Batang Power Plant Again Invites Fishermen to Protect Whale Sharks
Bhimasena Power, Batang Power Plant,– Batang Power Plant again invited fishermen to protect whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) in the waters of the Batang Java Sea in a socialization held by the Central Java Province Marine and Fisheries Service (DKP) in collaboration with PT Bhimasena Power Indonesia (BPI) as the owner of the Batang Power Plant that was attended by representatives of the DKP of Central Java Province Lilik Harnadi, Head of Batang Regency Maritime Fisheries and Livestock Service Windu Suryadi, Head of HNSI Batang Teguh Tarmujo, dozens of fishermen and BPI management on Friday, September 20, 2024 at the Batang Investment and One-Stop Integrated Service Office (DPMPTSP).
Marine Expert of Coastal and Marine Resources Management Center, Serang, Directorate General of Maritime and Marine Space Management, Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, Darmawan, delivered his presentation on the status, protection efforts and handling of incidents against Whale Sharks with the aim of making the entire community more sensitive in protecting protected marine biota, especially Whale Sharks and marine biodiversity as a whole.
"Whale sharks are fish that are fully protected as per the Decree of the Minister of Marine Affairs No. 18 of 2013 concerning the Determination of Full Protection Status of Whale Sharks (Rhincodon Typus) and the Decree of the Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries Number 16 of 2021 concerning the National Action Plan (RAN) for Whale Shark Conservation 2021-2025. Whale sharks are also currently included in the Endangered category according to The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, which indicates that the existence of this fish in nature is starting to become very rare." said Darmawan.
Head of Marine, Coastal and Small Islands Division of the Provincial Marine Affairs and Fisheries Service Lilik Harnadi also added information regarding marine spatial planning consisting of 7 (seven) zones that need to be known by the community, especially fishermen, in carrying out activities at sea, including the capture fisheries zone, dumping area zone, seaport zone, fishing port zone, industrial zone, coastal ecosystem management zone, tourism zone and park conservation area. All zones already have permits including the Batang Power Plant sea zone.
"Marine spatial planning consisting of seven zones that fishermen need to know when carrying out activities at sea, including the capture fisheries zone, dumping area zone, seaport zone, fishing port zone, industrial zone, coastal ecosystem management zone, tourism zone and park conservation area. This is necessary so that fishermen know which zones are allowed and which are not allowed for fishing".
Chairman of the Indonesian Fishermen's Association (HNSI) of Batang Regency Teguh Tarmujo expressed his support for the association's agenda which is very beneficial for the fishing community.
"We as a forum for the fishing community will always bridge good relations between fishermen and the government and private sector in Batang Regency. In addition, we also express our gratitude for holding this activity, so that we can better synergize with various parties," said Teguh Tarmujo.
General Manager of Stakeholder Relations Aryamir H. Sulasmoro said that this socialization activity was carried out to educate and raise awareness among fishermen regarding the existence of whale sharks that have crossed and looked for food several times around the coastal waters of Sigandu-Roban.
"Considering the increasing rarity of whale sharks in nature, this has become something urgent for all of us to participate in preserving and maintaining the existence of whale sharks in nature. It is hoped that this socialization activity can increase awareness for all of us to better protect the existence of whale sharks," explained Aryamir H. Sulasmoro. (*)