The Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) is interested in maintaining marine potential in West Papua Province. The great potential of marine fisheries must be utilised as much as possible for the welfare of the people of West Papua.
One of the efforts made by the KKP is to establish West Papua as a marine fisheries conservation province in the Maksegara waters, which is located on the north coast of West Papua.
In a larger mission, KKP’s efforts are to support nature conservation based on local wisdom. At the same time, it aims to maintain the sustainability of the wealth and potential of marine and fisheries, especially in West Papua.
Ministry of Marine and Fisheries Regulation No. 31/2020 on Management of Conservation Areas states that conservation areas have certain characteristics as a protected and conserved ecosystem unit. It must be sustainably used without destroying the existing ecosystem.
The central government is interested in realising a marine conservation area in West Papua to achieve sustainable marine and fishery resources.
Later, management of the area will adopt the blue economy principle to maintain a balance between ecosystem sustainability and economic growth.
To realise West Papua as a marine fisheries conservation province requires all parties, the central government, regional governments, marine fisheries stakeholders, and all elements of society.
Likewise, acceleration of conservation area management also requires synergy in the preparation of zoning plan documents and strengthening human resource capacity.
Data from the Ministry of Marine and Fisheries states that the area of conservation in West Papua will reach 4.53 million hectares by 2024.
Of this area, this Ministry manages 2.94 million hectares (65%), the Ministry of Forestry and Environment controls 1.46 million hectares (32%), while the remaining 135,300 hectares (3%) are the responsibility of the West Papua Provincial Government.
Marine conservation areas in West Papua have a critical role in increasing marine and fishery resources to enjoy as many marine products as possible in the area.
Central Government Assistance
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In order to maintain and preserve the wealth of marine and fishery resources in West Papua, the central government is committed to continuing to assist related parties to realise a sustainable marine conservation area.
The Ministry of Marine and Fisheries assistance consists of 1 longboat, 1 15 pk outboard engine, 1 laptop, 1 printer, 5 buoys, 1 underwater camera, and 2 field tactical flashlights.
The assistance was given to the Conservation Activating Community Group in South Sorong Regency with an estimated total value of IDR 90 million.
The assistance is a government stimulant to mobilise the community to play an active role in supervising and maintaining the Seribu Satu Sungai Waters Conservation Area in South Sorong Regency with an area of 338,323 hectares.
The Seribu Satu Sungai Waters Conservation Area has many fishery resources, ranging from shrimp, crabs and snapper.
The fishing gear used must be environmentally friendly and follow the specified time. This is because there will be a spawning and spawning season at certain times, especially for snapper and sugar fish.
This assistance is for monitoring activities in the South Sorong conservation area and beneficial actions for the community. The people can use the aid boat as a means of transportation from the village to the South Sorong Regency.
With the availability of equipment, they can help maintain and protect marine biodiversity for the welfare of the people of West Papua.
Here, local governments and the entire community need to manage marine and fishery resources, starting from the planning, utilisation, control and monitoring processes.
Preserving sustainable marine and fishery resources is the shared responsibility of all parties. The determination of West Papua Becomes Marine Fisheries Conservation Province must be a common concern to be wiser in utilising marine resources.
