Indonesia’s National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) has identified Ambon in Maluku Province as a prime hub for pioneering blue economy studies, leveraging on its marine wealth for national prosperity

DEPUTY Head of BRIN, Admiral Amarulla Octavian, underscored the strategic significance of Ambon’s marine resources during his visit to the city on Tuesday, 20th February 2024. This he said can heighten collaborative efforts to propel Indonesian maritime research to new heights.

Admiral Octavian’s visit included inspections of the Deep Sea Research Centre’s laboratories, where discussions with researchers underscored the importance of forging partnerships with domestic and international institutions for advancing marine exploration and development.

The integration of cutting-edge maritime technology into BRIN’s innovation agenda aims to bolster sustainable marine food estate management and foster the growth of the blue economy, leveraging Ambon’s abundant marine resources as a competitive edge in Indonesian marine research.

Smart Fishing Village
Ambon City’s smart fishing village initiative, centred in the coastal area of Poka, is a testament to collaborative efforts between the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (MMAF), Fisheries Training and Counselling Center (BP3), Ambon City Government, and stakeholders, with a focus on developing lobster and tuna centres to enhance community livelihoods.

The Maluku provincial government aligns the blue economy development with its commitment to sustainable natural resource management, emphasising the imperative of environmental preservation, particularly along coastal areas, to sustain the region’s marine wealth and economic prosperity. Efforts to address plastic waste and maintain environmental quality are central to realising Maluku’s blue economy potential, as underscored by Assistant II of the Maluku Regional Secretariat, Ibu Habiba Saimima, citing research indicating a rise in plastic waste density in Maluku waters over the past decades.

Editor’s Note: In economic terms, blue economy refers to the exploitation, preservation and regeneration of the marine environment.

Source: Antara News