"In collaboration with the Indonesian Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, the United States presents the book `The State of the Sea,` which summarizes the journey of the joint effort to encourage the preservation of Indonesia`s sea," US Ambassador to Indonesia, Joseph R. Donovan Jr, stated.
He hopes that this publication will provide inspiration and educational information and guide future joint efforts to achieve sustainable marine resource management in Indonesia.
He also highlighted the importance of continuing cooperation between stakeholders in the management of marine and fisheries resources.
The US government, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and implementing partners, and the Indonesian government have collaborated through various programs to advance marine conservation and sustainable fisheries.
USAID, through its Sustainable Ecosystems Project (USAID SEA), encourages local fisheries and marine resource management in Fisheries Management Areas (WPP) 715, waters that have high and productive biodiversity, covering the provinces of West Papua, Maluku, and North Maluku.
By emphasizing the theme of the 5th OCC, "Our Ocean, Our Legacy," the Minister of Ecology and Marine Resources Expert Staff, Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Aryo Hanggono, called for the importance of continuing cooperation to ensure a sustainable, safe, and prosperous future.
"Protecting the sea and its biological wealth requires the collaboration of various parties. Each individual needs to be part of conservation efforts to protect high-value marine resources, so that not only Indonesia but also the world can benefit the future generations," he continued.
The book "The State of the Ocean," printed in three volumes and in two languages (Indonesian and English) by the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, is a publication compiled with popular writing styles to provide an overview of Indonesia`s marine and coastal resources.
The book is a means of information for policy makers, practitioners, and the wider community to deeply understand the lives of Indonesian coastal communities, marine natural resources, marine biodiversity, and the connectivity of marine ecosystems and communities.
The publication is also intended to serve as a renewable source of information at the OCC.
The first volume of this book directs readers to be able to understand Indonesia`s marine and coastal environment, its biodiversity, its values, as well as the threats.
The first volume also provides a general description of the governance and institutional management of marine and coastal areas nationally. Volumes 2 and 3 describe management efforts in the 715 Fisheries Management Area, through support from the USAID SEA Project, and the expected benefits.
Reporting by Virna P Setyorini
Editing by Eliswan
Reporter: Antara
Editor: Eliswan Azly
Copyright © ANTARA 2018
