Durian. Kolepom Island waters in Papua has officially become a new marine conservation which is in line with Indonesia’s plan to make 10 percent of its total waters as marine conservation areas by 2030, the Marine Affairs and Fisheries Ministry (KKP) said on Oct.23.
“Indonesia is targeting 10 percent of its waters will become conservation area by 2030, as much as 32.5 million hectare,” Haeru Rahayu, acting director general for marine spatial management at said.
Total marine conservation area of Kolepom Island Waters is 353,287 hectare, particularly for conserving white snapper, prawn, pelagic fish and largetooth sawfish.
The new marine conservation area is situated in Merauke regency, Papua province.
Currently Indonesia has 196 marine conservation, totaling 23.34 million hectare including areas in Papua and West Papua provinces, according to Andi Rusandi, director for conservation and marine biodiversity at the ministry.
Papua and West Papua provinces have marine conservation locations namely Cendrawasih Bay National Park, Lorentz National Park, Padaido Waters, Padaido Waters Tourist Park, Biak Numfor Waters and Kolepom Island Waters.
The two eastern most provinces in Indonesia have total marine spatial of 8.8 million hectare where about 20 percent of it has become conservation spots.