‘Protect Coral Triangle’ Move Gets Nod

Fidelis E. Satriastanti Jakarta Globe 28 Oct 11;

Officials from the six countries that make up the Pacific Coral Triangle have agreed to set up a permanent secretariat in Manado, North Sulawesi.

Indonesian Fisheries and Maritime Affairs Minister Sharif Cicip Sutarjo said on Friday at a summit of the Coral Triangle Initiative that the building of the headquarters would allow the six governments to pursue “pro-development, pro-environment, pro-jobs and pro-growth policies” in managing their shared maritime area.

“It will give us a chance to prove that we are really paying attention when it comes to environmental issues,” he said.

The six countries whose maritime borders delineate the Coral Triangle are Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, the Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea and East Timor.

The area has been dubbed the “Amazon of the Seas” for the sheer wealth of marine life sustained by the various coral species there.

The Asian Development Bank also lauded the plan to set up a secretariat in Manado.

“The establishment of a permanent secretariat is an important step toward ensuring the success of the initiative and for implementing the regional plan of action,” Jon Lindborg, the ADB country director for Indonesia, said in a statement.

“Improved management of coastal and marine resources ... is critical for ensuring food security, employment, sustainable economic development and increased regional cooperation.”

The Coral Triangle holds 76 percent of all known coral species and its resources provide daily sustenance and employment for over 120 million people, according to the ADB. However, it warns that harmful fishing practices and climate change are threatening the future of this global epicenter of marine biodiversity.

The ADB has worked with the CTI member states to raise funding for various programs linked to the initiative since it was started in 2007. To date, the ADB and Coral Triangle countries have been working together to develop five new projects with funding of about $230 million.

Sharif, who was appointed maritime minister last week, said the ongoing summit in Jakarta would discuss offers of funding for the CTI from other countries interested in the long-term benefits of protecting the area.

“The world needs the Coral Triangle,” he said. “It already has Brazil and the Amazon forest, and it also has Africa and its diverse flora and fauna. For maritime biodiversity, there’s the Coral Triangle.”