Bakamla Explores Cooperation On Maritime Conservation With U.K

Jakarta, (Antara Bali) - The Indonesian Maritime Security Agency (Bakamla) is exploring cooperation with the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS) in the United Kingdom for the preservation of Indonesia's maritime environment.

Bakamla held discussions with CEFAS representatives on Thursday, according to a press release from Bakamla received by Antara on Friday.

CEFAS was represented by CEO Steven Addison, who was accompanied by Deputy Defence Attaché of British Embassy in Jakarta, Indonesia Michael Lynskey.

CEFAS stated it could provide training for handling pollution stemming from oil spills at sea.

According to Addison, the institution that would be commensurate with Bakamla was actually the U.K. Coast Guard.

However, he said that an assessment was first needed to equalize understanding before conducting a technical cooperation.

Addison stated that CEFAS would not restrict cooperation to the fields, which could be addressed by CEFAS alone.

CEFAS and the U.K. Coast Guard mostly conduct research on fishery, pollution management and maritime aspects together.

Other possible cooperation areas could be information exchanges, education and training, joint research and application of early warning systems.

A technical cooperation agreement between Indonesia and the United Kingdom was signed between the Indonesian Coordinating Ministry and the U.K. Trade and Investment Ministry on July 27. (WDY)