Navy grants ferry to Sangihe administration

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Mon, 01/31/2011

The Indonesian Navy granted on Monday a ferry to the Sangihe islands administration, North Sulawesi, to help resolve its protracted sea transportation problems.

Indonesian Navy chief Adm. Seoparno handed over the ferry to the administration, witnessed by among others North Sulawesi Governor Sarundajang.

Sangihe islands deputy regent Jabes Gaghana said the ferry would be used to transport people from Tahuna to Manado and back.

Indonesian Ferry Fire Kills 11

Jakarta Globe, Fidelis Satriantanti & AFP | January 28, 2011

Port officials carry a ferry fire survivor at port in Merak, Banten province,
Indonesia, Friday, Jan. 28, 2011. A transportation ministry spokesman said
the ferry carrying hundreds of passengers has caught fire in Indonesia
early Friday. (AP Photo)

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At least 11 people were killed when a fire broke out on a ferry caught fire traveling between the Indonesian islands of Java and Sumatra overnight, the transportation ministry said Friday.

The ferry caught fire in the Sunda Strait, about three kilometers from the port of Merak at the westernmost tip of Java, at around 3.30am.

"11 people have been killed, and 427 people have survived. We don't know how many people are missing, hopefully there are none,” the transportation ministry's director for maritime passenger services Wiratno said.

The survivors had abandoned the ferry wearing life jackets.

Joko Sulaksono the ministry's directorate general of land transportation said many passengers were transferred to Krakatau Medika hospital in Cilegon near Merak for treatment.

Joko said a vehicle inside the ferry was the suspected source of the fire.

The Indonesian archipelago of more than 17,000 islands is heavily dependent on ferry services but the industry has a poor safety record and fatal accidents are common.

Up to 335 people were killed when a heavily overloaded ferry sank off the island of Sulawesi in January 2009.

Malaysian navy detains 41 fishermen from Indonesia: media

English.news.cn   2011-01-27

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan. 27 (Xinhua) -- The Malaysian navy has held 41 fishermen, who were on board the fishing boat that was said to have encroached into the Malaysian waters Tuesday night, local newspaper Sin Chew Daily reported on Thursday.

An officer from the Malaysian maritime enforcement unit said the boat, originated from the Sumatera island in Western Indonesia, was detained about 25 nautical miles northwest of the island, according to the newspaper.

The daily quoted the officer as saying that the Malaysian navy had interrogated the fishermen on the boat, finding them entering the Malaysian waters without permission.

The officer added that the fishermen, including the skipper, had also failed to produce any identification documents when being inspected.

Under the Malaysian law, the skipper faces a maximum fine of 1 million ringgit (327,869 U.S. dollars), while the rest a fine not exceeding 100,000 ringgit (327,869 U.S. dollars).

Editor: Xiong Tong

Indonesians, two foreigners nabbed in piracy attempt

The Jakarta Post, Wed, 01/26/2011

An Indonesian Navy ship foiled an attempt by pirates to raid a spice-laden vessel on Tuesday, arresting nine pirates including a Malaysian and a Singaporean, in international waters north of Bintan Island.

The commander of Indonesian Navy Ship Kelabang 828, Maj. Bambang Wasito, said on Wednesday that the perpetrators had tried to capture private vessel MV Lucky Star, which was on its way to Songklak in Thailand on Tuesday before midnight, Tempo.interaktif reported.

The suspects, including seven Indonesians and two foreigners, were taken to a naval base in Batam for interrogation.Loaded with spices, the Indonesian flagged MV Lucky Star left Dumai on Monday with 13 crew members on board.

Bambang said the pirates, who had been on a boat with an outboard motor, had not attempted to resist when the naval ship with 40 navy officers on board approached. The  incident was the first case of piracy in Riau waters reported this year.

An Indonesian Navy ship foiled an attempt by pirates to raid a spice-laden vessel on Tuesday, arresting nine pirates including a Malaysian and a Singaporean, in international waters north of Bintan Island.

The commander of Indonesian Navy Ship Kelabang 828, Maj. Bambang Wasito, said on Wednesday that the perpetrators had tried to capture private vessel MV Lucky Star, which was on its way to Songklak in Thailand on Tuesday before midnight, Tempo.interaktif reported.

The suspects, including seven Indonesians and two foreigners, were taken to a naval base in Batam for interrogation.

Loaded with spices, the Indonesian flagged MV Lucky Star left Dumai on Monday with 13 crew members on board.

Bambang said the pirates, who had been on a boat with an outboard motor, had not attempted to resist when the naval ship with 40 navy officers on board approached. The  incident was the first case of piracy in Riau waters reported this year.

Govt urged to declare extreme weather national disaster

Antara News, Tue, January 25 2011

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Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The People`s Coalition for Fisheries Justice (Kiara) has asked the government to declare the current extreme weather conditions a national disaster as they were preventing thousands of Indonesian fishermen from making their living.

"There are 53 districts and cities in Indonesia which have been impacted by the present extreme weather conditions and 550,000 people are being victimized. Looking at the facts, we urge the government to declare present extreme weather conditions a national disaster," Kiara Secretary General M Riza Damanik said here on Tuesday.

Riza also criticized the divergence between the data collected by Kiara and those issued Marine and Fisheries Ministry where the latter stated extreme weather had impacted 41 districts and cities in Indonesia and a total of 473,983 people.

"The ministry fails to count the damage done in several areas. In Jakarta province, for example, the ministry only studies areas such as Muara Angke and Thousand Islands while there are also other areas like Cilincing, Marunda and Kali Baru where the fishermen cannot go to the sea due to bad weather," Riza said.

Meanwhile Secretary to an NGO called Coalition of Indonesian Traditional Fishermen (KNTI) Dedy Ramanta said the government was slow in handling the problem faced by fishermen.

He suggested the government to set up an insurance system for Indonesian fishermen to help them survive when harsh conditions happened. He also said the government must accurately note the number of fishermen impacted by extreme weather in Indonesia. Such action was needed to ensure that aid was given to the right persons, he said.

Extreme weather in Indonesia is predicted to last until April 2011.

Police send patrol boat to stop illegal fishing in Aceh Tamiang

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Tue, 01/25/2011

Police have sent three boats in efforts to control illegal fishing in Aceh Tamiang.

Aceh Tamiang Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Armia Fahmi said the main patrol boat was the 621 Kutilang patrol boat belonging to Aceh Police, which would be assisted by two speedboats from North Sumatra.

“All units have been deployed and are now on their way to the Aceh Tamiang area,” Fahmi said Tuesday, as quoted by tribunnews.com.

Earlier, Aceh Police asked North Sumatra Police help patrol Aceh Tamiang waters because its own patrol vessels were out of order and previous patrol activities had been conducted using local fishermen’s boats and speedboats.

Tamiang fishermen had previously reported that trawlers from North Sumatra had entered and operated within their area, causing a significant decline in the local catch over the past two weeks.

“Around 30 traditional fishermen came to my house on Tuesday [Jan. 11] and said their area had been invaded by trawlers from North Sumatra”, Aceh Tamiang district chief Bramsyah said.

Port operators say RI’s harbors need dredging

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Mon, 01/24/2011

Many of the nation’s harbors, especially in Bengkulu and Central Kalimantan, have silted up, a state port operator says.

PT Pelindo III director Dharwo Surjanto told a hearing of the House of Representatives’ Commission VI overseeing transportation on Monday that 11 of 43 harbors under its management had silted up.

He said the harbors had not been dredged for a long time. The worst case was in Bengkulu’s port which has not been dredged since 2001, tempointeraktif.com reported.

PT Pelindo II director RJ Lino said he repeatedly asked the government to dredge the harbors under his management, but to no avail. He said harbors should be dredged once every two or three years.

Due to silt, ships often arrive late, which affects and the loading and uploading activities.

PT Pelindo II manages 12 ports in 10 western provinces: Jakarta, Banten, West Java, West Sumatra, Jambi, Bengkulu, Lampung, Bangka Belitung, and West Kalimantan.

PT Pelindo III manages 40 ports in seven provinces: Central Java, East Java, South Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan, Bali, West Nusa Tenggara and East Nusa Tenggara.

Harbors under the management of Pelindo I and Pelindo IV are in better condition because the companies had dredged the harbors by themselves even though it was actually the government’s obligation.

PT Pelindo I’s working area includes Aceh, North Sumatra and Riau; while PT Pelindo IV operates in East Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Maluku and Papua.

Half a Million Indonesian Fishermen Affected by Bad Weather

Jakarta Globe, Armando Siahaan, January 20, 2011

Jakarta. Almost half a million fisherman from 20 Indonesian provinces have been unable to go out to sea because of the bad weather affecting the country, a government minister said on Thursday.

To help the nearly 474,000 fishermen whose livelihoods had been affected by the situation, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Fadel Muhammad urged district heads and governors to dip into rice reserves and funds from the Social Affairs Ministry.

He said, based on the ministry’s calculations, that 13,721 tons of rice were needed for the affected fishermen and their families.

According to a Social Affairs Ministry regulation, in a time of social disaster, the government could distribute 0.4 kg of rice per person for two weeks.

Social Affairs Minister Salim Segaf Al Jufri told reporters that his ministry had approximately Rp 540 billion ($59.4 million) in deconcentration funds distributed to regional governments, which could be used to help the fishermen and their families. A deconcentration fund is the central government’s money handed to provincial administrations for various development programs.

“District heads, governors, please do something to help the fishermen that were affected by the extreme weather,” he said.

The extreme weather has already caused significant flooding and damage to several provinces, including in parts of Java and East Nusa Tenggara.

“The extreme weather is expected to last until April, although the daily situation will fluctuate,” Kukuh Ribudianto, from the National Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), said on Sunday.

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Bantul fishermen switch to farming because of bad weather

Nine boats drifted at Tanjung Priok Port due to extreme weather

Nani Afrida, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Wed, 01/19/2011

High seas and extreme winds over the last three days have caused nine boats to drift into Tanjung Priok port, state port operator PT Pelindo II said Tuesday.

The boats included four tug boats and five barges.

“In accordance with our safety regulations, the boats have now been moored to the west and east buoys to clear the shipping lane,” Pelindo II public relations chief Hambar Wiyadi said, adding that the boats would soon be removed from the port.

Hambar also suggested ship operators use more anchors for their boats and instruct crews to anticipate high seas and strong winds.

Russian yacht to anchor in Sabang

Antara News, Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Banda Aceh, Aceh Darussalam (ANTARA News- A Russian yacht named MV Amedia bringing about 500 foreign tourists is to anchor in Sabang, Aceh Province, on January 24, a spokesman said here Tuesday.

"I got information that a cruise ship frOm Russia will visit Sabang carrying about 500 foreign tourists on Monday (Jan 24)," said Ruslan Abdul Ghani, head of the Sabang Enterpreneurs Agency, here Tuesday.

The ship would be at Sabang port for 6 hours while the tourists would visit several tourism objects in the city , he said.

"We would like to guide the tourists around Sabang city and visit some interesting objects in Weh Island," Ruslan said.

Sabang had been included in the international cruise ships agenda based on the result of the Swiss conference a couple of days ago.

On the other hand, he said, the area of trade and free port was potential to be a haven for cruise ships from any countries crossing the Malacca (Economic Exclusive Zone).

"Sabang is strategic enough to be the docks for foreign ships crossing Malacca," he said.

The prospective was because there was a tourism city around Teluk Sabang which could attract many foreigners to come and visit Sabang.

Sabang is located 14 miles from Kota Banda Aceh, northern Sumatra, and appointed as a national tourism object.

Blindfolded dolphins can imitate

Presstv.ir, Sat Jan 15, 2011

Researchers say even blindfolded dolphins can imitate the behavior of other
dolphins, an ability which makes them the world's best imitators after humans.

According to a study published in the International Journal of Comparative Psychology, dolphins can use senses other than sight to figure out the movements of other dolphins.

Researchers at the Dolphin Research Center in the Florida Keys, who blindfolded a seven-year-old bottlenose dolphin named Tanner, found that he could copy other dolphins even though his sight was blocked.

Scientists hope to learn more about the evolution of human cognition by mapping “the dolphin mind.”

"Looking at an animal (which is) so far removed from us and yet shares some cognitive abilities, tells us something about us," Reuters quoted research director of the non-profit center Dr. Kelly Jaakkola as saying.

Not many animals are capable of imitating, she said, adding that although some primates such as chimpanzees can sometimes do it, only humans and dolphins are proficient.

"Most people think, 'Monkey see, monkey do.' It's a complete myth. Dolphins are really good at it. Aside from humans, they're the best at it," Jaakkola explained.

Researchers tested Tanner repeatedly on 31 different behavioral traits in sessions spread over 11 weeks, but he could imitate the behavior of other dolphins far more often than would be expected by chance.

The blindfolded Tanner could imitate 75 percent of the vocal behavior with accuracy, as well as 41 percent of the motor behavior and 50 percent of combined behavior.

"That level of flexibility in imitation has never been seen in a non-human animal," Jaakkola said, adding that Tanner was selected because he "really loves playing games" and was comfortable with eyecups.

The finding is significant due to the fact that Tanner was born in captivity and only wild dolphins are known to imitate each other.

According to Jaakkola, dolphins can also copy each other's distinctive signature whistles, which act as names.

They announce their presence by calling out their own name and imitate another's whistle to call to that animal, she said.

Dolphins make a variety of other whistles and clicks but Jaakkola could not say for sure that the other dolphins had not told Tanner which trick to perform.

"Nobody's been able to find any sort of meaning in (their sounds). That doesn't mean it doesn't exist," she said.

TE/HGH

Bali`s ornamental fish exports up 9.9 pct

Antara News, Sunday, January 16, 2011

Denpasar, Bali (ANTARA News) - Bali province`s ornamental fish exports in the January-November 2010 period rose 9.99 percent to US$1.02 million from the same period the year before.

"The ornamental fish exports fell 0.22 percent by volume compared to the same period in the previous year when 785,202 heads of ornamental fish were shipped," Head of the Bali Provincial Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Office Gusti Putu Nuriatha said here on Sunday.

The drop in the volume of ornamental fish exports was among others the result of unfavorable climate that caused difficulties to fishermen to catch ornamental fish, he said.

After all, the province still had a chance to increase ornamental fish exports in 2011 and the upcoming years, he said.

The ornamental fish was exported to Japan, the United States, Australia and Europe.

Ornamental fish is one of Bali`s 11 aquatic products which have so far penetrated the international market. The province earned US$107.15 million from aquatic product exports in the January-November 2010 period, a 13.28 percent increase compared to the same period the year before when the figure was US$94.59 million.

Gusti Nuriatha said the Bali waters was rich in a wide variety of ornamental fish. Fishermen catch the fish of high economic value near the province`s beaches using very simple instrument.

Maritime International Training Center to be Built in Pangkep

Tempo Interactive, Thursday, 13 January, 2011

TEMPO Interactive, Makassar:A Maritime International Training Center to be built in Pangkep this year will be luxurious and world-class, Saggaf Saleh, the South Sulawesi Manpower and Transmigration Office chief said in Makassar yesterday.

The construction project located in Mandalle sub-district is valued at Rp300 billion. The building will be equipped with supporting equipment for the training. “We will have complete facilities to prepare our manpower to work overseas,” he said.

The training center will have a dormitory with 1,000 rooms for the trainees. The project is fully funded by the state budget and is expected to be completed by 2013. “We are prioritizing the quality, not the quantity,” said Saggaf.

Instructors will also be flown in from the Netherlands, while local instructors will be sent to the Netherlands to improve their skills.

The Takalar Regency previously submitted documents for the building’s construction however, as the land administration was not arranged until the end of 2010, the government relocated it to Pangkep. “It is ready there and close to Makassar,” Saggaf said.

Until 2010, there were 4,850 people from South Sulawesi working overseas, mostly in Malaysia.

According to Saggaf, most South Sulawesi workers are hired as domestic workers or work at cocoa and palm oil plantations. “The technical workers are usually sent to Brunei to work in the oil sector,” he said.

In Saudi Arabia, he continued, around 160 people from South Sulawesi were employed as drivers, cleaners and domestic workers. “We are thankful there are no problems with abuse such as the Sumiati case,” Saggaf said.

This year, another 150,000 workers will be added in South Sulawesi. Therefore, he said, the province needs investors to create job opportunities.

ABD AZIS

Having a whale of a time with a one tonne puppy - diver's dance with a cute cetacean

Daily Mail, By DAILY MAIL REPORTER, 13th January 2011

An underwater cameraman has had a whale of a time while filming off the coast of Tonga.

Roger Munns was in Toku - a region of sheltered bays and inlets on the isolated Pacific Ocean island - in the hope of catching on film the mating rituals of giant humpback whales.

But while he was able to observe plenty of bulls competing with each other to win a mate, the star of Roger's production turned out not to be one of the fully-grown, 45ft gentle giants.

Flipper to flipper: Underwater cameraman Roger Munns gets up
close and personal with the calf

For while the heavyweight males were obviously too pre-occupied with their own love match, an inquisitive calf approached the cameraman looking for a playmate - and spent the next hour posing before the lens.

Roger, from Cornwall, said: 'I've heard about calves doing this but I was not prepared for the playful nature at all.

Getting the hump: The whale cavorted before the camera and
appeared inquisitive about his new playmate

That's no bull: While the adult males fought for mating rights, the
young calf was much more interested in playing

'He seemed to scamper towards us like a giant excited pony and wanted to play tag like a little puppy. I couldn't help but laugh as the calf kept bumping into me with an extremely naughty glint in its eye, but it was clearly in the name of fun.

'Up close you suddenly realised just how big it actually was. The games continued for an hour and I have to admit it was probably one of the most enjoyable hours I have spent in the water.'

Let's roll: The baby humpback enjoyed playing a game of tag

Role reversal: Normally behind the viewfinder, wildlife photographer
Roger poses for the camera while exploring the waters around Tonga

Huge Waves Destroy Homes in East Indonesia

"Like tsunami, the huge walls of waters destroy everything on the coast"

VIVANews, RABU, 12 JANUARI 2011, 10:24 WIB Ismoko Widjaya

VIVAnews - Scores of homes on the coastal area of Sikka Regency, East Nusa Tenggara, were severely damaged by massive waves of more than 3 meters in height last night. More than 500 people are seeking refuge to safer places.

Huge waves thumping coastal area
(VIVAnews/Nurcholis Anhari Lubis)

"I've lost my house. Like tsunami, the huge walls of waters destroy everything on the coast," said Nikodemus Domi, an inhabitant of Kelurahan Waioti, today, Jan 12.

The local administration has deployed an emergency response team to assist and evacuate the affected people.

43 homes are found destroyed and collapsed into the sea. In addition, dozens of fishermen's boats were smashed by the waves.

Extreme weather also caused whirlwind to take place in some other areas in the province.

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Rehobot Ship from Oeba harbor was also thumped by the high waves on Tuesday. As many as 15 passengers and ship crews were rescued by local fishermen who happened to be around the scene.

"Most of the passengers jumped into the sea on jerry cans and boards. Fishermen then came to the rescue," said the ship's captain, Yusuf Ton.

Coverage by: Jemris Fointuna | Kupang

Translated by: Bonardo Maulana W

Southeast Sulawesi to have seaweed processing plants soon

Antara, Otniel Tamindael, Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Southeast Sulawesi provincial government`s dream to have seaweed processing plants will soon be realized this year.

The seaweed processing plants will soon be established in the districts of Muna and Wakatobi in an effort to step up regional revenue.

"Two large-scale seaweed processing plants will in the near future be established respectively in the districts of Muna and Wakatobi," Southeast Sulawesi Governor Nur Alam said in the provincial city of Kendari on Tuesday.

Nur Alam said he had asked all regional working units (SKPD) in the province to direct the people economic empowerment funds to the two districts where the seaweed processing plants would be established.

"The cooperatives and small and medium businesses (UKM) have the people economic empowerment funds of around Rp19 billion, and therefore I hope the funds will be directed to assist the development of seaweed cultivation in Wakatobi and Muna districts," Nur Alam said.

According to the governor, the local government would also fully support the development of seaweed cultivation in Wakatobi and Muna districts following the establishment of the two processing industries of the commodity there.

He added the existence of two seaweed processing plants in Wakatobi and Muna was expected to open a wider job opportunities for the people of the two districts in particular and those of South Sulawesi in general.

"In principle, the establishment of the two seaweed processing industries will open a wider job opportunity for the local people, and in turn it will improve the welfare of Southeast Sulawesi people as a whole," the governor said.

Meanwhile, Wakatobi District Development Planning Agency spokesman Abdul Manan said the establishment of seaweed processing industries in the districts of Muna and Wakatobi would directly be handled by seven ministries in the United Indonesia Cabinet phase 2 through the local economic development program.

According to Abdul Manan, the seven ministries were among others Ministry for Cooperatives and Small and Medium Enterprises (UKM), State Enterprises Ministry (BUMN), Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry, Trade Ministry, Industry Ministry, and State Ministry for Disadvantaged Regions.

He said the seven ministries would also help the local people manage the seaweed seedling, cultivation, and post-harvest handling to meet the demand of the two processing industries.

Abdul Manan added that in Wakatobi alone the seaweed potential was big enough and could reach hundreds of tons per year for the local economic development.

"Wakatobi coastal area has a total of 4,721 hectares which are very potential for seaweed cultivation but unfortunately only around 734 hectares have been used so far," Abdul Manan said.

Southeast Sulawesi maritime and fisheries office spokesman Abdul Salam has ever said in Kendari that seaweed commodity in the province was in abundance and therefore many domestic and foreign investors had expressed their eagerness to invest.

"But unfortunately the prices of the seaweed commodity in the province are unstable because many middlemen intentionally want to damage the prices," he said.

Therefore he added that the abundant commodity should be processed into half done material through a processing industry.

He said the province has very strategic waters for seaweed cultivation and its potential is promising for the development of the seaweed industry.

According to him, investment of seaweed in Southeast Sulawesi should be promoted by the government and the farmers.

Through the maritime affairs and fisheries ministry, Indonesia is working out an ambitious plan to make itself a world seaweed production center in the coming five years.

To achieve this goal, the government is planning to create 60 seaweed cultivation clusters, restrict and then stop dried seaweed exports and build local seaweed processing industries, although they have yet to be developed optimally.

So far, only about 15 percent of Indonesia`s seaweed exports are in the form of processed products while the remaining 85 percent are in the form of dried seaweed.

In order to increase supply for domestic seaweed processing industries, a seaweed cluster development scheme was launched in various parts of the country.

The efforts to cultivate seaweed cluster schemes are being made to integrate upstream and downstream processing so that production can become optimal and have added value.

In Southeast Sulawesi the seaweed farming is a predominant activity, largely because of the accessibility of protected inshore waters and the ideal ambient environmental conditions.

The commonly cultured seaweed is Kappaphycus cottoni (formerly Eucheuma).

Unlike grouper and lobster farming, seaweed farming is typically a family activity, with all adults of the household being involved in one way or the other.

The seaweed farming in the province is conducted in community-based clusters with each consisting of 10 to 15 families.

Although seaweed farming is currently profitable, it is also a farming system that is very environmentally friendly as it is carbon sequestering.

Meanwhile, seaweed product in South Sulawesi province this year is targeted to reach 880,000 tons.

South Sulawesi provincial administration spokesman for economic affairs Amal Natsir said in Makassar on Wednesday that the province mainstay commodity had a bigger overseas market opportunity following a food diversification program in a number of target countries.

Illegal trade

The Jakarta Post, Nyoman Budhiana, Antara, Bali | Mon, 01/10/2011

Police and Bali Natural Resources and Conservation Center officers measure green sea turtles at the Bali water police patrol office in Denpasar, Bali, on Monday. The team foiled an illegal attempt to trade the 38 sea turtles from Madura to Bali.

Indonesia, US discuss results of joining oceanic expedition

Antara News, Friday, January 7, 2011

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesian and US officials met in Washington DC Thursday evening to discuss the results of the two countries' joint oceanic expedition conducted in Indonesian waters not long ago.

Speakers at the discussion included Indonesian Ambassador to the US Dino Patti Djalal, US Ambassador to Indonesia Scot Marciel, Indonesian Maritime and Fishery Affairs Minister Fadel Muhammad, Dr. Bruce Alberts, White House Science Envoy, and Dr. Jane Lubchenco, US Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and NOAA Administrator, according to information from the Indonesian embassy in the US capital on Thursday.

The discussion was broadcast live on the Internet (https://statedept.connectsolutions.com/science) to enable the public to interact with the speakers and experts at the discussion.

The US-Indonesian oceanic expedition called INDEX-SATAL 2010 was conducted to explore the ocean, and helping advance knowledge, use and protection of the ocean and its resources.

The 2010 joint expedition was staged from two ships: the NOAA's Okeanos Explorer and the Indonesian research vessel Baruna Jaya IV.

From June to August 2010, an international team of scientists and technicians both on ships and on shore conducted exploratory investigations on the diversity and distribution of deep sea habitats and marine life in Indonesian waters.

They focused on the water column and benthic environments in unknown ocean areas in SATAL - a contraction of Sangihe and Talaud - two island chains stretching northeast of North Sulawesi.

During the expedition US and Indonesian scientists worked side-by-side on two ships, the Okeanos Explorer and the Baruna Jaya IV, and at Exploration Command Centers (ECCs) ashore.

The joint expedition discovered interesting things such as previously unknown submarine volcanoes, a large hydrothermal field with a thriving exotic animal ecosystem and areas rich in deep-sea ocean animals.

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2 million fish found dead in Maryland

CNN News, By the CNN Wire Staff, January 6, 2011

Millions of fish found dead in Chesapeake Bay

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• Officials suspect natural causes in massive fish kill in Chesapeake Bay
• Small spot fish likely succumbed to cold water stress, Maryland officials say
• It's not the first time winter kills of spot fish have been seen in the state

(CNN) -- Authorities in Maryland are investigating the deaths of about 2 million fish in Chesapeake Bay.

"Natural causes appear to be the reason," the Maryland Department of the Environment said in a news release. "Cold water stress exacerbated by a large population of the affected species (juvenile spot fish) appears to be the cause of the kill."

The investigation comes days after the deaths of an estimated 100,000 fish in northwest Arkansas. Authorities suspect disease was to blame there, a state spokesman said.

In Maryland, preliminary tests showed water quality to be acceptable, officials said.

"The affected fish are almost exclusively juvenile spot fish, 3 to 6 inches in length," the Maryland department said. A recent survey "showed a very strong population of spot in the bay this year. An increased juvenile population and limited deep water habitat would likely compound the effects of cold water stress."

Large winter kills of spot fish have occurred at least twice before in the state, in 1976 and 1980, the department said.

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Massive fish kill blankets Arkansas River

Mysterious killing of fish in coastal (Brazil)

Fishermen have found at least 100 tonnes, mainly sardines.

Hundreds of snapper dead on beaches, New Zealand

Haiti & Dominican Republic investigates dead fish mystery

Hundreds of dead fish 'a natural occurrence', St Clair River, Ontario, Canada

40,000 'devils' crabs wash up on Britisch beach after freezing conditions give them hypothermia

Ministry to focus on minapolitan project

Antara News, Thursday, January 6, 2011

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry is to focus on development of Minapolitan areas (fisheries cities) in 41 Indonesian regions this year.

"In 2011, the ministry is to focus on formation of Minapolitan areas consisting of nine fishing based sites, 24 aquaculture sites, and eight central salt sites," said Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Fadel Muhammad during the ministry`s 2011 outlook meeting here Wednesday.

The nine fishing based sites are located in Pelabuhan Ratu, Tamperan Muncar Ternate, Sungai Liat Nusantara Fishery Ports (PPN), Cilacap Bitung, Belawan and Ambon Ocean Fishery Ports (PPS).

The other 24 pilot aquaculture based Minapolitan are located inMuoro Jambi, Kampar, Bogor, Banyumas, Blitar, Gunung Kidul, Morowali, Sumbawa, Sumba Timur, Banjar, Pohuwato, Boyolali, Klaten, Gresik, Lamongan, Serang, Maros, Pangkep, Pesawaran, Bintan, Bangli, Musi Rawas, Pandeglang and Kapuas.

And for the eight salt centers are located in Cirebon, Indramayu, Rembang, Pati, Pamekasan, Sampang, Sumenep, and Nagakeo.

Besides the ministry is also designing a Mega-Minapolitan project in Morotai, North Maluku, in which Taiwan reportedly is interested in developing the island as the center of the largest fisheries for aquaculture and fisheries.

Mega-Minapolitan project is a large scaled Minapolitan where  Major investors will get a number of conveniences and amenities.

Apart from the Minapolitan project, National Community Empowerment Program (PNPM) self marine and fisheries dependent through the Rural Business Development Mina (PUMP), People`s Salt Business Development Salt (PUGR), and peoples micro credit (KUR).

Ministry has also set their 2011 marine and fisheries sector development goal such as to contribute 3.5 percent fishery for the national GDP, 12.26 million tones fishery production (5.41 million tons of fishing and 6.85 million tons of cultivation), and the 3.2 billion US dollars value of fishery exports

Another target is to have 449 units of certified Fish Processing Units (UPI), 112 fishermen exchange values (NTN), 0.9 million hectares of sea and waters conservation area, to manage some 30 outermost small islands, and 75 percent of free illegal fisheries management areas.

Half of Bengkulu`s coral reefs damaged by fish trawls

Antara News, Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Bengkulu (ANTARA News) - About 40 to 50 percent of Bengkulu province`s coral reefs have been damaged by trawls used by fishermen to catch fish, a local fisheries official said.

"The condition of coral reefs along the coast from Kaur to Mukomuko districts has deteriorated so much dues to the use of trawls by fishermen." Bismalinda, head of Bengkulu`s marine and fisheries office, said here Tuesday.

Most local fishermen were not aware of the adverse consequences of the use of trawls for the marine ecosystem, he said.

The damaging process had been going on for a long time and repairing it would take decades. Meanwhile, the degraded condition of the coral reefs had reduced fish` hauls, especially hauls of reef fish and lobsters along the Bengkulu coasts, he added.

The situation was currently being compounded by uncertain weather conditions which further depressed fishermen`s income, he said,

Coral reef damage was also caused by the use of explosives by the fishermen. The practice killed not only big but also small fishes.

Nowadays, he added, it was difficult for fishermen to catch fish near the coastline and they had to go farther out to sea to get fish while their boats could not do that.

To overcome the problem, local fisheries authorities were continuously informing fishermen of the hazards of using trawls and dynamite to catch fish, he said.

The government was making serious efforts to conserve and rehabilitate the coral reefs but they would succeed only with the participation and awareness of the people to preserve the ecosystem of coral reefs, he said.

Stone Age tools found in Crete prove man sailed the sea at least 130,000 years ago

Daily Mail, By DAILY MAIL REPORTER, 4th January 2011

Archaeologists have discovered a set of tools they believe prove that man sailed the sea tens of thousands of years earlier than previously thought.

Discovery: Archaeologists in Crete have found
tools they believe prove man sailed the sea tens of
thousands of years earlier than previously thought

Rough axes and other tools thought to be between 130,000 and 700,000 years old were found close to shelters on the south coast of the Mediterranean island of Crete.

Crete has been separated from the mainland of Greece for about five million years, so whoever made the tools must have travelled there by sea, a distance of at least 40 miles.

The previous earliest evidence was of sea travel was 60,000 years ago; in Greece it was 11,000 years ago.

The findings upset the current view that human ancestors migrated to Europe from Africa by land alone.

The Greek Culture Ministry said in a statement yesterday: 'The results of the survey not only provide evidence of sea voyages in the Mediterranean tens of thousands of years earlier than we were aware of so far, but also change our understanding of early hominids' cognitive abilities.'

The previous earliest evidence of open-sea travel in Greece dates back 11,000 years.

The tools were found during a survey of caves and rock shelters near the village of Plakias by archaeologists from the American School of Classical Studies at Athens and the Culture Ministry.

Such rough stone implements are associated with Heidelberg Man and Homo Erectus, extinct precursors of the modern human race, which evolved from Africa about 200,000 years ago.

Rough axes and other tools thought to be between 130,000 and 700,000 years old were found
close to shelters near the village of Plakias on the south coast of the Mediterranean island

Significant: The previous earliest evidence of sea travel was 60,000 years ago, so the findings
upset the current view that human ancestors migrated to Europe from Africa by land alone

Maria Vlazaki, senior ministry archaeologist, said: 'Up to now we had no proof of Early Stone Age presence on Crete.'

She said it was unclear where the hominids had sailed from, or whether the settlements were permanent.

'They may have come from Africa or from the east,' she said. 'Future study should help.'

The team of archaeologists has applied for permission to conduct a more thorough excavation of the area, which Greek authorities are expected to approve later this year.

Picturesque: Preveli Beach is one of two locations on Crete where the chiseled shards
were found

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