In order to implement the construction of Indonesia offshore ecological marine ranching, the “Sino-Indonesia Offshore Ecological Marine Ranching Technical Cooperation and Research Project Team” under the special Asian Cooperation Fund Program visited Indonesia during July 14-20, 2024, to carry out the construction of artificial fish reefs and purchase of the proposed breeding seedlings. The team was invited to Tul Fishing Port, Indonesia, to inspect the construction plan of the Indonesian Fish Quality Inspection and Quarantine Laboratory, and visited the Indonesian State Inspection and Quarantine Agency, the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Investment, and the Chinese Embassy in Indonesia to report the progress of the project construction.
On July 15, the team met with Prof. Adi Maulana, Vice President of Hasanuddin University, and the Dean of the Faculty of Marine Science and Fisheries to discuss the task assignments for the Indonesia ecological marine ranching construction. Both sides decided to complete the construction of artificial fish reefs and the purchase and temporary rearing of the proposed breeding seedlings in August, and complete the construction of ecological marine ranching in the proposed construction area by October, and carry out effect monitoring and evaluation.
On the morning of July 16, the project team visited the proposed construction area of the Indonesia offshore ecological marine ranching to investigate the fishery production of the nearby islands and the health conditions of the coral reef ecosystem in the proposed construction area. According to the survey, the fishery production in the proposed construction area included small tuna, snapper, grouper, etc., and the daily production of each operating fishing vessel was about 500 kg. The coral species were diversified, but serious coral reef bleaching was present in some areas, even with obvious whitening area. At present, Indonesia is restoring some coral reefs through the spider-type reef culture method, which has produced certain restoration effects.
In the afternoon of July 16, the project team went to Pulau Barrang Lompo Island to investigate the proposed tridacna breeding nursery. It is understood that tridacna are profitable local economic species in Indonesia, with relatively stable growth, and available for sea breeding at about 2 years of age.
On July 17-18, the project team went to the maritime practice base of Hasanuddin University in Barru Regency, north of Makassar City, and Teluk Losari Fishing Port in Makassar City, to investigate the alternative sea areas for ranching construction recommended by Hasanuddin University and the proposed
breeding fish species. According to the investigation, the ocean conditions near the sea practice base of Hasanuddin University in Barru Regency were relatively complicated, which was not suitable for breeding of giant clams, and the fishes landed in Teluk Losari Fishing Port were mainly snappers, trevally, mackerel, and other tropical fishes, which could be used as a reference for the selection of the subsequent proposed breeding species.
On July 17-18, some project team members were invited to Tul Fishing Port in Tul, Maluku, Indonesia, to investigate the current situation of the fishing port construction and to research the construction plan of the Indonesian Fish Quality Inspection and Quarantine Laboratory. The Tul Fishing Port is 300m x 15m with complete infrastructure, but the existing cold chain transportation system for fish catch is relatively outdated and the fish-meal processing plant has been deserted since 2015. The Indonesian side hoped to upgrade Tul Fishing Port into a marine production and processing fishery base in eastern Indonesia, and plans to build a fishery product quality inspection and quarantine laboratory at the base in order to give full play to its geographic location, realize one-stop inspection and quarantine of imported and exported products from China and Indonesia and certification by both sides, and promote the development of marine fishery and tourism in the region.
In the morning of July 19, the project team was invited to Indonesia's State Inspection and Quarantine Agency and the Ministry of Ocean and Investment Coordination to make an exchange and report on the Sino-Indonesia Ecological Marine Ranching Construction Cooperation Project and the preliminary cooperation on the construction of Indonesia's fishery products quality inspection and quarantine laboratory. At the meeting, Director Sahat Manaor Panggabean of the Indonesia's State Inspection and Quarantine Agency, and Deputy Minister Firman Hidaya of the Ministry of Ocean and Investment Coordination, fully recognized the achievements of and supported the construction of the project, and hoped that the project would be promoted further to function as a model project and benefit more Indonesia people. At the same time, the leaders from the two units also hoped that the Chinese research team would also support the construction of Indonesia's aquatic products quality inspection and quarantine laboratory, strengthen the cooperation and exchanges between the two sides in the training of technicians, inspection and quarantine programs, etc., and implement the spirit of the fourth meeting of the China-Indonesia High-level Dialogue and Cooperation Mechanism.
In the afternoon of July 19, the project team visited the Chinese Embassy in Indonesia. During the visit, the project team reported to Counselor Li Hongwei, First Secretary Geng Jianzhong of Economic and Commercial Affairs Department and Second Secretary Yi Xianliang of Cultural Affairs Department on the construction of the ecological marine ranching project being carried out in cooperation with Hasanuddin University of Indonesia, as well as the preliminary planning for the construction of Indonesian aquatic products quality inspection and quarantine laboratory in cooperation with Indonesia AG Group. Counselor Li Hongwei affirmed the achievements of the ecological marine ranching construction, and suggested that the project team should publicize the project construction results in an orderly manner, so as to provide good support for the development of Sino-Indonesian maritime cooperation. At the same time, Counselor Li Hongwei expressed his support for the project team's cooperation with the Indonesian side on the construction of Indonesia aquatic products quality inspection and quarantine laboratory, and hoped that the project team would understand and master the formal procedures of international project initiation and get well prepared for project interfacing work.
This exchange visit not only confirms the construction of Indonesia offshore ecological marine ranching project, and consolidates the foundation of cooperation between the two sides, but also opens up a new direction for the cooperation in aquatic products quality and safety between China and Indonesia. The university will continue to utilize its full advantages in its disciplines and teams to serve the national strategy of “Sino-Indonesian Maritime Cooperation” and contribute to the sustainable development of fishery resources in Indonesia.