TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti said that Indonesia's coral reefs are currently facing threats.
"Not only in Indonesia but also in the world, in general, the number of coral reefs continues to decline dramatically due to global warming, illegal fishing, and other destructive activities. This should be our concern," said Susi Pudjiastuti in a written statement received on Thursday, December 6, 2018, during the sidelines of a working visit in Monaco.
The visit was conducted to see and study The Scientific Center of Monaco as a reference for the construction of the Pangandaran Integrated Aquarium and Marine Research Institute (PIAMARI) and the Morotai Integrated Aquarium and Marine Research Institute (MIAMARI), which will be finished in the near future.
Susi and the Indonesian delegations were welcomed by the President of the Monaco Scientific Center Patrick. They discussed illegal fishing and coral reef conditions in Indonesia.
Susi was accompanied by the Director General of Marine Management (PRL) of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) Brahmantya Satyamurti Poerwadi and Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Indonesian Ambassador (LBBP) for France, Andora, and Monaco, Lt. Gen. Hotmangaradja MP Pandjaitan.
Susi and her entourage also conducted a follow-up study by looking at the facilities available at the Monaco Scientific Center accompanied by Marine Biology researcher Didier Zocolla.
On the same day, the entourage also met with the Honorary Consul of the Republic of Indonesia for Monaco, Mahmoud Shaker Al-Abood to discuss opportunities and relations between the two countries in the field of maritime affairs and fisheries and other related issues.
Susi Pudjiastuti and the entourage also attended the Coordination Meeting with the International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI) Joint Leadership at the Monaco Oceanographic Museum.
On this occasion, Susi met with Minister Plenipotentiary, Special Adviser to the Prime Minister on Sustainable Development Issues Monaco, Bernard Faultier; Vice-president Chief Executive Officer of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation; and Margaret Johnson General Manager of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority of Australia.
The meeting was a pre-meeting of the 2018-2020 ICRI Joint Leadership (Indonesia, Monaco and Australia) before the holding of the 33rd ICRI General Session the next day, 5-7 December, in Monaco.
MUHAMMAD HENDARTYO
