TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia and the United States have launched a 40 million US dollar program for marine habitat conservation and sustainable management of fishery resources.

“The U.S. and Indonesia have a strong partnership in the maritime sector, including in a new program aimed at conserving vital marine resources,” US Ambassador Joseph Donovan said yesterday in the cooperation signing event at the Marine and Fishery Ministry in Jakarta.

The cooperation, according to him, is also aimed at promoting sustainable management of natural resources.

He said that the program is expected to improve the management of six million hectares of marine habitats, to build and support 15 marine conservation areas, and to improve fishery productivity, food and nutrition security, as well as to foster sustainable livelihood in 13 districts in Maluku, North Maluku and West Papua.

Marine and Fishery Ministry official Nilanto Perbowo explained that the USAID’s marine conservation and sustainable fishery program goes hand in hand with the Indonesian government’s top priorities.

“The Fishery Ministry is hopeful that the partnership with the U.S. government can continue,” Nilanto Perbowo said.

The 40 million dollar program will help Indonesia to fight fish thefts as well as illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.

ANTARA