TRAINING ON HANDLING TECHNIQUES FOR STRANDED MARINE MAMMALS IN ALOR, EAST NUSA TENGGARA
ALOR, November 17, 2021- The Branch Office of the Maritime and Fisheries Service (KCD-KP) of East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) Province, Alor Regency Region, as the Unit of Management Organization (SUOP) of the Pantar Strait Regional Conservation Area (KKD) and its Surrounding Seas in collaboration with the WWF Indonesia Foundation held a Training on Stranded Marine Mammal Handling Techniques on November 16-17, 2021.
This training concludes a series of trainings conducted by WWF Indonesia Foundation, two similar activities have been carried out in Surabaya with Airlangga University and in Banda Aceh with Syiah Kuala University.
In the last five years, from 2017 to September 2021, there have been 29 cases of marine mammals stranded in NTT waters, both in single and mass numbers, dead or alive. Three of these strandings occurred in Alor waters, specifically a sperm whale at Deere Beach in 2018, two dolphins in Fenating Village in 2019, and in North Kolana in 2020. This is not a small number of cases in an archipelago. For this reason, serious attention is needed, especially preparing human resources trained in handling stranded marine mammals.
"Since 2013 until now, there are at least 1,200 people in various parts of Indonesia who have been competent as First Responder personnel," explained drh. Dwi Suprapti, M.Si as one of the instructors in this activity. According to her, this training is important for First Responders because improper handling can endanger animals, as well as themselves.
Saleh further said, "Currently, a review of the Management and Zoning Plan (RPZ) document is being carried out. Seeing the potential, cetaceans or marine mammals will be proposed as one of the conservation targets that will be managed in the area," he concluded.
According to Yudi, not everyone understands what to do on site when there is a stranding incident. Mishandling will result in the death or even disease transmission of the marine mammal to the surrounding community. "The phenomenon of stranded marine mammals is closely related to the condition of Indonesia's marine health. By knowing the causes of strandings, we can formulate ways to prevent and manage them," he added.
The training which was held at Simfony Hotel Ballroom, Jl Diponegoro, Kalabahi, Alor Regency was attended by various parties including; Head of Alor Police, Commander of Military District Command (Kodim) 1622 Alor, Rector of Tribuana University Kalabahi, Head of Development Planning, Research and Development Agency (Bappelitbang) Kab. Alor, Head of Marine and Fisheries Office of Alor Regency, Head of Environment Office of Alor Regency in Kalabahi, Head of Community and Village Empowerment Office of Alor Regency, Head of Public Works and Spatial Planning Office of Alor Regency. Alor, Head of Tourism Office in Kalabahi, Head of Livestock Office in Kalabahi, Head of Civil Service Police (Satpol PP) in Kalabahi, Head of BPBD in Kalabahi, Commander of Alor Island Lanal Post, Head of National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) in Kalabahi. Alor, Chairman of Kabola Fishermen Communication Forum (FKNK), Chairman of Plastic Free Ocean Network (PFON), Chairman of Alor Maritime Alliance, WWF Indonesia Foundation Lesser Sunda Sub-Seascape region, Chairman of Teman Laut Indonesia Foundation (Tresher Shark Indonesia) and Chairman of Taka Foundation.
Along with the training activities, the Pantar Strait SAP MPA and the Surrounding Seas also launched an official website as a medium to unify and promote activities, licensing procedures, as well as regulations and other matters related to the Regional Conservation Area.
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Further information, please contact:
- Permana Yudiarso, Head of the Denpasar Coastal and Marine Resources Management Center (BPSPL) | 08129286254
- Muhammad Saleh Goro, S.Pi, M.Pi, Head of the Marine and Fisheries Service Branch of NTT Province in Alor District | 081236991111
- Karina Lestiarsi, Communication, Campaign & Public Relations Team WWF Indonesia Foundation | Email klestiarsi@wwf.id | 0852-181-616-83
