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Tuesday, March 23, 2010 07:49 WIB | Features | | Viewed 93 time(s)

Jakarta (ANTARA News) – Tourists visiting Maluku will have missed something immensely memorable if they have not seen and marveled at the beauty of the various fish species that live amid the coral reefs of the province`s seas.

The colorful fishes` habitat consists among other things of black coral , sponges, plate coral, coral flowers in the form of bowls that will truly hypnotize whoever sees them.

Maluku islands are home to more than 60 percent of the world`s coral species, which is why most of the province`s waters are included in the Coral Triangle Initiative, aimed at protecting coral reefs from damage caused by global warming.

Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry research official Gellwynn Jusuf said Maluku`s submarine biota were unique because unlike in any other Indonesian province, more than 90 percent of its waters are included in the Coral Triangle which is known for its high biodiversity with a really huge potential.

He said , if managed optimally and effectively, the marine areas in Maluku could bring high economic returns because, blessed with vast areas of coral reefs, the province is rich in fish and other sea biota including decorative fish species.

Researchers have discovered that Maluku waters hold more than 738 species of sea fish.

Several fish species such as Pelagis (sea surface fish) and Domorsal (deep sea fish) had made Maluku waters a fascinating under-water park.

Among the hundreds of fish species, are the ghost, Pipefish, Anemone fish, Trumpet fish, Scorpion fish, Juvenile damsel fish, Lizard fish, Black spotted puffer, Porcupine fish, and Juvenile catfish.

The presence of these fish species plus the extraordinary beauty of the coral reefs guarantee an unforgettable experience to any visitor to Maluku`s submarine parks.

Therefore, at the Coral Triangle Initiative Summit in May 2009 in Maluku, the Maritime and Fisheries Department emphasized the need for national activities to save the coral reefs in the country, especially those in Maluku.

The department brought up the matter because an environmental official once said that a number of coral reef zones in Maluku had been damaged due to uncontrollable use of fish bombs and toxic substances like potassium cyanide by local fishermen.

Efforts to save the coral reefs in Maluku waters should also involve local traditional fishermen because when they are given opportunities and enlightenment, they are capable of doing a lot because for them, the sea is their source of living.

Therefore, Alex Litaay, a legislator of Maluku origin has warned the local fisherman against destroying coral reefs in the province, especially in Cenral Maluku district.

“Do not destroy the coral reefs in Central Maluku waters because it will cause environmental damage and global warming,” Alex Litaay said in the provincial city of Ambon recently.

Litaay said he would familiarize the need of coral reefs preservation to the people in Cenral Maluku because the damage of marine biological resources would contribute global warming.

“The fishermen in Maluku should stop using fish bombs and toxic substances like potassium cyanide because if they continue to do so, they will at the same time destroy the coral reefs and marine biological resources,” the legislator of Maluku origin said.

Litaay admitted that World War-II bomb remainders were still found in the islands of Haruku, Nusalaut, and Saparua, and thus the local fishermen make use of them as fish bomb raw materials.

“The sea is the future of Maluku and therefore the coral reefs should be preserved for the local people`s welfare as well as tourist attraction,” Litaay said.

According to him, the coral reefs in the waters around Haruku, Nusalaut and Saparua islands were still fascinating with strategic potential for marine tourism in the future.

But for tourist development in the island of Saparua especially, Litaay has expressed deep concern that a number of historical sites on the island had been neglected.

He said in Ambon over the weekend that the deserted historical sites in Saparua were in need of serious management and restoration to turn them into valuable tourist attractions.

“I have a deep concern about the present condition of historical sites such as Fort Duurstede and the Pattimura diorama in Saparua because they are in deplorable condition and on the verge of total collapse,” Litaay said.

According to him, the diorama of national hero Pattimura in front of Fort Duurstede was without electricity so that visiting tourists could not see the collections of paraphernalia that once belonged to Thomas Matulessy alias Pattimura and other heroes who confronted Dutch colonial rule on May 15, 1817.

“I plan to tour Saparua to check the present condition of all historic sites on the island and then report it to Governor Karel Albert Ralahalu,” Litaay said.

The member of House Comission-II said Fort Duurstede and the Pattimura diorama were the silent witnesses of the first battle between Maluku freedom fighters and Dutch colonial troops in Saparua in May 1817.

“In the run-up to the international marine event of Sail Banda 2010, I call on the local committee to restore the historical sites in Saparua island,” Litaay said.

Meanwhile, Maluku Culture and Tourism Office spokesperson Florence Sahusilawane admitted that the historical sites in Saparua were indeed in critical condition.

“It is true that the historical sites there are in critical condition but the reason is the inadequate amount of funds that has been allocated to have the sites renovated,” Ms Sahusilawane said.

Sahusilawane said she had repeatedly called on Saparaua sub-district head Ferry Siahaya to propose funds for the renovation of the historical sites but the call seemed to have been ignored.(*)