Strengthening the Coral Reef Ecosystem Fortress, PKSPL IPB University Enhances Human Resource Capacity in Bangka Belitung
Efforts to rescue and preserve coral reef ecosystems in Indonesian marine waters continue to be strengthened. One of them is carried out by the Center for Coastal and Marine Resources Studies (PKSPL) IPB University through the Capacity Building Training for Marine Protected Area Managers in the Bangka Belitung Islands Province (8/26–29).
This activity is a strategic step in the implementation of The Strategic Action Programme for the South China Sea and Gulf of Thailand in Indonesia (SCS SAP). The main focus of SCS SAP is aimed at the sustainability of coral reef ecosystems, which are increasingly vulnerable.
The program is an international collaboration between the Ministry of Environment/Environmental Control Agency (KLH/BPLH) of the Republic of Indonesia, United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), and PKSPL IPB University.
In his opening remarks, Chairman of PKSPL IPB University, Prof Yonvitner, emphasized the importance of breakthroughs in coastal water management patterns.
“Adaptive and holistic management approaches are highly needed to maintain the preservation and sustainability of coral reef ecosystem functions. Integrated management based on communities and accommodating multiple use becomes highly relevant.
This is important because it not only considers ecological aspects, but also takes into account the social and economic dimensions of communities that are highly dependent on coastal resources,” said Prof Yonvitner.
National Coordinator in Charge of the SCS SAP Program, Drs Heru Waluyo Koesworo, MCom, stated, “The impacts of environmental degradation in the South China Sea area have had a real impact on Indonesian waters, and this is the main reason for the presence of the SCS SAP program.
Through this training, we hope to open opportunities for local governments to participate directly, both in implementation and post-activity development,” explained Heru.
Similar support was also emphasized by Director of Pollution and Damage Control of Coastal and Marine Areas at KLH/BPLH, Drs Sayid Muhadhar, MSi. He hopes that the momentum of this training will become a real stimulus for the effectiveness of regional conservation areas.
“We hope that this training will have a direct positive impact on the effectiveness of conservation area management, particularly in supporting the protection and sustainability of coral reef ecosystems in the Bangka Belitung Islands,” he said.
In order to create broad and integrated impacts, this training involved stakeholders from various cross regency/city institutions in the Bangka Belitung Islands Province, such as Bappeda, DKP, DLHK, UPT Conservation DKP.
In addition, the Pekanbaru Marine Management Office (LPK) and representatives from the Environmental Agency (DLH) and Fisheries Agency from five regencies: East Belitung Regency, South Bangka, West Bangka, Bangka, Central Bangka, and Belitung-also actively participated in strengthening the capacity for synergistic coastal area management. (IAAS/AS) (*/Rz)
