RI, US to renew partnership on ocean exploration

JAKARTA: The Indonesian Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry and the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) are working on new terms for collaboration on marine and fisheries science.

Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Sharif Cicip Sutardjo met with US Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs Kerri-Ann Jones to discuss the issue on Wednesday. The two institutions signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the issue in 2007 that expires in September 2012.

“We have carried out several projects under the MoU and hope to be able to pursue other important programs in the future,” Sharif said.

Jones said that the US was very optimistic about the upcoming cooperation. “The Indonesian and US partners identify areas where they want to continue and do more research,” she added.

One of the projects considered a success under the 2007 MoU was Index Satal 2010, a joint deep-sea exploration in Sangihe Talaud waters, North Sulawesi.

It involved scientists and technicians from various institutions, such as the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI), Assessment and Application of Technology Agency (BPPT) and Indonesian Research and Technology Ministry.

While Indonesia dispatched Baruna Jaya IV, a ship belonging to the BPPT, the US sent its Okeanos Explorer ship for Index Satal 2010. The team discovered at least 53 species of fish, 19 species of shrimp and seven of cephalopod during the exploration.