Yogyakarta's Wediombo Beach to Become Coral Reef Sanctuary; Partially Off-limits to Tourists

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Wediombo Beach in Girisubo, Gunungkidul Regency, Yogyakarta Special Region will be established as a coral reef sanctuary to support the Indonesian government's blue economy program. This designation is subject to technical review by the Indonesian Ministry of Maritime and Fisheries Affairs.

Veronica Vony Rorong, head of the Coastal Marine and Supervision Division at the Yogyakarta Maritime and Fisheries Office (DKP DIY), said that her division submitted the document proposing the designation of Wediombo Beach as a coral reef sanctuary to the Maritime and Fisheries Affairs Ministry. The coral reef area proposed as a conservation zone has an area of about 4,400 hectares.

"After that, various KKP sub-directors will carry out technical verification and finally by the legal office," Vony said as reported by Antara, Tuesday, August 20, 2024.

The reefs are in good shape

A study by the DKP DIY found that Wediombo Beach has a rich coral reef ecosystem that is still in good condition and capable of sustaining itself. The presence of coral reefs in the area can also provide shelter and food for various marine biota, such as fish and turtles.

As the turtle population grows, Vony said, they will become predators of jellyfish, maintaining the natural balance of the ecosystem and allowing fishermen to increase their fish production.

Core Zone Off-limits to Tourism

Once designated as a protected area, management activities for the protection of coral reefs in this area will have force of law. The sanctuary will be split into three zones: the core zone, the use zone and other zones. The core zone is 10 percent of the total habitat area.

"The (core) zone will be off-limits to tourism activities," Vony said.

Wediombo is a not too wide beach with coral rocks and white sand, perfect for watching the sunset as it faces almost completely west. The site also has a coral cliff that juts out slightly, making the sunset view even more impressive.

Wediombo Beach is a unique tourist spot with a shallow natural pool of coral rocks about 1m deep. Situated in a bay surrounded by coral hills, the beach has stable waves, a magnet for surfers.

ANTARA

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