Jakarta (2/3) - Are you planning to go to Raja Ampat this vacation? Maybe Karimun Jawa or Pulau Seribu? Did you know that all three are conservation areas or protected areas, which are areas where the government focuses on monitoring and protecting because they are important for the sustainability of marine resources and have important functions for the wider ecosystem. For Android and iOS-based smartphone users, get to know more than 165 marine conservation areas in Indonesia and get directly involved in monitoring them by using the Marine Buddies application presented by WWF-Indonesia as part of a campaign entitled #TemanTamanLautaut.

Get to know the beauty and uniqueness of marine conservation areas that become marine tourism destinations throughout Indonesia such as Weh Island, Buleleng, Wakatobi, Alor, to Raja Ampat. Not only that, by using Marine Buddies, we can get involved and contribute directly by assessing the condition of an area, overseeing the management of marine conservation areas, and reporting irresponsible marine activities.

Benja Victor Mambai, Acting CEO of WWF-Indonesia, is confident that Marine Buddies will become a medium of information that educates and influences changes towards more environmentally friendly tourism and business behavior. "This application was developed as an effort to involve the public in monitoring the utilization and management of natural resources. The contribution of the community through this assessment is expected to be followed up by related parties such as the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) and the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK), to realize effective and beneficial area management," he explained.

Ramon Tungka, actor and outdoor activist, also inspires the public to initiate change by implementing best practices for environmentally friendly marine tourism and being active in educating tourists to travel responsibly. "There are many things we can do to contribute to ecotourism, one of which is by assessing and monitoring the management of marine resources and biodiversity in marine conservation areas through the Marine Buddies application," said Ramon.

Ramon is also supported by a series of public figures, including Nadine Chandrawinata, Trinity, and Devina Mahendriyani. Marine Buddies can be downloaded on the Google Play Store for free starting today.
"As tourists, the public can help monitor the condition of marine conservation areas and report irresponsible activities, of course, while also doing environmentally friendly marine activities," added Ramon.

Through a campaign entitled #TemanTamanLaut, WWF-Indonesia together with public figures invites the public to start with three simple steps, namely recognizing marine conservation areas in Indonesia, visiting and supporting the implementation of responsible marine activity practices, and overseeing the management of marine conservation areas and reporting irresponsible marine activities.

The WWF Living Blue Planet Report released in September 2015 states that the condition of marine ecosystems and their resources has continued to decline in recent decades. A joint commitment is needed from policy authorities, businesses, and also the wider community to ensure that marine resources are managed responsibly and sustainably.
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For more information, please contact:
Dewi Satriani, Campaign & Mobilization Manager, WWF-Indonesia
Email: dsatriani@wwf.id, Hp: +62 811 910 970

Dwi Aryo Tjiptohandono, Marine and Fisheries Campaign Coordinator, WWF-Indonesia
Email: daryo@wwf.id, Hp: +62 811 480 3343

Note to Editor:

- WWF-Indonesia launched a campaign with the theme "#TemanTamanLautaut" as a catalyst for change and influencing changes in policy makers, business actors, and the public to want to take real action in the management of marine conservation areas in Indonesia. Visit www.marinebuddies.org
- The android-based Marine Buddies application can be downloaded via the link: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mixource.marinebuddie…
- The iOS-based Marine Buddies app will be launched in May 2017