MALUKU CORAL REEFS NEED OPTIMAL MANAGEMENT

Ambon, Maluku, May 28 (ANTARA) - Maluku's coral reef potentials should be managed well and optimally to support the province's tourism development, coastal area management spokesman Bob Wenno said Friday.

"Maluku should follow the example of North Sulawesi and Papua which are are optimally managing their coral reefs in the Bunaken marine park and Raja Ampat marine park respectively for tourism," Bob Wenno said.

He admitted the coral reefs in Maluku had yet to be optimally managed for tourism because the local government had failed to see that foreign tourists were keenly interested in them.

"Maluku's crystal-clear waters abound in coral reefs, and therefore the local government should manage and care for them as tourist attractions," Wenno said.
He added that the people should also be given an understanding to keep and preserve the coral reefs along the coastal areas and in the deep seas for their own welfare.

In addition, Wenno said, the local government and people should make every possible effort to maintain the sustainability of the province's marine ecosystem to attract tourists.

"There is no legal umbrella at present to prevent local fishermen from destroying corral reefs by using fish bombs," Bob Wenno said, adding that all parties in the province should preserve the marine ecosystem.

According to him, the need of coral reefs preservation should be familiarized to the people in Maluku because the damage of marine biological resources would contribute to global warming.

Bob Wenno also called on the local fishermen to stop using fish bombs and toxic substances like potassium cyanide because if they continued to do so, it would destroy the coral reefs and marine biological resources.

Asked about the upcoming international marine event of Sail Banda 2010, Wenno said it would be a strategic event for investors to invest at marine tourism sector in Maluku.

"Sail Banda is expected to raise prestige of tourism in Maluku," he said.