Rare Phenomenon Of Orca Whale Appearance In Anambas Waters

JAKARTA - Rare events have occurred around Anambas Aquatic Tourism Park (TWP). A herd of seven killer whales or orcas can be seen swimming freely in the wide waters.

The moment went viral on social media. The results of the investigation by the Pekanbaru National Marine Conservation Area (LKKPN) team - the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP), showed that the video was recorded by local fishermen on March 30.

Director General of Marine Space Management, Aryo Hanggono, said that the appearance of the whales indicated that the water quality in Anambas waters was very good and could be used as a supplier of fishery resources. Referring to Kepmen KP No.37 / KEPMEN-KP / 2014, TWP Anambas is a water area managed by KKP.

"It can increase fishery resources as a source of food. In accordance with the target of SDGs 14, it means that Indonesia has good food assets," said Aryo in a written statement, Friday, April 24.

For this reason, Anambas waters must be protected and made into a conservation area. So, not only as a fishery resource, the area can also be used as a tourist location.

"Riau Islands Province should allocate part of its space for conservation and embody it into the Coastal Zone and Small Islands Zoning Plan (RZ WP3K)," said Aryo.

However, realizing the plan must be supported by the cooperation of the Regional Government (Pemda), researchers and NGOs, as well as the surrounding community.

Although, everything will be in line with Presidential Decree No. 56 of 2019 concerning the National Action Plan for the Integrated Management of National Parks and National Water Areas for 2018-2025.

Climate change

The appearance of killer whales in the waters of Anambas is good news. However, the emergence of the herd of mammals is not without reason. Researcher from the Marine and Fisheries Research and Human Resources Agency (BRSDM) Dharmadi said that global climate change is one of the reasons for the emergence of these whales.

Or, the waters of Anambas have the availability of food for these orca whales. Thus, they migrate for food to tropical waters.

The presence of orca whales in Indonesian marine waters is not the first time. Around 2019, to be precise July and December, the herd of marine mammals was seen in the Savu Sea.

"It is suspected that the influence of the global climate has caused the Orca to experience disorientation. In addition, Indonesian waters are also known to have an abundance of fish resources," said Dharmadi.

Researcher in the field of oceanography of BRSDM KKP Widodo Pranowo added that the prey of orca whales are fish that require a good environment, and have a lot of plankton.

However, based on the instantaneous chlorophyll concentration of the Anambas Islands Sea on April 1-6, 2020, it is predicted that it contains only about 0.2 to 0.4 milligrams per cubic meter.

"This shows that the real chlorophyll concentration in Anambas Sea waters only provides 20 percent of the existing theory," said Widodo.