The Indonesian government, through the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP), has designated two locations in the waters around Belitung Island as conservation areas for blue economy development to preserve the environment and natural resources. The two newly established conservation areas are the waters from Mendanau to Membalong in Belitung Regency and the Memporang waters in East Belitung Regency. “These conservation zones have been designated by the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries based on proposals from the Bangka Belitung Provincial Government to protect the marine environment from damage and pollution caused by mining,” said Agus Suryadi, Head of the Maritime and Fisheries Office of the Bangka Belitung Islands Provincial Government, in Pangkalpinang, as quoted by Antara on Tuesday (May 28).

Meanwhile, Fhores Fherado, Head of the Marine Spatial Management Division at the Maritime and Fisheries Office of the Bangka Belitung Islands Province, stated that the region already had several conservation areas. However, these areas were classified as marine tourism parks. He explained that the existing marine tourism conservation areas in Belitung Island include Selema Island, Kalambau Island, Bangkai Island, Pelemah Island, and Tupai Island. “On these islands, the condition of the coral reefs is still relatively good, and the core zones of the proposed areas are focused on conservation targets such as coral reefs, turtles, giant clams, and Napoleon fish,” he added.

Source: https://www.merahputih.com/post/amp/indonesia-tetapkan-2-kawasan-konservasi-ekonomi-biru-di-belitung