FDC IPB Discovers Hidden Paradise on the East Coast of Kei Besar

In 2016, the Ministry of Tourism awarded the “Most Popular Hidden Paradise” title to Kei Island, Maluku. At the beginning of 2019, a group of students from Fisheries Diving Club (FDC) IPB University reveals its discovery in the Seminar on the Results of Maritime and Socio-Cultural Exploration conducted at the Zooxanthellae XV Expedition, Tuesday (5/2) at the Andi Hakim Nasution Auditorium, Campus of IPB Dramaga, Bogor. “This event is expected to give more insights of FPIK IPB academics about the potency of East Coast of Kei Besar,” said the Dean of Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences (FPIK) IPB, Dr. Ir. Luky Adrianto, M.Sc in his welcoming remark.

This result seminar was opened with a Kei traditional welcome dance, a fan dance performed by several FDC members to welcome the participants and invited guests who attended the event. The event was continued with the result seminar which presented the nautical and social-cultural condition in East Coast of Kei Besar. “Generally, the coral ecosystem condition in the observation location is still good and preserved,” said Siti Khodijah, one of FDC IPB members. According to Siti, “Sasi” cultural factor plays a big role in preserving the ecosystem. Sasi is like an ocean law that manages the utilization of fisheries like fish, sea cucumber, clam in a certain location that is protected.

There were many figures who became the speakers in the Talk Show themed “Discovering the Kei Land with Maritime Ecotourism based on Local Wisdom”, mainly lecturer from FPIK-IPB that focused on tourism and conservation, Dr. Ir. Fredinan Yulianda, M.Sc, Vice Regent of Southeast Maluku, Ir. Petrus Beruatwarin, M.Si, and Andreas Hero Ohoiulun, the Project Leader of WWF IBAS. “There is no need to go abroad to enjoy exotic tourism because all is there in Kei. Do not think as if everything is the legacy of our ancestors but think it more as a gift for our children and grandchildren,” said Hero. “If we preserve the nature, then nature will protect us,” became the closing remark of Petrus Beruatwarin.

After the talk show ended, the seminar participants were invited to dance together in Meti Kei dance. Also present in this event were Diving Clubs from Gadjahmada University (UGM) and Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB).