KKP Affirms Utilization Of Small Islands Must Provide Public Access For Local Communities

Illustration (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) requests that business actors in the field of utilizing small islands and surrounding waters, including those from foreign capital, provide access to the public, including the interests of local communities and local customs.

The Director General of Monitoring of KKP Resources, Adin Nurawaludin, said that in addition to having to fulfill the legal aspect, business actors are obliged to take care of the ecological and social aspects.

"Everything has its rules, and we hope that interested parties can comply with the applicable rules of the game," he said in a press statement released on the official website on Saturday, October 2.

According to Adin, the use of small islands and the surrounding waters must consider aspects of the sustainability of marine and fishery resources. In addition, he also appealed for business management not to be exclusive and to provide space for local residents.

"What should not be forgotten is the obligation to open public access, the interests of local communities and local indigenous peoples," he said.

On the same occasion, KKP's Director of Marine Resources Management Supervision Halid K. Jusuf ensured that his party would take firm action against business actors who violate this provision. This step was taken because small islands, especially those in the outermost areas, would have a higher vulnerability to damage.

"Especially for the outer islands that have a level of vulnerability to the threat of damage, we must really protect it," he said.

Furthermore, Halid said that sanctions for violating the use of small islands and surrounding waters could take the form of administrative sanctions, one of which allows the revocation of business permits.

Previously, the Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, Sakti Wahyu Trenggono, also said that the management of marine and fishery resources should be carried out by considering sustainability aspects.

"The future direction of marine and fisheries development will be carried out by adopting the principles of the blue economy," said Minister Trenggono.

For information, the granting of permits for the management of small islands to business actors is a part of the Employment Creation Act concerning the Management of Coastal Zone and Small Islands.