JAKARTA - The Chairman of the Indonesian Traditional Fishermen's Union (KNTI) of Bintan Regency, Riau Islands (Kepri) Syukur Harianto stated that oil waste pollution in the surrounding waters disrupted fishermen's fishing and tourism activities.
He said that in recent days, hundreds of bags of diesel oil using jute sacks have been stranded on the coastal areas and sea waters in Bintan, including Kawal, Teluk Bakau, Malang Rapat, Trikora to Ujung Berakit.
"This condition can trigger fishermen's fishing gear to be contaminated with black oil and fish catches to be contaminated with chemicals. The impact is that fish consumed by residents can cause stunting to malnutrition," said Harianto as reported by ANTARA, Tuesday, February 3.
In addition, he said, the black oil liquid also interferes with tourist attractions along the east coast of Bintan, which has been frequently visited by domestic and foreign tourists.
This condition also has the potential to make tourists reluctant to come to Bintan, especially playing in the beach area because they are afraid of being exposed to the waste liquid.
"Automatically, hotels and resorts in Bintan are threatened by a lack of visitors," he said.
Therefore, Harianto hopes that the government together with related stakeholders will immediately find solutions to deal with the impact of black oil. At least there is a joint movement for cleaning in the sea and beach.
In addition, KNTI also asked the government to be able to answer the problem of black oil contamination which continues to occur every year, without any concrete solutions regarding further handling.
"We hope that the authorities will find and take firm action against the perpetrators of dumping black oil in Bintan waters," he said.
KNTI suspects that the diesel oil is sourced from the waste of ship combustion, both oil and solar.
The ships crossed Indonesian waters and allegedly deliberately put oil waste into a burlap sack, then dumped it into the sea until it was carried by the current to Bintan waters. The same modus operandi has been in place for decades.
KNTI also encourages the authorities to increase maritime patrols to prevent the dumping of ship oil waste carelessly or illegally in Indonesian waters, especially the Bintan area.
Separately, the Acting Head of the Tanjung Uban Class ll Coast Guard and Coast Guard Base (PLP) Alfaizul admitted that he was ready to deploy personnel to help clean up the black oil sacks simultaneously in Bintan waters, Wednesday (4/2).
"Today, there is a meeting with cross-sectors including the Ministry of LHK. It has been agreed to take joint action to deal with the black oil," he said.
He also conveyed the obstacles faced by the Tanjung Uban PLP in terms of routine surveillance patrols of the activities of ships crossing Indonesian waters.
According to him, the ships are suspected of deliberately taking advantage of the momentum of the north wind season to dump oil waste carelessly in the sea.
"Currently, the wave height reaches three meters, the PLP surveillance ship is difficult to penetrate the zone. Therefore, we need a more adequate fleet for patrols in all weather conditions," said Alfaizul.
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