"The government has designated Laut Sawu National Park..."Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesian Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Sharif Cicip Sutarjo has said his ministry will apply the blue economy concept in the development of marine conservation areas.
Indonesia has established marine conservation areas covering 15.7 million hectares of the 20-million-ha target by 2020, Minister Sutarjo said at the Sail Komodo 2013 soft launch, here on Monday.
The conservation areas located in Indonesian waters are potential for the development of marine tourism, sustainable fishery, biotechnology and bio-pharmacology, according to the minister.
The marine conservation development by using blue economy principles is a new paradigm in the marine economy, he said.
The development will emphasize on the preservation and survival of coastal areas, small islands, and marine biota as well as the prevention of other marine resources from over exploitation.
He said the marine conservation area development is also expected to help protect Indonesia`s territorial sovereignty in border areas.
"The government has designated Laut Sawu National Park covering 10 districts/cities in East Nusa Tenggara Province," he said.
The new marine park is conservation area for various endangered species such as blue whale, sea turtles and more than 336 species of coral reefs, he added.
(Uu.M040/F001/H-YH)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
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