Pangkalpinang, Bangka Belitung (ANTARA News) - Some 500 traditional fishing boats will join the Sail Wakatobi Belitong (SWB) peak event.

"At the SWB`s peak event on Thursday (Oct 13), President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and his entourage will watch a decorated fishing boat parade," K.A. Tajuddin, the head of the Bangka Belitung (Babel) communication and information office, said here on Monday.

The SWB peak event will also be highlighted by an international yacht rally, a civic mission activity called "Bhkti Surya Bhaskara Jaya Operation".

Other activities will include national and international seminars on marine resources and fishery management, a marine youth gathering, a marine and fishery product exhibition, a record breaking of underwater chess game.

Preparations of facilities and infrastructures to support those activities have been done properly, he said.

The SWB 2011`s theme is "Clean the Ocean for Future Life" to respond to the impact of climate change which has caused a rise in the sea`s temperature.

The international event is also aimed at promoting tourism in Bangka Belitung in particular and Indonesia in general, for the improvement of the people`s welfare.

Almost 75 percent of Bangka Belitung`s population are traditional fishermen.

At least 20 of a total of 120 yachts from 20 countries participating in Sail Wakatobi Belitong (SWB) 2011 have arrived in Tanjung Kelayang waters, Belitung District, Bangka Belitung (Babel) Province.

Around 120 yachts representing Asian, Australian and European continents are participating in a yacht rally organized as part of the Sail Wakatobi Belitong event.

Th rally`s route is split into two, namely an Eastern Pass Rally and a Western Pass Rally, both starting in Darwin, Australia.

The Eastern Pass Rally included passage points in Saumlaki (July 26-30), Banda, Buru and Wakatobi (August 23-29), and finally Bau bau, Bulukumba, Makassar, and Labuhan Bajo in Sulawesi.
(Uu.F001/HAJM/A014)

Editor: Priyambodo RH
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