"Indonesia`s fish stocks have continued to drop due to degradation and overfishing," the non-governmental organization`s sea campaigner Arifsyah Nasution said.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Greenpeace Indonesia says Indonesia`s rich marine resources are facing various threats that could cuase a decline in fish stocks in the country`s waters.

"Indonesia`s fish stocks have continued to drop due to degradation and overfishing," the non-governmental organization`s sea campaigner Arifsyah Nasution said in a press statement received here on Wednesday.

He said the threats on marine resources include destructive fishing practices, climate change, coastal development and mining projects.

As an example he referred to a multinational mining operation in Papua that dumps more than 200,000 tons of tailing per day to rivers and the sea.

"Until 2006 the company is estimated to have dumped more than three billion tons of tailing," he said.

Greenpeace has raised the threats faced by Indonesia in its report titled "Indonesia Sea is in Crisis" on sea ecosystem from waste dumps, sedimentation, illegal and destructive fishing, mining operations and climate change.

"Greenpeace is conducting a sea campaign in Indonesia to preserve the country`s richness in marine resources," Arifsyah said.

He said the campaign is also important with regard to preserving regional and global marine resources, adding that Indonesia is one of the world`s third biggest fish producers after China and Peru.

"Indonesia as one of the world`s biggest archipelago countries could play a significant role in leading regional and global initiative towards responsible and sustainable exploitation of marine resources," he said.

Arifsyah said Indonesia`s vision to become a sovereign, progressive, just and prosperous country by 2025 must also cover its sea future.

He said the vision must make the country free of illegal and destructive fishing practices, protected by local communities that have been given marine resource sustainable management knowledge.

"The vision will be achievable if the government and the whole people of Indonesia work together," he said.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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