Jakarta (Greeners) – Minister of Marine and Fisheries Affairs, Susi Pudjiastuti, said government has issued regulations to keep Indonesian waters beautiful and productive as President Joko Widodo instructed the ministry to fight illegal, unreported, unregulated fishing (IUU Fishing).
“We have claimed sovereignty over our oceans to Indonesians by chase away foreign vessels stealing our fishes. We have regulated fishing zones, fishing tools, and stop destructive fishing activities. We are pushing for sustainable management. We are now protecting oceans together. Don’t trash oceans with plastic waste that can harm marine lives. No more hunting endangered fish species. Let’s protect oceans for the sake of our children and grandchildren,” said Minister Susi in Jakarta on Saturday (06/04/2019).
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Furthermore, she said that one of the biggest threat for oceans is waste, especially plastic.
One easy way for all people, especially sea lovers communities, is to clean up beaches and oceans wherever they go or do their activities.
“President has issued presidential regulation in 2018 on marine waste management. I ask for all officials in the country to implement this regulation. Plastic straw is dangerous stuff, it’s better to drink coconut water directly [without straw],” she said.
Apart from waste, Indonesian oceans are also facing massive exploitation. Ministry of Marine and Fisheries Affairs have issued regulations to support healthy marine management and beneficial for Indonesia. Sustainable management will increase competitiveness of Indonesian fisheries in world market, through tracking and fish quality, either from catch and farming.
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Meanwhile, Kaka “Slank”, who is also co-founder of Pandu Laut Nusantara said that there are things to do to protect seas, such as follow the principles of responsible diver or “diver rese”.
These principles, he said, are related to the attitude while diving, including not destroying coral reefs, not disrupting marine lives and actively cleaning waste found in the sea or beach.
“Diver rese is another word for under the sea sanitary workers. Two years ago, I was given a net bag, I always bring the net every time I go dive up to this date. Unfortunately, plastic waste lies in the bottom of the seas are piling. Previously, nine years ago, the wastes piled up in the surface but now they are at the bottom of the sea. Hence, there are lots of incidents [where] whales ate plastics,” he said.
Ridho “Slank” also said that one of the inhabitant islands in Raja Ampat has massive waste, which came either by currents or dumped during transits.
“They got all kinds of waste, from instant noodles to oil plastics. The place is beautiful and neat but with piling wastes, it’s such a shame. We dived 30-40 meters yesterday, we found wastes, from car tires to canned drinks,” he said.
Marzuki of Kill The DJ, one of Pandu Laut Nusantara influencer, said “each of us has unique abilities. For me, I set up Youtube broadcast. All of those unique abilities if collaborated to protect seas will show impacts. So, instead of just thinking about how to get good spot, but we also help to protect the environment,” he said.
Reports by Dewi Purningsih
21 Apr 2024 
