Proposal submitted by Earth Advocates to the honorable Governor of North Sulawesi, Drs. Sinjo Harry Sarundajang, regarding the Sustainable Use of North Sulawesis Natural Treasures

Move to create an Integrated North Minahasa protected Area

Recent reports from various experts have clearly stated and demonstrated that the North Minahasa coastline as well as the island group above, Bangka, Gangga and Talisei, contain an extraordinarily high amount of rare and exotic marine species from tiny, cryptic fishes to massive coral colonies, including some of the most sought-after marine species on earth. In recent times, the amount of dive tourism in this particular area has increased tremendously, with extraordinarily high praise from visitors – although it is not even suggested in conventional dive guides yet. However, in recent months, several expeditions have been undertaken into this area, resulting in a range of publications in dive magazines rating this area equal to the world-renowned sites of Bunaken and Lembeh, with far less human pollution.

Spectacular sighting of a Florescent Yellow Angler(Frog) fish paired with a small Hairy Frog Fish in the North Minahasa waters of North Sulawesi, photographed by Robin Marinos May 2006.

However, due to the fact that it is not a Marine Protected Area, this natural gem is under constant threat of systematic destruction and pillage. If this continues, the disappointment throughout the diving world will be overwhelming. There will be a tremendous loss for the economic growth of a very secure and sustainable sector of the North Minahasa economy, namely positive and clean tourism.

Due to the fact that this area is sparsely populated and is far less polluted than the existing Bunaken National Park area, it would be imperative to move for a declaration of this area, marine and terrestrial, as a protected area as soon as possible. Not to forget, after the Berau Area in East Kalimantan, this would be only the second area in Indonesia to be declared as such by a regional government. The initiator of such a program would surely be remembered for decades to come as a true leader in preserving this region.

The proposed area includes a marine and a terrestrial portion. In order to effectively preserve this area, the proposed boundaries of the protected zone would begin from the coast at Tanjung Tarabitan (approximately 1°45’ N / 124°88’ E) in the west, running north to 1°55’ N / 125°05’ E, then across to 1°55’ N / 125°13’ E, from there south to 1°46’ N / 125°13’ E and back to the coast at 1°36’ N / 125°09’ E, close to the coastal boundary of Minahasa Utara to Bitung regency.

In order to prevent catastrophic flood events like the ones of February 2006, we propose the inclusion of a buffer zone along the coast, whose uses would be restricted to non-destructive and sustainable agricultural and permissible eco-tourist operation, which would require approval of the regional and state government. To be effective, this buffer zone should include all land up to a sufficient distance from the coastal boundary to be further determined by sound scientific data.

We believe that, with the announcement of such a plan, tourism and investment in the area could as much as double within a few years. An initiative such as this would be received very positively throughout the world, not to mention Indonesia as well, and it may provide for a safe breeding ground for fish, thus sustaining fish stocks for coming generations.

Implemented quickly, this proposal would complement the ongoing process by UNESCO of designating this area as a World Heritage Marine Site, emphasizing your recognition of this area as being a marine treasure.

It has come to our attention that there currently is a major ongoing conflict concerning the discovery and extraction of gold within the Minahasa Utara area. Our primary position, which is supported by the majority of the interest groups and individuals we have gathered information from, is quiet clear on this issue. If it were possible to ban or stop all mining activities altogether, we would be in favor! This would include the irresponsible local mining currently operating in the Talawaan area, which has poisoned the local wells and caused local residents to be very cautious about consuming water from their wells in any way. Mercury has been shown to cause major health problems for humans as well as the wider ecosystem and bioaccumulates in the environment.

However, if compromises must be made to allow mining to proceed, we would definitely advise to pursue a more responsible form of mining than that being displayed in the Talawaan area, with one major condition: The detoxified tailings from the mining operation have to be deposited in the safest available location, taking into consideration the whole ecosphere in this particular area. Thus, any discharge into the aquatic environment, whether through aquifiers or by direct dumping by Submarine Tailings Disposal, would be totally unacceptable.

If STD were the only option we would suggest, for the good of your area, to disallow and possibly ban it due to the obvious threat to the precious environment of North Sulawesi and the resulting economic losses in the tourism and fishing sectors.

The land-based disposal option was discussed with mining officials at the site on May 19th 2006 and is apparently favored by the company. However, we believe that for this option, there would have to be a substantial investment on a safe casing for the disposal area, not simply disposing of the waste on permeable soils were seepage is possible. If done irresponsibly and without external monitoring by independent technical specialists, this could be a disaster for North Minahasa.

Seeing that this location is between two extremely valuable protection areas, Bunaken National Park and Tangkoko/Dua Saudara Reserve, both home to a host of very unique flora and fauna, any mining operation in this area would be disastrous for North Sulawesi and will have direct repercussions for the economic and ecologic future of the region. Furthermore, we would advise the government to aggressively confront and abolish the illegal mining currently going on in the area so that it does not spread over the rest of North Sulawesi. This minor form of mining may be more damaging to the environment and human health than large-scale mining operations, which can at least be monitored and thus be made more accountable.

Our recommendation to you is to create an integrated North Minahasa Protected Area and to push for a sustainable and non-damaging use of the region that is acceptable to the larger majority of stakeholders, not just a few.

Further suggestions:

Restrict further destruction of natural coastal areas

In light of the recent announcement of making Manado the World Tourism City 2010, we suggest to discontinue destroying the coastal areas of Manado Bay. Although this has so far provided for multiple shopping areas, it is impairing the once-renowned sunset view of the marine national park and the sea. This practice continues to smother valuable coral reef area within the bay with sediments. In the absence of an effective sewage system, the positioning of an intensively used consumer complex right next to the sea will in fact work counterproductive to the goal of attracting healthy, good tourism to the Manado area. We would like to remind you that Manado is praised internationally for its natural treasures and not for shopping malls. There exist no nice, clean public beaches along the whole bay and the public is forced to go outside of Manado City, past the developments that block the access to the ocean, to swim and enjoy the sea. Most tourists would like to be able to look at the sunset as they do in Bali, and most of the international tourists who come here are interested in nature and are escaping the cement cities that they come from. For example, along the Red Sea, overzealous construction along coastal areas has caused a crisis situation for many tourist operators, and development has in fact been counterproductive.

Develop efficient, effective and appealing infrastructures in the greater Manado area

Manado’s streets and sidewalks desperately need to be improved. It is dangerous to walk along the sidewalks, as one might injure them selves. The city is in need of a serious facelift: streets and sidewalks need to be repaved, the infrastructure is not pedestrian-friendly, there are very few safe crosswalks, there are no shade-giving trees and no places to sit down and enjoy the city. We suggest there be more public greens, benches and trash bins and that streets and sidewalks are made safe to drive and walk on. Improving the infrastructure of the city may help to improve the general atmosphere and thereby reduce the chaotic appearance and bad habits of many traffic participants.

Implementing and structuring an effective sewage and garbage disposal system

Because of the lack of an adequate waste infrastructure, the public slogan of Manado being a Clean and Green City is not an accurate description of the truth. Garbage and trash is left visibly throughout the city, one can see open sewage under the sidewalks and seeping uncontrolled into the sea and into the harbor from which the tourist boats to Bunaken leave. Floating trash throughout the Bay of Manado and in Bunaken National Park threatens marine life and disrupts boat operations. There is a desperate need to provide and distribute more recognizable garbage cans throughout populated areas that are emptied daily, and disposed of correctly. There also is a need for effective water disposal systems, both for land and waterways.

Tackling destructive fishing and the illegal live coral fish trades

In the interest of sustaining the tourist trade, one must protect the coral fish in this area. There have to be effective controls to avoid the increased pillage of coral reefs because the use of bombs and potassium cyanide is still widespread in the area despite being illegal. Potassium cyanide is used to specifically target individual fishes living within the coral. Besides stunning and in many cases killing the target fish, this chemical indiscriminately kills all sensitive benthic invertebrates as well.

Recently, several hundred Napoleon Wrasses marked for the live fish trade have been seized from two individuals in the area and released in the park. This event has been echoed throughout the world and the apprehension of the culprits and freeing of the fish has been received very positively. However, one must wonder how many fish have previously been illegally captured and killed by these operators, not withholding how much of the coral reef ecosystem has been damaged during the capture of the fish. The use of bombs in fishing is a highly destructive and inefficient fishing method, as the large proportion of killed fish is of no economic value and is sinking to the bottom after the blast. Bombed areas of coral reef will take decades to recover. It has been reported to us from many sources that blast and cyanide fishing is still going on.

Similarly, the collection of fish for the live aquarium trade removes especially those species that divers are most interested in, not to mention that an estimated 70% of wild caught aquarium fish do not live beyond one year in captivity. If unchecked, these activities will destroy the basis for any future dive tourism in this area. Penalties must be stiffer and enforcement consequential in order to deter lawbreakers.

We are pleased to have the opportunity to submit this proposal with a range of suggestions to increase the standing and improve the position of North Sulawesi. Our primary concern is with providing the best solution for sustaining natural resources as well as increasing the economic welfare through tourism and non-damaging agriculture whilst sustaining local fish stocks. Additionally, we believe that a Marine Protected Area in the sea north of Likupang, bordering both a National Park and a Nature Reserve, will set a precedent and may prove to be a model that will be used as an example for conservation worldwide. Our further suggestions will help to verify the image of Manado as a clean and likable city and will help it in attaining the goal of becoming World Tourism City 2010, emphasizing the natural beauty of Manado. Making it a true green city with an efficient infrastructure will complement the god-given natural beauty that surrounds it.

Robin Marinos, Assisted by: Sebastian Ferse, MSc

Founder and Director, Marine Ecologist

Earth-Advocates