Ecological Consideration is Important Before Building Giant Sea Wall, Maritime Affairs Minister Says

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) Minister Sakti Wahyu Trenggono emphasized the importance of ecology in the efforts to manage coastal areas through construction of coastal and sea embankments, commonly known as the Giant Sea Wall.

"The Giant Sea Wall must have canals. It cannot be long and massive. If that happens, then it is only a matter of time when the ecology will definitely be destroyed," Trenggono cautioned in Jakarta on Wednesday.

The minister made the remarks at the "Seminar on Strategies for Protecting the Java Island Area, Through the Construction of Beach Embankments and Sea Walls (Giant Sea Wall)" in Jakarta.

Trenggono remarked that the Giant Sea Wall, or giant embankment, was built to address the problem of tidal flooding and land subsidence, especially in the northern coastal area of Java, so that it does not collapse due to seawater abrasion.

However, gaps or canals are needed at certain spots, so that the area's marine ecosystem is maintained.

He cited as an example a mangrove forest in the coastal area of the Semarang-Demak Toll Road that functions as a barrier for seawater currents that erode coastal lands.

Moreover, mangrove plants are able to retain seawater, so that it does not erode the coastline soil.

"We have forgotten that we have neglected ecology a little. This is actually very important for economic purposes," he emphasized.

Furthermore, Trenggono stated that the Ministry of KKP continues to establish synergy with related stakeholders, such as the Ministry of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning/National Land Agency (ATR/BPN), in the context of coordinating development in the sea.

The KKP seeks to expand protection, reduce pressure or negative impacts of human activities, as well as preserve and protect the marine ecosystem through blue economy policies.

This can be achieved through efforts, such as expanding marine conservation areas; conducting measurable and quota-based fishing; developing sustainable aquaculture in the sea, coast, and land; cleaning up plastic waste in the sea; as well as monitoring the efforts to control erosion and flooding in coastal areas and small islands.

Those steps are taken to maintain the ecology for the sustainability of marine ecosystems in the country.

"(This is) because we are given the task of managing marine resources. It is hoped that these policies can be continued by the KKP forever," Trenggono remarked.

ANTARA

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