Chamber Of Commerce Urges Government To Prioritize Coral Reef Cultivation

Jakarta (Antara Bali)- The Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) has called on the maritime affairs and fisheries ministry to prioritize a coral reef cultivation program to restore the country's damaged coral reefs.

"We urge the government to make coral reef cultivation and conservation a national priority," Deputy Chairman of Kadin in charge of maritime and fishery affairs Yugi Prayanto stated here, Tuesday.

He cited a data of the Indonesian Navy's Marines that pegs the current value of coral reefs globally at US$352 thousand per hectare per year.

The value is calculated from the revenues contributed by the tourism sector, fish habitats, and coastal protection.

In another words, the total value is US$9.9 trillion globally, he noted in a press statement.

Coral reefs offer economic and development benefits for the welfare of the communities in 94 countries including Indonesia.

In 2014, Indonesia has 199 maritime conservation areas spanning a total area of 16.45 million hectares, and coral coverage of 2,517,858 hectares.

"It means, Indonesia has an opportunity to enjoy greater benefits from coral reef conservation and cultivation," he stated.

The Kadin, in cooperation with the Indonesian Navy, has played its part in restoring coral reefs by cleaning them.

He also urged companies to allocate parts of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds to help a movement to restore and preserve coral reefs.

In the meantime, the maritime affairs and fisheries minister has pointed out that around 70 percent of the coral reefs in Indonesia are damaged and need to be restored.

"Currently, only 30 percent of the coral reefs are in good condition, while the remaining 70 percent are damaged," Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti noted in a statement, here, on Sunday (Aug. 9).

Coral reefs have been damaged mostly due to human activities such as fishing using explosives and potassium and marine litter, she stated.

These actions to save the coral reefs are expected to help preserve and protect coral reefs sustainably, according to Pudjiastuti.

 Indonesia, as a founder of the Coral Triangle Initiative (CTI), is known as a diverse nation.  The country's rich marine biodiversity is also called the "Amazon of the Sea." (WDY)