VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The diversity of Indonesian marine biota is still under threat of degradation due to human activities. The Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) noted that the mangrove deforestation rate in 2020 reached 19.6 thousand hectares per year, then 2018 data stated that 71.2 percent of coral reefs were in poor condition.

"The mangrove deforestation rate is 19.6 thousand hectares / year (KLHK, 2020), 71.2 percent of coral reefs are in bad condition (LIPI, 2018)," said Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, Sakti Wahyu Trenggono as quoted in the Working Meeting on Transformation of BRSDM Towards BPSDM which broadcast on YouTube BRDSM TV, Wednesday (3/8/2022).

To fix this, KKP said Sakti is now trying to expand the conservation area with a target of reaching 30% of Indonesia's marine area. In other words, it will expand the marine conservation area to 32.5 million hectares.

Sakti said the expansion is targeted for completion in 2030. He is also optimistic that this target will be achieved, considering that until 2021 the expansion of the marine conservation area has reached 28.4 million hectares.

"Expanding a closed marine conservation area with a target of 30% of Indonesia's sea area," he explained.

Sakti hopes that this policy will be able to maintain the existing carbon sequestration. This includes increasing the fish population in each Measured Fishing Zone (PIT).

"The target is high carbon value and increasing fish stocks in each PIT zone," he said. (RRI)