Berau Regency and Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (MMAF) had finally signed a memorandum of understanding for managing and utilizing Berau sea sustainably in order to sustain local and national development, Tuesday, 8 November 2011, in Jakarta. Berau’s marine covers 28.74 percent from its total area and contributes high input from wild catch fisheries for about 16.2 thousand tonnes per year from 2.441 vessels unit. Meanwhile, the number of aquaculture production delivers 403 tonnes per year from 3.573 ponds and also from 690 floating cage unit.

Berau Regency is also widely known for its underwater tourism for both domestic and international tourists. Derawan Island, Sangalaki Island, Maratua Island, dan Kakaban Island are very famous with its stingless jellyfish habitat on the islands’ lake. This is some of the examples of Berau’s high value that needs to be maximized sustainably. Meanwhile, the threats are coming from the turtle egg trade, which of course, illegal. Also, some findings on destructive fishing actvities, using bombs and cyanides, though the area is protected by Regent Decrees no. 31 Year 2005, which boldly declared “Marine Protected Area” for Berau.

WWF-Indonesia has been operating in Berau since 2000 with continuing fund from Danida, Danish Aid Agency and now we are working and expanding network througout Berau, together with local partners, related stakeholders, both local and national government to sustain long and persistent conservation for socio-economic enhancement in Berau and Indonesia in general.

WWF-Indonesia has been working in Berau Regency since year of 2000, with sustainable support from Danida (Danish International Development Agency) and WWF Netherland, the work on sea turtle conservation had started and still on going up to now. A milestone in 2004 marked by sea turtle egg trade revocation from the market, but yet the illegal trade still remain as biggest threat until today.

Referral:

• MMAF’s press release: http://www.kkp.go.id/index.php/arsip/c/6540/KKP-GANDENG-BERAU-KELOLA-LAUT/