REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA - Indonesian Institute of Science's annual research on marine biodiversity will focus on 24 points in Sulawesi. "This is an annual agenda for Oceanography Research Center of LIPI since 2007," official the institute, Susetiono, said on Friday.
He explained that Indonesia, having 5,100 kilometers of ocean from east to west and 1,888 kilometers of ocean from north to south, was a center of marine biodiversity. Indonesian straits are known as connecting corridor of Pacific and Indian Oceans.
The study will be conducted in 24 points in Sulawesi Strait.The study was conducted for several times in Raja Ampat, Sangihe, Natuna and Leti.
Indonesia currently has 13 species of seaweed, 461 species of coral with 91 species of Acropora of 114 species around the world. Indonesia also has 88 species of mangrove, six species of sea turtle and 37 species of sea snake. Indonesian strait also an important corridor for whale migration.