Marine Conservation Efforts – West Papua Province is aware of its natural wealth not owned by other provinces in Indonesia.
Various marine conservation efforts continue to be carried out so that marine and fishery resources can be managed carefully for sustainability.
Seven Marine Conservation Efforts in West Papua
Preserving the sea means keeping half of the ecosystem on earth. Many habitats and species in the ocean, such as various types of fish, coral reefs, and squid, need marine conservation efforts.
If people take good care of the environment and the sea, the temperature in all areas will stabilize.
So, if you are confused about where to start to save the sea in West Papua, here are seven marine conservation efforts that you can do from now on:
1. Create the Bird’s Head Seascape Area
The existence of the Bird’s Head Seascape Area (BLKB) in West Papua is a priority area for marine conservation efforts for the world.
Until 2020, marine conservation efforts led by the Government of Indonesia in partnership with indigenous peoples,
Universities and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have successfully designated more than 23.6 million hectares of conservation areas.
It covers an area of 5.2 million hectares. Formation and management through Marine Protected Areas (KKP) in BLKB. The high biodiversity of marine biota in BLKB is a trigger for the importance of conservation.
BKLB supports around 52,000 people in coastal and marine areas. Approximately 70 percent of the income of coastal communities and 70 percent of protein sources come from marine resources.
The largest MPA is in BLKB, and is in Cenderawasih Bay. The area is around 1,453,000 ha and is currently being managed by the Cenderawasih Bay National Park Office.
2. Declaration of the Makbon District as a Conservation District
Since August 18, 2021, the Makbon District in Sorong Regency has become a conservation district.
The declaration is by West Papua Provincial Regulation No. 13/2019 concerning Zoning Plans for Coastal Areas and Small Islands (RZWP3K).
There is a mandate that the West Papua Provincial Government must fulfill to allocate sea space in the form of a water conservation area.
It is because the function of the marine conservation area is very specific and has many benefits.
With the existence of a west papua conservation area, the West Papua Provincial Government will be even stronger in convincing the public that this effort will have a positive impact in the future.
The designation of a conservation area in West Papua is part of efforts to manage marine areas using blue economy principles. It can strike a balance between ecosystem sustainability and economic growth.
3. Reducing Plastic Use and Use of Liquid Waste
According to Condor Ferries, there are 5.25 trillion plastic waste in the oceans, killing 100 million animals each year.
As many as 100,000 of them died because they were entangled in plastic without being able to escape.
That is a big reason for humans to reduce their consumption of plastic. In addition, when using chemical products, liquid waste will be waste in the sea.
In addition, people can replace plastic materials commonly use for product packaging with materials that can be recycled.
This waste also can be threatening if it contains hazardous chemicals. Therefore, the community needs to help preserve the sea by reducing the use of toxic chemicals in everyday life.
Use products free of harmful toxins and dispose of chemical waste properly so it doesn’t pollute the sea.
4. Eat Safe Seafood
Consumption of safe seafood that does not endanger the sea is a marine conservation effort, including in West Papua. For example, don’t eat shark fins. Shark fins are usually cut from live sharks.
Nearly 100 sharks are kill by humans each year, only to have their fins remove and left to die in the ocean.
Besides shark fins, humans are also prohibite from consuming protect aquatic animals such as turtles, whales and dolphins.
5. Reducing Energy Consumption
Reducing the consumption of electricity and fossil fuels is one of the efforts of the marine conservation effort.
By reducing the burning of fossil fuels, humans can prevent acid rain from occurring, which can damage aquatic ecosystems.
Excess energy used can cause acid rain, which can damage the sea.
Therefore, it is better to reduce electricity use, such as turning off lights during the day and unplugging electronic devices that are not in use.
In addition, it can also replace fossil fuels with alternative fuels that are more environmentally friendly.
6. Maintaining the Conservation of Marine Habitats
The sea is a habitat for many aquatic animals on the earth. As fellow living things, humans should respect the marine habitat as a place for the animals below it to live.
Humans can preserve marine habitats by carefully guarding them and not using hazardous materials in the sea, such as explosives or dangerous chemicals.
In addition, catching fish is enough to meet needs, and as a source of income, it means something other than hunting fish on a large scale.
Humans should not use fish bombs and trawlers because it harms many marine organisms and damages coral reefs.
Catching fish in Indonesia’s marine areas still has many problems for human survival and ecosystem conservation.
One of the problems arises from the Maximum Sustainable Yield fishing pattern, which is mostly carry out in Indonesia.
7. Reducing Air Pollution
Air pollution that causes global warming increases the earth’s temperature, including the sea level. As a result, marine animals and plants can die due to extreme temperature changes.
However, humans can prevent air pollution by reducing the use of motor vehicles that produce carbon gas. Instead, use available public transportation, walk or cycle.
The sea is an important ecosystem that needs to maintain its natural balance.
Therefore, you should also actively care for the sea. After knowing how to care for the ocean, you can change daily habits that can help as a marine conservation effort.
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