2023

Korea-Indonesia MTCRC Signed MoU with Gadjah Mada University 

(July 27th, 2023) Korea-Indonesia MTCRC has once again established cooperation with Indonesian educational institutions related to academic and scientific programs in the field of marine science and technology. This time, the collaboration was carried out with Gadjah Mada University (UGM) which was realized through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Monday, July 24, 2023 at the Central Building, Gadjah Mada University (UGM), Yogyakarta. Starting the event, Dean of the Faculty of Geography UGM Dr. Danang Sri Hadmoko, S.Si., M.Sc. said that UGM had previously held several meetings with MTCRC, thus finding common ground and the desire to work together in the development of marine science, especially in the perspective of remote sensing. 

Indonesia Ready to Become Member of ISA 2024 International Seabed Authority Board

(June 26th, 2023) Indonesia has announced that it is ready to become a member of the Board of the International Seabed Area Authority (ISA) since the submission of credentials by Ambassador Arrmanatha Nasir to ISA General Secretary Michael W. Lodge on July 25, 2023. The Indonesian government is committed to continuing to strengthen constructive cooperation with ISA in ensuring the management of activities in the International Seabed Area (ISA). With this, all humanity can benefit in accordance with international law. It is also a form of RI's contribution to the achievement of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG2030). 

This is the Utilization of Sea Sedimentation Products Regulated in PP 26/2023 

(July 26th, 2023) The government has issued a policy regarding the management of marine sedimentation products in Government Regulation (PP) Number 26 of 2023. The regulation, which was signed by President Joko Widodo on May 15, 2023, contains, among other things, the utilization of marine sedimentation products in the form of sea sand or other sedimentary materials in the form of mud. Article 9 of the regulation states that the utilization of marine sedimentation products in the form of sea sand is used for domestic reclamation, government infrastructure development, infrastructure development by business actors and can also be exported.

Korea-Indonesia MTCRC Signed MoU with Diponegoro University

(June 17th, 2023) Korea-Indonesia MTCRC has expanded its cooperation with Indonesian educational institutions regarding academic and scientific programs in the field of marine science and technology. The signing of the Mem orandum of Understanding (MoU) with Diponegoro University (UNDIP) on Friday, July 14, 2023 was held at the Rector's Conference Room, Widya Puraya Building 2nd floor, Diponegoro University, Semarang, by Prof. Dr. Yos Johan Utama, SH, M.Hum as UNDIP Rector, with MTCRC Directors, Dr. PARK Hansan and Ivonne M. Radjawane, Ph.D.. Present on the occasion were representatives of CMMAI, Mr. Hardino. also representatives of UNDIP, namely Vice Rector I Prof. Faisal, S.E., M.Si., Ph.D., Vice Rector II Prof. Dr.rer.nat. Heru Susanto, S.T., M.M., M.T., Vice Rector III Prof. Budi Setiyono, Board of Trustees (MWA), Academic Senate and Deans in UNDIP.

Indonesia Uses South Korean Technology to Build the Balikpapan-IKN Underwater Tunnel

(July 9th, 2023) The Indonesian government will implement a number of South Korean technologies related to the development of the nation's capital. Minister of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) Basuki Hadimuljono together with the Indonesian Ambassador to the Republic of Korea, Gandi Sulistiyanto attended a bilateral meeting with the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transportation of the Republic of South Korea, Won Hee-ryong, at the Korea Territorial Development Museum, Seoul, Friday (7/7/2023). During the meeting, Minister Basuki thanked the training provided by the South Korean Government in the Indonesia-Korea Smart City Development Program, which has involved 25 experts from Indonesia.

Indonesia Expects Japan to Guarantee that Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant Wastewater Disposal Will Not Harm the Environment

(July 4th, 2023)  Indonesia hopes that Japan will ensure that the process of disposing radioactive wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear power plant is carried out transparently and does not harm the environment. International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Rafael Mariano Grossi will fly to Japan on Tuesday to review final preparations for the release of treated radioactive wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear power plant damaged by the 2011 earthquake and tsunami into the Pacific Ocean. Grossi is scheduled to first meet with several Japanese leaders, including Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi, and Industry Minister Yasutoshi Nishimura. 

KKP Strengthens Turtle Population Conservation Program 

(June 17th, 2023) The Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (MMAF) continues to strengthen sea turtle conservation efforts by strengthening regulations, monitoring populations, and preserving sea turtle nests. This was revealed during the 2023 Indonesia Sea Turtle Symposium and The Greater Coral Triangle Region organized by the Directorate General of Marine Spatial Management together with WWF Indonesia Foundation and Taka Indonesia Foundation on June 14-15, 2023 in Jakarta. Gustaaf Manoppo in his speech explained that in terms of regulations, sea turtles are one of 18 types of protected/endangered aquatic biota that are prioritized for conservation efforts.

MMAF Designates 22 Smart Fisheries Village Locations 

(June 17th, 2023) The Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (MMAF) through the Marine and Fisheries Research and Human Resources Agency (BRSDM) has designated 22 Smart Fisheries Village (SFV) locations in several regions in Indonesia to support the implementation of blue economy-based priority programs. The determination of the location of BRSDM's SFV was carried out based on the Decree of the Head of BRSDM Number 156 of 2023 concerning the Determination of the Location of BRSDM's Smart Fisheries Village in 2023. It was conveyed that SFV is a concept of fisheries village development based on information technology and appropriate management.

BPPSDMKP Build a Cooperation with MTCRC in the field of Marine and Fisheries Human Resources Capacity Building

(June 6th, 2023) The Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (MMAF) appreciates the presence of the Korea-Indonesia Marine Technology Cooperation Research Center (MTCRC) as a joint research center, which is a collaboration between the Korean and Indonesian governments, aiming to strengthen cooperation in the field of marine science and technology and capacity building in this sector. As a follow-up to the previous MTCRC meeting, BPPSDMKP is willing to participate in the HR capacity building program. 

Is It True That for The Sake of Ocean Health, Marine Sedimentation is Used?

(June 2nd, 2023) For 20 years, the utilization of sea sand was prohibited for export activities. President Megawati Soekarno Putri, who led the ban, said that the export of sea sand could endanger the marine ecosystem. However, 20 years later President Joko Widodo issued Government Regulation Number 26 of 2023 concerning the Management of Sedimentation Results in the Sea. The regulation immediately drew a lot of opposition, because it was considered to only sacrifice the marine ecosystem. One of the factors that many parties rejected, was the clause of the permit to carry out the export of sea sand which was the result of sedimentation. 

Indonesia's Marine Debris Management Needs Collaboration

(June 2nd, 2023) The collaboration of all levels of society is considered to be able to break the chain of plastic waste problems in Indonesian seas. This belief was revealed in a seminar entitled "Sustainable products, waste management and its impact on biodiversity" organized by the Society of Indonesian Environmental Journalist (SIEJ), Saturday (20/5/23). Joni Aswira Putra, Chairman of SIEJ said, as the only organization of environmental journalists in Indonesia, SIEJ seeks to be involved in efforts to deal with plastic waste by making it a priority in the newsroom and mass media coverage.

Center for Data, Information and National Marine Observation System, is it necessary?

(June 1st, 2023) A classic management axiom states that something that can be measured can be managed well, or conversely, something that cannot be measured cannot be managed well. This is quite relevant to Indonesia's marine governance. It is a necessity for the archipelagic country of Indonesia to be able to manage 70 percent of its territory in the form of oceans. Good and sustainable management of Indonesia's oceans must begin with good ocean measurement and observation capabilities. Ocean measurement and observation are the main pillars of oceanographic research, consisting of physical, chemical, and biological aspects. 

Indonesia Lacks Scientists to Uncover Deep-sea Mysteries: How to Solve It?

(May 23rd, 2023) Despite its maritime status, Indonesia still lacks skilled scientists who focus on deep-sea research. This area is still very rarely researched. According to data from the Center for Deep Sea Research (PRLD) of the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), as of 2023 there were only around 20 active researchers in this research center. Of these, three are approaching or entering retirement. In addition to the number of researchers, not many deep-sea research publications from Indonesia have been published in the last 5-10 years, when compared to publications related to research in coastal areas.

Indonesia-Korea Strengthen Seaweed and Fisheries Development Cooperation

(May 16th, 2023) Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut B. Pandjaitan met with Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy of the Republic of Korea Y. M. Jang Young Jin to discuss the potential for cooperation in the fields of high technology and innovation on Tuesday (9/5/2023). Considering that artificial intelligence has begun to change all aspects of life and Korea is a country that has proven to be advanced in this field. The forms of cooperation discussed include several things. First, one of the cooperation in the field of seaweed industry development. Luhut wants to create a location package for cooperation that focuses on developing seaweed and fisheries. 

Mangrove Conservation Now Rely on Technology

(May 14th, 2023) Mangrove trees are a type of plant that grows in bushes or dense forests in estuaries, swamps, or beaches. In general, mangrove trees measure about nine meters in length. The leaves are about five to 15 centimeters long. Meanwhile, the roots are able to grow very long into the mud. Some of these physical characteristics make mangrove trees very important in maintaining environmental ecosystems because they can buffer coastal waters, protect beaches from wind, and withstand floods. Based on the National Mangrove Map officially released by the Ministry of Environment and Forestry in 2021, the total area of Indonesia's mangrove ecosystem reaches 3,364,076 hectares or 20.37 percent of the world's total area. 

Blue Economy, a Solution to Increase Ocean Potential

(May 14th, 2023) On May 9-12, 2023 Indonesia hold the ASEAN Summit in Labuan Bajo. With the theme ASEAN Matters: Epicenter Of Growth.  In this case, officials from countries in the Southeast Asian region will gather and discuss various matters. There are at least two points that discuss the environment, namely the utilization of the sea with a blue economy approach and sustainability commitments through SDG's which include socio-economic and environmental aspects. According to the World Bank, the blue economy is a sustainable development model that encourages the responsible use of marine resources to create economic opportunities while safeguarding biodiversity and marine ecosystems. This approach is based on three principles: social inclusiveness, environmental sustainability and economic viability.

KKP Invites SEAFDEC Forum Participants to Develop Human Resources through VOGA and SFV

(May 11th, 2023) The Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) plays an active role in accelerating the economic recovery of communities after the covid pandemic through socio-economic and environmental approaches, by emphasizing the development of marine and fisheries human resources. Human resource development is carried out by increasing competence through training, counseling, education, and certification. Where BRSDM has two strategic programs, namely VOGA (Vacational Goes to Actors) and Smart Fisheries Village (SFV). He also hopes that the two programs can become the attention of Seafdec countries.

Record Sea Surface Heat Sparks Fears of Warming Surge

(May 4th, 2023) With sea surface temperatures swelling to new highs in recent weeks, scientists warn that humanity's carbon pollution has the potential to turn oceans into a global warming "time bomb". Oceans absorb most of the heat caused by planet-warming gases, causing heat waves that harm aquatic life, altering weather patterns and disrupting crucial planet-regulating systems. While sea surface temperatures normally recede relatively quickly from annual peaks, with scientists warning that this underscores an underappreciated but grave impact of climate change.