TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - An environmentalist from Indonesian Forum for Ecosystem (Walhi) Wahyu Perdana stated there is economic and ecological impact caused by Pertamina crude oil spill in Balikpapan Bay. He mentioned all crabs and seaweed farming have been damaged.

“For a long-term, the ecological damage and the extinct of plankton as fish’s food might affect fisherman’s livelihood which leads to the social economy,” Wahyu told Tempo, Sunday, April 8.

Wahyu explained the mangrove and coral reef polluted by oil spill affected the population of marine life. Moreover, fish and crabs in the area are living sources for coastal communities.

It is recorded that as many as 162 fishermen could not go fishing due to the damaged boat machine caused by the oil spill, 17,000 hectares of mangrove polluted in five areas in Padang Lamun, and plants habitat in Tempadung river, Berenga, Langu Beach, Tanjung Batu, and Wain river have possibly died. “There are four protected mammals that forced to leave its habitat,” he added.

Read: Pertamina Oil Spill May Lead to Possible Ecological Disaster

According to Wahyu, referred to the law on Environmental Protection and Management No. 32/2009, chapter 166, criminal charges could be handed down to the company. In addition, in chapter 88, the company has full responsibility for it.

Environment and Forestry Minister Siti Nurbaya Bakar stated the ministry is still monitoring the condition in Balikpapan Bay and called Pertamina to do efforts handling the oil spill in several points as to prevent its spreading.

The state-owned oil and gas company Pertamina claimed to have coordinated with Criminal Directorate of East Kalimantan Police to investigate the cause of the broken pipeline which leads to the oil spill in Balikpapan Bay which the company assumed due to external factors.

CHITRA PARAMAESTI