The Implication of Indonesia’s Sea Toll Road towards the

Sustainability of Its Coral Reefs Preservation: The Resilience and

Prospect

Aisyah Meidiana Soetirto and Kurniawati Sa’adah

Universitas Airlangga

Keywords: Conservation, coral reefs, globalization, Indonesia

Abstract: This paper analyze the important of coral reef conservation in Indonesia within the massif sea

transportation. Sea toll road and China's Belt and Road initiative become one of important factor as well as

indicator the destruction of coral reef. Indonesia is one of the richest coral reefs in the world, it is one of the

important ecosystem both for productivity and high biodiversity. As one of tropical country which consist of

water and sea, Indonesia has become the highest contributor of 18% in a world coral reefs. Globalization

allows the rapid development of transportation, thus both human mobility and goods become significant.

Marine transportation is one of the massive transportation tools used for both business and travel, as well as

private both locally and internationally. These activities could threaten the existence of the coral reef. The

massif destruction of coral reefs will likely affect numbers of sectors as well as the ecosystem around it.

Thus, it is important to understand the resilience and the prospect as well as preserve and maintain it from

the extinction. In analyzing this problem the concepts and theories of international cooperation become a

useful tool of analysis. Through the cooperation and involvement of the formal and informal sectors,

Indonesia's centrality in conserving coral reefs is important for further study. The result of this research is

supposed to be a reference for the decision maker in the future.

1 INTRODUCING

This paper want to talk about the implications of

Indonesia’s Sea Tolls in the sustainability of coral

reef conservation. Indonesia is a country largely

composed of seas and islands. The location of the

Indonesian state also makes it one of six countries

together with Malaysia, Timor Leste, Philippines,

Papua New Guinea, and Solomon Islands that enter

into the coral triangle world. This makes the six

countries have the highest coral reef biodiversity in

the world. Since 2009, every May 8 is celebrated as

the day of the world’s coral reefs. (CNN Indonesia,

2018)

Based on data from the Indonesian Institute of

Sciences (LIPI) in 2017, it was identified that only

6.39 percent of coral reefs are in excellent condition.

In addition, coral reefs are in good condition as

much as 23.40 percent, with sufficient conditions

35.06 percent, and poor condition there are 35.15

percent. This result is taken from 108 locations and

1064 stations in all Indonesia’s waters. The category

is based on the percentage of live coral cover. Very

good category when the cover reaches 76-100

percent, good category with cover 51-75 percent,

enough category at 26-50 percent, and bad category

with 0-25 percent cover.

The condition of coral reefs is certainly very

important for marine ecosystem life. Coral reefs are

widely used as a home and a living pedestal of coral

fishes, as well as other marine biota. Therefore,

maintaining the quality of coral reefs is needed. It

takes tens to hundreds of years in the coral reef

growth process. Not only for sea creatures, coral

reefs are also a source of protein for humans though

fish that grow big I the surrounding area of coral

reefs. This means, there are about 120 millions

people dependent on the supply of dish in the waters

as a source of food. In addition, coral reefs also

include a source of revenue of 2.4 million US dollars

through the fishery business and 12 million US

dollars of tourism business in Southeast Asia, such

as the island of Komodo and Raja Ampat Island.

This ecosystem also has a high productivity and

biodiversity species, so coral reefs are also known as

laboratories of ecology and potentially as medicinal,

Soetirto, A. and Sa’adah, K.

The Implication of Indonesia’s Sea Toll Road towards the Sustainability of Its Coral Reefs Preservation: The Resilience and Prospect.

DOI: 10.5220/0010276900002309

In Proceedings of Airlangga Conference on International Relations (ACIR 2018) - Politics, Economy, and Security in Changing Indo-Paciﬁc Region, pages 343-347

ISBN: 978-989-758-493-0

343

anti-viral, anti-cancer, and so on. (Wahyu D. dkk,

2013).

Look at that issues, its very clear that coral reefs

are very important both for the inhabitants of the

oceans and for human life. The question then what

will happen to the corral reef when it is linked to the

sea tolls, which is one of the infrastructure to

connect all parts of Indonesia as an archipelagic

country by sea. What the implications of the sea tolls

on coral reefs that are scattered almost throughout

the waters of Indonesia.

2 CONDITION OF INDONESIAN

CORAL REEFS

Based on Greenpeace’s records, the coral reefs in

Indonesia reach 50.875 kilo square meters which

accounts for 18 percent of the total coral reef in the

world and 65 percent of the total area of coral

triangle. Most of the coral reefs are located in the

eastern part of Indonesia. Indonesia has coral reef

biodiversity, there are approximately 590 hard coral

species, 76 representing more than 95 percent of

species recorded in the Coral Triangle Center.

In Indonesia’s coral reefs there are fish and other

marine biodiversity that is very much and diverse, at

least have recorded about 2200 species are

considered endemic and show that most species have

extensive and interconnected races throughout the

Coral Triangle Area (Desiana Wahyu, et al., 2013)

According to Suharsono, senior researcher and

coral reef expert of LIPI Oceanography Research

Center, the condition of coral reefs in Indonesia has

decreased compared to previous years. The main

causes of this are human activities, global climate

change, and pests diseases. The spread of Indonesian

coral reefs is found from Sabang to Merauke with

the highest concentration of distribution is in the

central and eastern waters of Indonesia.

According to data from 2007 Coral Reef

Rehabilitation and Management Project

(COREMAP) survey, Indonesia’s coral reefs are

considered to be very healthy. Entering the year

2014, a study conducted by researchers of the

Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) at 1135

stations shows there are 30.4 percent of the location

of coral reefs are in damaged condition. Seen only

about 27 percent of coral reef sites are declared in

good condition. Nevertheless, Suharsono, principal

researcher on coral reefs at LIPI, said that coral reefs

damaged by nature events can generally return to

normal. Moreover, the implementation of the

COREMAP II Program of decentralization and

acceleration has improved the condition of coral

reefs in good condition (2% increase in national

trend).

3 INDONESIA’S SEA TOLLS

INFRASTRUCTURE

A whole of Indonesia is an island nation and has a

vast ocean. The total area of the sea in Indonesia

reaches 5.9 million square kilometers (National Sea

Jurisdiction), the area comprises 2.9 million square

kilometers of the Nusantara Sea, 0.3 million square

meters of Territorial Sea, and 2.7 square kilometers

is Exclusive Economic Zone Indonesia (ZEEI).

Based on its geo-strategic, Indonesia lies between

the Asian Continent and the Australian Continent

and has two Indonesian Archipelagic Sea Lines

(ALKI) that have been established under the

international maritime law conventions. In addition,

the potential of Indonesia’s marine resources is also

very abundant, not only fish but also minerals

located below sea level. That materials are tin, iron

ore, gold, bauxite, nickel, and oil gas. Coastal

resources did not escape the form of coral reefs,

mangroves, etc.

Some of the things that make infrastructure in

maritime it becomes very important. The Sea Toll

Project is one of President Joko Widodo’s ideals to

create effectiveness and efficiency in development

and economic growth in Indonesia. During his

leadership, the Sea Toll can not be separated from

the vision and mission of Jokowi and JK

government. Together with the development of

integrated and connected marine infrastructure such

as the Sea Toll, the main outcome to be achieved is

efficiency, especially in travel time of faster

transport at a cheaper cost. Ahead of Presidential

election in 2014, Presidential Candidate Jokowi said

“Sea Toll is not a road, meaning there is a deep sea

port, there are ports in Sumatra, Java, Kalimantan,

Sulawesi and Papua. There is a large ship that paced

every day, so the prices in all these are the same.”

Accumulatively, it is expected to reduce high

cost economies and reduce price gaps between

regions, create equitable distribution and ultimately

increase the competitiveness of Indonesia’s

economy in the context of global trade. This way

also means that business actors will get a better

profit margin, which will attract investors to

compete to invest and the national economy will

move more dynamic. Employment will increase,

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state revenues increase, and the welfare if society

will be better. Basically the Sea Toll is an effort to

provide the sea transport network regularly and

though the implementation of sea transport service

and improvement of port facilities. Sea Toll will

form a node and connect the main port (Hub) with

the feeder ports (Feeder).

As in general, mass transports are already

working well in some developed countries, the Sea

Tolls will certainly provide a regular and regular sea

transport service and can connect it to smaller, more

evenly distributed ports in the western and eastern

parts of Indonesia. In this way the sea will actually

be a connection between the islands in Indonesia.

Now the sea is no longer a separator, but rather as a

land hub. From any port we depart, through the Sea

Tolls infrastructure can get us to any port in the

Indonesia territory. Sea Tolls is expected to be a

solution of even distribution of regional

development until now more focused to the island of

Java. Evidenced by looking at the Gross Regional

Domestic Product (GRDP) based on constant 2010

prices, which is calculated in billion rupiah. Total

GDP in Sumatra is 1.774.934,9; Java 4.883.536,3;

Bali and Nusa Tenggara 249.171,2; Kalimantan

794,6; Sulawesi 485.369,8; Maluku and Papua

213,286. Comparation of GRDP in Java and outside

Java indicates that the funds flowing only to the

island of Java. Many areas are rich in natural

resources such as squeezed juice and shipped to Java,

while those returning to the area are few. As a result

of this would make Java Island more advanced on

the contrary in the area who getting left behind. At

the end of Sea Toll is a means of driving the engine

of the economy to all regions in Indonesia.

The sea toll which is still under construction and

equipment is now showing more positive result.

Secretary General of the DPP INSA (Indonesia

National Shipowners Association). Budi Halim

highlights on the Sea Toll of domestic maritime axis

to the world. According to Budi Halim, the Sea Toll

is a way to get all logistics in all parts of the

archipelago cheap. In 2016, while there are 24 newly

built ports and no fleets, there are 12 roads ready for

the road, and by 2017 there will be 3 port routes

(Himaindonesia. 2016). Budi Halim said “There is a

shortage of the port built, the new in and out the ship

leaning. There should be logistic support, industrial,

and powerplant to become one unit in order not to be

high cost, and both are subsidized by Pelni Company.

The subsidy should be given to the local government,

increasing the production of its home industry so

that there is a backlink from the area, let not empty

the charge from there”. Then concerning the

maritime axis, according to him is the access from

Indonesia as a sea that is passed by the international.

A clear example can be seen from the Malacca Strait,

it is the territorial oceans of Indonesia but who get

the toll fee is Singapore. Therefore the rules and

regulations of Indonesia Should be more clear.

4 EFFECT OF SEA TOLLS ON

CORAL REEF

CONSERVATION

The increasingly massive Sea Tolls Infrastructure

will greatly affect the various marine life on the

surface, coastal, and in the ocean. It can not be

denied that the development of a technology there

will be a sacrifice made to achieve it. Examples such

as the Indonesian Sea Toll, the continuous

development that takes place the sea as the main

character here is well realized or not, suffered a very

fatal damage if not immediately addressed.

Professor of marine biology research Center of

Oceanographic Research LIPI, Suharsono, added

that of all damaged coral reefs is caused by mass

bleaching, but most of it arises because of lack of

public awareness of the importance of maintaining

the marine biota. Whereas the existence of coral

reefs is very important but its growth every year is

very slow when it compared with the damage is so

massive. The coral bleaching events of coral reefs

are caused by a combination of climate change and

global warming. Suharsono also has conducted

observations in the field at several locations that are

still just found destructive activity, such as fishing

using bombs, pollution, and increased development

in coastal areas. Sea Toll Infrastructure is one of

enhancement and development of coastal areas.

Surely this is one cause of damage that occurs on

coral reefs. Because with the Sea Toll, Sea vehicle

will be more massive passing by. The development

that occurred in coastal areas was already undeniable.

The existence of sea toll indeed facilitate

economic equity not only in Java, but also to all

parts of Indonesia. But sadly, it also makes a lot of

coral reef damage caused by continuous sea

passengers. One example that can be taken is

Karimunjawa as one of Indonesia’s coral reef

conservation areas.

Karimunjawa National Park (KjNP) is one of the

conservation areas that are busy crossed by ship

crossing from various directions. Located at a

crossroads of shipping traffic makes the wisdom in

managing the regional to be able to make all parties

The Implication of Indonesia’s Sea Toll Road towards the Sustainability of Its Coral Reefs Preservation: The Resilience and Prospect

345

satisfied. What is more, KjNP is the only coastal and

small islands located in the northern coastal oceans

of Central Java. The welfare of local communities is

a major global problem for the management of KjNP.

Coral reef ecosystem is so expected to be a buffer of

economic inputs of local communities Karimunjawa.

Coral reefs are very meritorious to generate income

for communities derived from catch fish and

snorkeling-diving attractions. Healthy coral reefs

produce an abundance of marine fish production in

accordance with the maximum sustainable yield to

be captured by local fishermen. Healthy coral reef

will be very attractive as a fun water dive and

snorkeling attraction. As a global issues, the oceans

of KjNP are able to play a role not only as nursery

ground but also fishing ground and a tourism ground

for the welfare of the local community.

The upgrading of this tourism ground will lead to

increased ship crossing in passengers, goods,

services, and energy in the oceans of KjNP. There

was an increase in sea traffic and the addition of

infrastructure in the ocean of KjNP. This condition

becomes a real threat to the health of coral reef. The

outside of the oceans of KjNP used to have normal

and traditional routes of voyages that often pass by

passenger ships, cargo, and super tankers with 10-20

meters draft is a real damage to coral reefs both

collisions, air ballasts, and oil spills from tankers

that is leaking. Can be imagined now with the Sea

Toll, oceans more facilitate the sea lane and the

damage is getting bigger. During the year 2017 to

July, there are 5 barges that hit the coral reefs being

conserved, one incident shipwreck aggregation

fertilizer ship due to leaking ship bodies.

The trajectory of ships and coral reefs is like a

double-edged knife. We can not prohibit ship

crossings to save coral reefs, but also allow the

crossing of ships not necessarily damaging coral

reefs. Integration and synergy of alternative

management policies that are premature, preventive,

and repressive with the main program of early

detection of ship existence utilizing Automatic

Identification System (AIS) device installed on ship

body is a must try. This requires the development of

information systems and ship surveillance

technology that must be done at the level of KjNP

Hall, where the growth of coral reefs.

In premature, it must be socialized to the

shipping company so that the captains will turn on

AIS when they will cross the oceans of KjNP even

report the position and identity of the ship to AIS

Base Station which has been connected to internet

network. That way the BKjNP officer can download

the service on the site that provides data and

information of the vessel. So preventively, KjNP

officers who are on patrol can know the position of

ships entering the ocean of KjNP and provide

guidance to safe places from coral reefs to cross

even the mooring of ships. The KjNP officers must

also super vice the mooring operations procedures.

Suppose that in addition to holding the inter-vessel

with a standard strap, each ship also installed anchor

on the location that there are no coral reefs.

5 CONCLUSION

The conclusion is the sea tolls is very useful for

Indonesia. Seeing the country of Indonesia as a

maritime country, the sea is not as a separator but a

connector with the sea tolls. This is makes the sea

traffic more crowded and will affect the marine biota

that passed. Coral reefs are one of the most

important underwater biota. Massive ship traffic due

to sea tolls would affect the damage occurs on coral

reefs. Although most of the coral reefs in Indonesia

are damaged, conservation is continuing for the

survival of coral reefs. Resilience of coral reefs is to

continue to conserve and try to prevent damage, one

of them in a way as applied in Karimunjawa

National Park.

The prospect of coral reeds against sea tolls,

can continue to survive with the consciousness of

humans to keep trying to conserve. Sea tolls is not

the reason for the destruction of coral reefs, but

make the sea tolls as one of conservation tool by

bringing tourists who care about the preservation of

coral reefs.

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