REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, PEKANBARU - Following the commitment of Indonesia on Coral Triangle Initiative-Coral Reefs, Fisheries and Food Security (CTI-CFF) programs in Rio+20 Forum on June 2012, Indonesia invites the world to involve in its efforts to save coral reefs and fisheries in Coral Triangle.
"It is important to save the Coral Triangle because the area is rich of biodiversity," the Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, Sharif C. Sutardjo, said on Friday.
The programs of CTI-CFF bring forward the blue economy concept. "Blue economy concept is focused on marine and water sectors. It also emphasizes on the balance between economic development and environmental support," he said.
On the other side, the healthy marine ecosystem can support human's life and continuing economic development. The implementation of economic concept in fisheries and marine sector is expected to boost the economic development which can balance the utilization of natural resources and the efforts to protect the environment.
In the near future, Indonesia will attend International Coral Reefs Symposium (ICRS) in Cairns, Australia. The symposium will discuss the approach of science and technology in coral reefs to build the sustainable marine and fisheries. Indonesian government through the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries will also explain the latest condition of Indonesian coral reefs.