TEMPO.CO, Kendari - A large number of coral reefs' ecosystem in the waters of Southeast Sulawesi is in a bad condition. Based on the Southeast Sulawesi Expedition report conducted by the WWF-Indonesia, the damages are shown from its low level of hard coral layers and the high amount of the coral rubble and its sedimentation level.

“Southeast Sulawesi waters is under serious threats caused by the increased nickel mining activities in the province,” said Estradivari, WWF-Indonesia Marine Conservation Coordinator, on Sunday, November 13, 2016.

There are other factors threatening the livelihood of the coral reefs, such as the blooming of crown-of-thorns starfish (Acanthaster planci) that reached 30 activities per location based on the October 14-25 data. The use of explosives that reached seven explosions in one location is also the problem. “Meanwhile, (our) team can still observe the uses of coral reefs as building foundations in a number of coastal villages,” Estra said.

Conservation and Rehabilitation Staff of the Marine and Fishery Agency, Southeast Sulawesi Province, AnungWijaya said that the agency has conducted a biophysical study in observing the inter-regions relation in order to optimize the network of conservation areas in Southeast Sulawesi waters.

The result of this study suggests the establishment of three groups of marine protected area networks in the province. “Lasolo Bay Marine Nature Park (TWAL) and the Southeast Sulawesi Province Regional Aquatic Conservation Area (KKPD) are a part of the groups,” Aanung said.

AHMAD FAIZ