buda. He added Buda had long fronted as a pork vendor, but actually sold turtle meat on the sly.

Police had staked out Buda’s food stall for months before posing as potential turtle meat buyers to make the arrest. During questioning, the suspect told investigators about the warehouse, just 200 meters away from the food stall.

Buda said he had bought the consignment of turtles for Rp 35 million ($3,850) from a fisherman at Amed Harbor in Karangasem a day earlier, who in turn had netted them in the Sulawesi Sea.

He did not tell police whether he had killed or sold any from the batch, but said he often sold off entire turtles for Rp 700,000 each, while serving up turtle meat for Rp 45,000 a portion.

“He says he’s only done it once before, but we’re not buying it,” Bali Police spokesman Gde Sugianyar Dwi Putra said. “In the meantime, we’re tracking down the supplier.”

Buda would likely be charged with poaching, which could see him face up to five years in prison and Rp 100 million in fines, Sugianyar said.

Police will deliver the 71 turtles to the Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) office in Bali, which plans to release them into the sea from Kuta Beach.

“For now, though, we’ll keeping them at the turtle conservation center in Serangan,” BKSDA Bali head Pamen Sitorus said.

Indonesia implemented a turtle trade ban in 1999, and rejected a proposal last year by Bali Governor I Made Mangku Pastika to set an annual quota of 1,000 animals for sacrificial ceremonies. However, high demand has driven the trade underground, with police foiling several smuggling attempts in recent years.

In February 2009, police stopped a boat carrying 26 turtles, while in July a shipment of 42 turtles from Java was foiled. In September, authorities seized 140 kilograms of turtle meat.

RI, A`lia agree to develop tuna farming

Antara News, Monday, May 17, 2010 20:58 WIB

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesia and Australia have agreed to cooperate in developing tuna farming in Bali province, Indonesian Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Fadel Muhammad said.

"Australia has agreed to provide US$10 million in funds to develop tuna farming including offshore tuna farming in Indonesia," Fadel said after a meeting between the Indonesian Maritime Council and the House of Representatives` Commission IV here on Monday.

The project would be carried out in Bali, he said.

The Australian funds would also be used for marine researches in Indonesia, he said.

He said there had been proposal to take advantage of around 360 used oil rigs in the Indonesian waters for fish farming.

"I think it is good idea to take advantage of the used oil rigs for deep sea fish farming or offshore port. But we still have to study the possibility of using them," he said.He said his office would discuss the matter with relevant agencies.

"The cost of dismantling the used oil rigs is large or about the same as the cost of producing new oil rigs. I will also report the possibility of using the used oil rigs for fish farming to the President," he said.

Boat capsizes, killing three

Antara News, Sunday, May 16, 2010 22:47 WIB

Cilacap, C Java, (ANTARA News) - A boat carrying 34 domestic tourists capsized in Citanduy river serving as the border between Central Java and West Java on Sunday, killing three people.

Suharyanto, head of Patimuan subdistrict, Cilacap district, Central Java, confirmed the accident saying 24 people survived the accident and seven others were missing.

"We received the news at around 08.30 a.m. We are searching for the seven missing passengers now," he said.

The boat capsized after being hit by a large wave at the river`s estuary on its way back from Masigid Sela cave at Ujunggalang village in Cilacap district, Central Java, to Kalipucang pier in Ciamis district, West Java.

The three dead victims were identified as Ratinah (45), Warti (50), and Kasminah (50).

Komodo, Indonesia: Into the dragons' den

Sailing on a schooner around eastern Indonesia, Natalie Paris mixes sunbathing on deck with a spot of island exploration - and a meeting with the carnivorous lizards of Komodo.

Telegraph.co.uk, By Natalie Paris, 11:09AM BST 10 May 2010

While not exactly fire-breathing, these large monitor lizards have an acute sense of smell, large claws and a toxic bite

Indonesia's vast archipelago has always lured adventurers, with tales of stormy straits, desert islands and man-eating dragons. European trading ships sailed here in the 16th century in search of treasures. These days the Spice Islands, now known as Maluku, have fallen off the charts of the average seafarer, but farther south, legends of dragons live on. Here lie remote islands perfect for modern voyages of discovery.

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Dirk Bergsma, a latter-day explorer, got his first taste of the country in the Seventies when he caught a lift on a wooden schooner locals used to transport cargo. The journey inspired him to found a tour company, Sea Trek, that organises intrepid but relaxed cruises along the old spice routes. "You can sail to places so incredible you can't believe they still exist," he says.

Nearly two decades after Dirk bought his first schooner, I joined 14 other passengers boarding another on an adventure of our own. We might have had gin-and-tonics, sun loungers and a wonderful crew who rinsed our walking boots for us, but we still felt like adventurers.

Each day would start with some sailing, typically past pods of dolphins and lackadaisical turtles

The double-masted Katharina sails all over the eastern archipelago, including to Maluku, but our voyage was the most accessible that she offers – a 10-day trip east from Bali to the island of Flores and back. This popular itinerary allowed us to make various stops within the Komodo National Park, a diver's haven with sharks and manta rays below the surface, and above it, the island homes of one of the world's most impressive creatures – the Komodo dragon.

While not exactly fire-breathing, these large monitor lizards have an acute sense of smell, large claws and a toxic bite. Although they eat mainly carrion, they prey on deer and water buffalo, and have killed a human as recently as 2009. From Ari, our companionable guide on board the Katharina, I learnt that the dragons eat their dead and are cannibals, forcing their young to live in trees for up to five years to avoid being attacked. Suddenly our planned two-hour hike to spot them seemed less appealing, knowing that they could be anywhere around us – on land, in branches above us, in the sea. That's right. They swim, too.

An encounter with the lizards is certainly the most obvious reason to explore this scattering of volcanic islands, but there are plenty of others. In the couple of days before we went in search of dragons, the boat stopped at Flores ("Flowers"), an island named by the Portuguese that has smoking cones, fertile flanks and forested ridges studded with the tin roofs of villages glinting in the sun.

The winding island road, forever either climbing or falling, is lined with Catholic churches, neat wooden houses and tethered goats, pigs and tawny cows. As our driver negotiated the many switchbacks through the lush interior, old women squatting next to fires of coconut husks smiled up at us through lips stained red by betel-nut juice, and schoolchildren yelled "Hello, mister" at every bend.

We had come inland to see the dramatic crater lakes at the top of Mount Kelimutu, which change colour depending on mineral levels and have, in the past, been a rainbow palate of brown, cream, red, blue and emerald green. Kelimutu's three lakes have a spiritual meaning for locals and represent the afterlife.

The dramatic crater lakes at the top of Mount Kelimutu have, in the past, been a rainbow palate of brown, cream, red, blue and emerald green

At sunrise, two lakes that were brilliant turquoise during my visit were the first to be bathed in light. These are the two that welcome the spirits of the good and the young, and the sun gave them a pinky halo. Yet a chill remained at the third, on the other face of the mountain, supposedly the resting place of evil spirits. This lake was as black as an inkwell and, while it was shrouded in shadows, an air of foreboding was almost tangible.

That feeling returned a few days later on the boat, as we checked our zoom lenses and prepared to set foot on Rinca island, dragon territory. Rinca and neighbouring Komodo, where the dragons also live, have a more arid landscape than Flores. Shoes or flip-flops, I wondered? Apparently the dragons can launch themselves into a sprint as quickly as a small dog. Shoes it was, then. I had just started to weigh up whether it would be safer to stride out with the ranger or stay close to the group when our first group of dragons appeared right in front of us.

Six or seven lay under a ranger's hut, the occasional yellow forked tongue sliding from square jaws. They were just as big as I had imagined. Shutters whirred and we edged nearer. "Careful," one of the rangers said. "Not too close."

For a minute the dragons seemed docile. But then something disturbed the group. In a flash they rose up on haunches encased in folds of scales and darted forward at speed, their thick bodies switching from side to side in a manner that was alarming in something 10 feet long. Deep inside, some innate urge screamed "Run".

I flinched and the ranger laughed. "Don't worry," he said, waving a stick as if idly flapping at a mosquito. "Their noses are really sensitive; they will run away." We had no choice but to believe him and follow him into the woods.

These stocky predators are the largest lizards on earth and are a protected species. There are only about 4,000 of them living in the wild, all found on this cluster of islands. We spotted one with its head close to the ground, camouflaged by the trees. "He is waiting for a monkey," the ranger said. Sure enough, 15 yards along the track we saw a young family of long-tailed macaques skipping along the forest floor.

On the crest of a hill another dragon sat on its hind legs, leaning against a rock and staring down at the bay where the Katharina was docked. Fearing an ambush of the kind recently filmed by the BBC's Life crew – in which dragons had sat mercilessly waiting for a wounded buffalo to die, tongues flicking in anticipation – our group filed back down to the jetty with new purpose.

It was a pleasure to return to the blissfully relaxing routine of the Katharina. Soon I was sitting with my legs over her bow, sea salt in my hair and the waves slapping at my bare soles, watching another uninhabited island slip out of view.

On board were seven air-conditioned, amply appointed cabins, shared by passengers from all over Europe. We ate communal dinners with wine at a large, deck-top dining table and there were sun loungers for optional massages against the backdrop of sublime sunsets. The small lounge and bar downstairs was the perfect nook for nightcaps, and the crew raised handsome maroon sails whenever there was a brisk wind.

Each day would start with some sailing, typically past pods of dolphins and lackadaisical turtles, sheets of ferocious currents and whirlpools. Then, as we travelled slowly back to Bali, we would drop anchor in order to visit island communities on Flores, Sumbawa and Lombok. Some demonstrated how to weave ikat cloth, others how to master the steps of traditional dances.

In Sumbawa we disembarked onto a beach at Wera, where village children ran out to greet us and show us half-built wooden ships positioned like breakers along the black sand. Skilfully made but incomplete, they resembled skeletal Mary Celestes that required years of crafting before they could be blessed and put out to sea.

Sumptuous lunches would be dished up on board before afternoons spent snorkelling or exploring pristine beaches, such as the smudged pink sand at Gili Banta, turquoise bays around Riung and the corals at Gili Lawa.

Afternoons would be spent snorkelling or exploring pristine beaches, such as the turquoise bays around Riung

We came to learn that other passengers had enjoyed previous voyages on the Katharina. At night they swapped stories under the stars of journeys further east, of meeting warrior tribes and sailing through the Alor strait, where "there was nothing but swirling seas". A retired Dutchman told me on our final night: "You should come when we sail to Papua. Now that is truly magnificent."

As we approached the glittering lights of Bali's coastline, I felt every bit the returning explorer, with a successful voyage and encounter with fearsome reptiles under my belt. Even in this day and age, new adventures are always possible at sea.

Explore

(0844 499 0901; www.explore.co.uk) offers 16-night "East Indies Seatrek" tours including a 10-day Bali-Flores-Bali voyage on the Katharina between May and October. The trip includes four nights in a hotel in Bali on a b & b basis and nine nights' full board in ensuite cabins on the schooner: prices from £2,370 with international flights; £1,621 without. Between July and August, places are available for children at £2,478, with adult places costing £2,601, both with flights.

Sea Trek

(0062 361 283358; www.anasia-cruise.com) offers a range of voyages on the Katharina to Indonesian destinations farther afield.