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Read MoreJava Sea Fish Stock Declines Drastically, IPB University Expert Highlights Environmental Degradation
IPB University’s marine expert, Prof Yonvitner, voiced concern over the condition of the Java Sea ecosystem. He emphasized that the drastic decline in fish stocks in the area is closely related to the increasingly severe environmental degradation.
“The ecosystem and habitat of the Java Sea is classified as an area under high pressure,” said Prof Yonvitner, Chairman of the Center for Coastal and Marine Resources Studies (PKSPL) and IPB University lecturer at the Department of Aquatic Resources Management.
According to him, various environmental problems such as coastal subsidence, poor water quality, especially in Jakarta Bay, as well as plastic pollution and water turbidity are the main factors causing damage to marine habitats. “In addition, pressure due to fisheries activities is also high,” he added.
The decline in fish populations, continued Prof Yonvitner, is highly correlated with damaged habitat conditions. The results of research by the PKSPL IPB University research team, coral reefs with less than 25 percent cover (bad category) have a much lower fish density compared to healthy coral reefs with cover above 50 percent.
“Likewise, the carrying capacity of the mangrove ecosystem decreases along with the lower mangrove cover,” he explained. This finding is in line with the statement of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) which mentions coral reef damage, mangrove loss, and marine debris as the main causes of the decline in capture fish in the Java Sea.
To overcome this problem, Prof Yonvitner emphasized the need for sustainable strategic steps. “The steps that must be taken are to improve the ecosystem, prepare good and appropriate coastal governance, and reduce the input of pollutant sources, both dissolved in waters and solid ones such as plastics,” he said.
He emphasized that IPB University through PKSPL has actively contributed to the rehabilitation of the coastal environment. “Since 2013, PKSPL has encouraged seagrass rehabilitation steps, and several times transplanted coral reefs on Thousand Islands, and planted mangroves in Karawang in 2016-2019,” he said.
In addition, collaboration is also carried out with local governments. Among them are coastal vulnerability studies in Pekalongan and strengthening coastal management policies in Central Java over the past three years.
In closing, Prof Yonvitner invited all parties to strengthen their collective commitment to restore the health and productivity of the Java Sea, which is crucial for the sustainability of fishermen and the national ecosystem.
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