Don't Ruin Beauty Of Marine Resources : Minister

JAKARTA, Sept 14 (Antara) - Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti wants all parties not to conduct activities which ruin the beauty of marine resources, including those at the bottom of the ocean. "Over the last two years, there was a lot of struggle with those involved in illegal fishing who robbed the beauty of the invisible, the beauty that is in the sea," the minister said at the inauguration of the Art Exhibition and Imaji Bahari Nautika Rasa at the National Gallery, Jakarta, on Tuesday. Those destroying marine resources often resort to political lobbying and diplomatic efforts, Susi said. The minister said she was saddened by the sight of sea corals destroyed by certain activities when she went diving. Fishermen have been told to go after their catch is such a way that it does not destroy marine life, she added, saying that they had been warned earlier. Reclamation projects in the ocean should also be done according to existing rules and in such a way that it does not cause a negative impact, she added. Co-ordinating Minister for Maritime Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, who is associated with the reclamation, insisted that fishermen will not be harmed by the continuation of the G Island reclamation project in the Bay of Jakarta. "We are concerned about the fishermen and we will take care of them," he said at the Co-ordinating Maritime Ministry, Jakarta, on Friday (Sept 9). Luhut dismissed a disputed statement that fishermen were looking for their catch around the G Island. The reason they cannot do this is because the condition of the water around the G Island is very dirty, he said. Reclamation, if done correctly, and integrated with environmental impact assessment, will support the welfare and the economy, especially fishermen and the surrounding communities, Vice Chairman of Commission IV of the House of Representatives (DPR) Daniel Djohan said earlier. "We support the reclamation, with all terms and conditions, including the integrated environmental impact assessment and other environmental preservation requirements which have to be fulfilled," said Vice Chairman of Commission IV Daniel Djohan on Tuesday (Aug 16). Furthermore, Djohan confirmed that the legalization of reclamation does not interfere with the environment, fishing and urban planning.