TEMPO.CO, Waisai - Raja Ampat district administration, West Papua province prohibited large-body tourist or passenger boats to dock in the port of Tourist Village Arborek.

Raja Ampat Transportation Agency head Yohanes B Rahawarin explained the ban was issued because the pier was shallow, "and it may destroy coral reefs and underwater biota."

Yohanes mentioned that based on the public complaint, there was the large-body ship docked at the pier which decreased the number of fish and sea ecosystem that could be seen from above the pier. Thus, regulation in the form of the regional decree was drafted to manage the sailing route in the conservation area.

The regulation would rule which type of boats that could dock in the pier of Arborek village, which was one of most beautiful diving spot and snorkeling in Raja Ampat.

The government would also set which areas tourist boat could throw the anchor for diving or snorkeling in Arborek Village. The regulation was expected to complete and disseminate to all tourism stakeholders in Raja Ampat District before December 2018.

Yohanes asserted the regulation not aimed at limiting tourist arrivals, but to manage activities in the conservation area as well as reduce damages on coral reefs in a bid to create sustainable tourism for children in the future.

ANTARA