USAID Launches Sea Program In West Papua

SORONG, March 10 (Antara) The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has launched Sustainable Ecosystems Advanced (SEA) program to help preserve the sea ecosystem in West Papua. "This program is to protect the ridges of rock and various beautiful fish species that would attract world tourists," U.S. Ambassador to Indonesia Joseph R Donovan Jr said here on Friday. Donovan said the SEA program would not only protect the ridges of rock and other marine resources, but would sustain and increase the income of the coastal people. Proper method of fishing would not damage the ecosystem under the sea and would contribute to development of fishery industry, he said. Therefore, USAID and the regional administration, non governmental organization, Traditional Community Institution work together to support the program, he added. A similar program has been launched in Maluk and North Maluku with the same purpose to preserve the sea natural resources, the ambassador said. "We encourage the province of West Papua to preserve its sea resources without reducing the income of the coastal villagers," he said.