Raja Ampat Coral Damage, Researcher: Caledonian Sky Must Pay
14 March 2017 17:20 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Pacific Waters Resources Research Center of Universitas Papua recommended the government to press charges against the owner of the Bahamian-flagged ship Caledonian Sky for damaging Raja Ampat's coral reefs. According to the research center, the ship owner must pay at least USD 800 to USD 1,200 for every square meter of damage.
Head of the Research Center Ricardo F. Tapilatu, estimated that the ship has damaged a total of 13,533 square meters of Raja Ampat coral reefs. Previously, the estimation was around 1,600 square meters but has actually damaged a massive 13,533 square meters.
"The latest extent of the damage was known after it was checked in the lab," Ricardo said on Monday, March 13, 2017.
The incident occurred in the waters of Raja Ampat on March 4, 2017. The 90-meters long ship owned by Noble Caledonia was beached on shallow waters caused by low tide, ramming hundreds of coral reefs. The damage was claimed to be made worse by attempts to evacuate the ship.
Noble Caledonia described the incident as "unfortunate". The company's management stated that they have cooperated fully with the relevant authorities. The damage to the ship was reported to be minimal and it is now sailing to Bitung in North Sulawesi.
MITRA TARIGAN | EGI ADYATAMA
