Tuesday, 12 May 2009

Experts have found a new way to save and to restore the population of coral reefs in some oceans, especially in Bunaken and Manado Tua, where most of the coral reefs destroyed. The solution introduced is finger-shaped EcoReefs modules made from ceramics.

Dr. Janny Kussen, a coral reefs expert from University of Sam Ratulangi, Manado, North Sulawesi, on Tuesday (14/4), said that the test for the coral reefs restoration from ceramics has been done by the Japanese scientists in Bunaken and Manado Tua from 2004 to 2006. According to Janny, the research shows that coral reefs are growing faster on the EcoReefs medium made from ceramics. “It only takes one year for the coral reefs to grow on EcoReef’s spines. It is incredible as it takes years for the coral reefs to grow on certain mediums”. Previously, the scientists use the medium from concrete-slab and stainless steel for the restoration process.

According to Janny, in Indonesia, the death-rate of coral reefs is fairly high because human activity to bomb the fish. The report said that the damage and the death of coral reefs reach 40-45% from the coral reefs area of 1.5 million hectare. Janny said that with the new way of restoration, the problem of coral reefs can be overcome although it takes time and material to rescue them. In the future, the coral reefs will be source of food and prevention of the global warming.

Dr. Mineo Okamoto and Dr. Kakaskasen Adrian Roeroe from Tokyo University Marine Science will deliver their presentation about the findings of the research on World Ocean Conference (WOC) and Coral Triangle Initiative (CTI) Summit in Manado, 11-15 May 2009.

The 138 studied EcoReefs modules which are planted on Bunaken and Manado Tua sea bottom produced 5,626 new corals which 76% were adhered to the branches and 24% of it to the center hubs. There are 127 species of fish that live close to the structure. Most of coral reefs in Bunaken and Manado Tua destroyed when the temperature of sea water increases in 1998-2000. The coral reefs in that territory suffer from bleaching and are destroyed because they can’t stand that high temperature.

Source: Indonesian Dept of Oceans and Fisheries

http://www.dkp.go.id/index.php/ind/news/1215/pulihkan-koral-dengan-keramik as published on www.indonesia.go.id

Tuesday, 24 April 2009 

Biro Naskah dan Penerjemahan,

Deputi Mensesneg Bidang Dukungan Kebijakan,

Sekretariat Negara RI