Indonesia must protect coastal areas from further damage, says advocacy group

There are already too much damages to Indonesia’s coastal areas caused by human activities, and the government needs to step in to increase much needed protection, said Suhana from Pandu Laut Nusantara, a non-profit organization, at the annual meeting of Jaring Nusa for Eastern Indonesia, September in Denpasar, Bali.

Jaring Nusa for Eastern Indonesia. Photo credit: Suhana

Suhana said Indonesia is facing challenges from a decline in marine diversity, climate change and securing a sustainable food source from the ocean.  Indonesians who live in coastal community have been depending on the sea for their livelihood and it is imperative for them to be able to fish for a living.  Having the government enacts relevant laws to protect and conserve marine diversity and mitigate climate change will help with revitalizing the ocean.

“Social justice is the key to sustainable marine governance. Everyone deserves equal economic, political and social rights and opportunities. We want to open the doors of access and opportunity for everyone, particularly those in greatest need, like the fishing community in coastal regions,” said Suhana.

“The call for social justice is loud and clear and the government must listen and take action to come up with more initiatives and measures. And we have to strengthen the voices of individuals and communities who take action, especially those who risk their lives to protect the marine and coastal environment.” 

R. Moh. Ismail, coordinator, Indigenous Law Community Group, Directorate of Coastal and Small Islands Utilization, Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (MMAF), at the same event, urged all stakeholders to speak louder on social justice for the fishing community as well as indigenous people who have been living on the coastal areas for generations and depending on the sea for income. A deteriorated marine ecosystem means their livelihoods are threatened.

“Indonesia, an archipelagic country with enormous marine potential, has a strategic interest to protect the marine resources, including the way of life of the fishing community and indigenous people, for the sake of our national development and economic growth.  However, much needs to be done urgently as the threat to the coastal regions is growing from year to year,” Ismail said.

“For example, the Bajau tribe has been displaced from their traditional way of life.  They used to be fishermen who depended on the resources of the sea. But now, they are forced to move inland due to diminishing fish stock and many of them have become motorcycle taxi driver.”

Ismail said the ministry is committed to helping the affected people by improving welfare, facility and infrastructure assistance, including taking care of basic needs. The ministry is also using technology to increase the productivity of fisheries and the quality of fish stock.

Photo credit: Pexels/ Oziel Gómez

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