Ministers Hold Meeting on Damaged Coral Reefs in Raja Ampat
14 March 2017 06:54 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Marine and Fishery Minister Susi Pudjiastuti said that she will hold a meeting with the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs to discuss the destruction of coral reefs in Raja Ampat, West Papua.
Earlier last week, a Bahamas-flagged vessel rammed into the coral reefs in Raja Ampat at low tide.
Read: Ministry Sends Team to Raja Ampat Inspects Damaged Coral Reefs
The 90-meter long Caledonian Sky cruise ship belongs to tour company Noble Caledonia ran aground after completing its bird watching experience at Waigeo Island on March 4. The incident has left 1,600 square meters of coral, known as the Crossover Reef, severely damaged.
Noble Caledonia has described the incident as ‘unfortunate’ and is willing to cooperate fully with authorities. The vessel suffers minimal damage and it had resume sailing after being examined by investigators.
Read: Raja Ampat Coral Reefs Destroyed by Foreign Tour Vessel
Brahmantya Satyamurti, Director General of Sea Space Management, Marine and Fishery Ministry, said that the coral reefs destruction should be investigated. “We have to find out why the vessel can get away with it and how vast the area being damaged was,” he said.
KHAIRUL ANAM
