International maritime activities in the Wakatobi

Indonesia will hold an annual national maritime activities named Sail-Belitong Wakatobi (SWB) 2011, among others, as a venue for investment and promotion of cultural and maritime tourism in the Wakatobi and Belitong.
International maritime activities of these will contribute to national economic development.
- Fadel Muhammad

"This international maritime activities will contribute to national economic development, particularly the local area economy," said Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Fadel Muhammad, in Jakarta, Thursday (20/01/2011).

According to Fadel, the organization of national maritime activities in 2011 will take on the theme "Clean Ocean for the Future Live".

The purpose of making this theme is aimed at addressing climate change caused by rising sea surface temperatures resulting from various management activities that do not meet the standards of marine environmental management.

Meanwhile, Director General of Control of Marine Resources and Fisheries, Syahrin Abdurrahman said, there are six major activities in SWB 2011.

The six activities that include yacht rally, social action in Operation Bhakti Surya Bhaskara Jaya, national and international seminars on the management of marine resources and fisheries.

While the other main activity is to cross the archipelago teen nautical, maritime and fishery products exhibition, as well as the top event is planned to be attended by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

SWB 2011 will be held for six weeks beginning in the second week of July to fourth week of August.

As for activities yacht rally will begin on July 23 in Darwin, Australia. The participants planned to rally past the 21 districts / cities in Indonesia before ending in Singapore.

As for Operation Baskara Surya Jaya Bhakti will be held in six provinces, namely Riau Islands, Bangka Belitung, West Kalimantan, Gorontalo, Sulawesi and South Sulawesi.

23.02 | 0 komentar | Read More

Wakatobi heavily promoting Sail-Belitong

The government is heavily promoting Wakatobi Wakatobi Sail-Belitong. Regent Hugua Wakatobi Wakatobi has said that under the highest sea level of diversity in the world, both in terms of coral diversity. and marine biota.

"Wakatobi has 750 types of coral reefs of the 850 identified in the world. Compare with the Caribbean just 50 species, or the Red Sea with 300 species. In Wakatobi there are 942 species of fish," said Hugua to Kompas.com in Jakarta, Wednesday (16 / 2 / 2011).

Not only that, white sand and uninhabited islands into tourist potential of Wakatobi. According Hugua, who became more value Wakatobi sea is the sea that is not polluted because there is no industry in the region.

Hugua said that most foreign tourists to visit the area in order to investigate. They came from England, Ireland and the United States. "The number could reach 1,000 people per year. Because we have a lab under the sea the most active in the world. Lab is an international level and to examine marine life," he explained.

Many of the tourists coming for pleasure indeed. The average is a tourist long stay guests who stay a minimum of 10 days. "The legend says that some of the great king in the world ever came to Wakatobi, and the king's sons to stay at Wakatobi can be up to a month," he says.

Wakatobi's dominant market is still about the countries in Europe and the United States. "If Asian countries are like Korea and Japan have not. ASEAN countries is also a little," he said.

23.00 | 0 komentar | Read More

Liya fort at Wakatobi untreated

Liya Fortress conditions in Wakatobi, Sulawesi Tenggara, neglected by much of the damage and age. The community is urging the government restored the fort to preserve the historical value.

"In addition, if restored, could be an alternative Liya Citadel interesting attractions in the Wakatobi," said Chairman of the Forum Family Liya Habiu LM Ali on Friday (04/01/2011) in Kendari.

The physical condition of the fort made of natural stone, said Ali, remaining less than 10 percent. Besides age, the fort suffered severe destruction during the Japanese occupation from 1942 to 1945. "Japan ordered the demolition of the fort and the material used for road foundations and piers," he said.

As a result, building the fort which was as high as 3 meters with a circumference of the outermost 16 km now just leaving the foundation as high as 1 meter. Gates of the fort are also many that have been damaged. Some buildings in the complex, such as Baruga (meeting place) and the cannons of the kingdom, also had weathered and rusted.

Liya Citadel is one of the fortress complex owned by the Sultanate of Buton, one of the maritime kingdom in Southeast Sulawesi, which debuted in the 16th century and 17. The fort was located on the island of Wangi-scented, now enter sub-scented fragrance South, Wakatobi.

However, based on the testimony Ali, who believes there is a version Liya fort existed long before the Sultanate of Buton stood. "Some historians say Buton, Liya Fortress was built around the 13th century by the first king who is a descendant dynasty Liya Rajasa in Kediri," he said.

This year, Ali adds, there are plans to restore some of Citadel Liya is a project of the Ministry of Public Works. Fund of Rp 2.3 billion of which will be used to repair the fort door 15, Baruga, the establishment of the gate, and the development of arts and cultural center. "The restoration is part Sail Wakatobi preparation for next August," he said.

Contacted separately, head of Makassar BP3 Andi Muhammad Said, who also oversees the area of ​​Southeast Sulawesi, said this month it would reduce the team to perform technical studies Fortress Liya restoration. "The study calculates what should be done, what kind of restoration model, and estimate the costs," he said.

Based on the assessment BP3, Fort Liya very feasible for restoration because in addition to a high historical value is also the potential magnitude of the cultural and historical attractions in the Wakatobi. "However, the restoration was not entirely done by BP3, but is also expected to have contributions from local government," said Said.

22.58 | 0 komentar | Read More

Wakatobi Islands marine tourism

Wakatobi Islands are synonymous with marine tourism in the form of diving and snorkeling. Diving in the islands of Wangi-scented island, Kadelupa, Tomia and Binongko, these divers can see the marine life which is rarely found in other dive places.

Napoleon addition, divers can find other biodiversity, such as coral, sea hare, lion fish until the hordes of fish that move together to form a specific pattern. Included in the coral triangle, biodiversity in the waters of Wakatobi are one of the richest.

Project Leader WWF Wakatobi, Sugiyanta, who often dive in the waters of Wakatobi said, "In this place that obviously we can find a large Napoleon fish are hard to find elsewhere."

Napoleon fish (Cheilunus undulatus) according Sugiyanta, has a distinctive green color and the marks on the head. "This fish also has a calm behavior," he added.

When viewed at a glance, the fish's mouth is also similar to the mouth louhan. Napoleon is a large reef fish species that live in tropical waters. These fish can reach the age of 50 years in length and weighing up to 1.5 meters and weighs 80 kg.

These fish have a reproductive system of hermaphrodites, are usually born a male, then turn into females when growing up. This type of fish food is crustaceans and molluscs. Fish usually found in areas of coral is still good.

In contrast to other fish that are commonly encountered in the colony, these fish live solitary. Another distinctive feature, the eyes can rotate 180 degrees so they can see.

Sugiyanta say, Napoleon can only be found in some of the Wakatobi region, such as Sampela reef, near Pulau Hoga, Waha at Wangi-scented, Tona reef, and the port Mandati, "said Sugiyanta, when encountered in the WWF trip to Wakatobi media on Wednesday (4 / 5).

Some other areas where the fish was found is near Tomia, namely South Lentea Coral Reef and Cape Island Runduma Runduma. "Usually, Napoleon fish can be found at a depth of 23 meters," said Sugiyanta.

He reveals, these fish can be found all the time. Napoleon fish is an endangered marine life, because the hunt for delicious meat. Its population is now thinning, so protection is needed to save this species.

Wakatobi can now be reached by commercial aircraft that landed at Wangi-scented. Meanwhile, to meet Napoleon, there is a boat or ship that can transport up to the desired location, as well as a dive guide.

22.56 | 0 komentar | Read More

prevent damage to marine ecosystems

Mining activities in the Wakatobi reefs are still a threat to the survival of marine ecosystems. Although the number of miners has fallen, some still in operation, of which derived from the fragrance-scented.

WWF Program Coordinator Wakatobi Sugiyanta said several years ago identified 72 coral miners, 30 of them purely as a miner and the rest as a sideline.

"After coaching the number has decreased but is still there," said Sugiyanta. According Sugiyanta, factors that encourage mining activities is the lack of livelihood options, easier to get money and the demand from the market.

Mining is also sometimes done for personal development needs. Mining activities are usually performed with a crowbar and disrupt the process of cultivation of seaweed. Sugiyanta say, mining makes the water turbid so disturbing fertility of cultivated seaweed other citizens.

Although coral mining is clearly prohibited, but it is important to find a strategic effort to invite people stop doing it, could not immediately banned. "We're trying to do alternative livelihoods, such as seaweed farming and ecotourism," said Sugiyanta.

According Sugiyanta, if left unchecked, coral mining would adversely affect the ecosystem and the citizens themselves. "The impact is a decrease in the number of reef fish. Indirectly, will also be an impact on the lives of fishermen," said Sugiyanta.

Head of Fisheries floating DKP Wakatobi Bahrul Haer said that mining activities are also disturbing is sand mining. According to him, sand mining activities are even more difficult to overcome.

"If the coral is prohibited, to build can still bring a stone from the ground. But if the sand, still need to find a solution," said Bahr. He said the current was still seeking the solution, including efforts to promote environmentally friendly fishing.

Wakatobi region consisting of fragrance, fragrant, Kaledupa, Tomia, and Binongo is a Marine National Park area. Problem-solving environment encourages the success of conservation programs are included in the World's Coral Triangle region.

22.53 | 0 komentar | Read More

underwater landscapes of the exotic

BEAUTIFUL underwater Wakatobi indeed one of the best in the world. Location of Wakatobi are included in the Coral Triangle World makes this place a paradise for divers. How not, Wakatobi has 750 of 850 coral species, corals and diverse marine creatures that have been hard to find in other areas.

Realize the dream of enjoying all the beauty of Wakatobi is now not difficult. Transportation to Wakatobi, Sulawesi Tenggara, available every day. Meanwhile, in Wangi-scented, Wakatobi's capital, has been available public transportation, taxis and motorcycle taxis. The total cost required is not too expensive, with only 7 million for vacation for 3 days 2 nights. You can get ready for backpacking there.

To go to Wakatobi, you can choose to use a ship or aircraft. Using the ships are cheaper, but time consuming, from Makassar to Wakatobi it takes more than 10 hours. So, put on a plane is a more appropriate choice might make the trip even if you do not like a backpacker.

Currently, flights to the fragrance-scented, Wakatobi's capital, is available every day. Water Express airline, flights from Makassar to-scented fragrance once a day, departing from Makassar approximately 8:00 pm. These flights using small aircraft laden people in their 30s and will transit in the smells.

Flights to Makassar can be done with any airline. But, try to be able to arrive several hours before the flight to Wakatobi depart. If you want to be safe, it would be better to choose the same flight with the airline. The cost of Jakarta to-scented fragrance with Express Water around Rp 1.9 million.

Arriving at Wangi-scented, you can start looking for accommodation by taxi or motorcycle taxi. Taxis in Wangi-scented usually not metered, so it's better first taxi price survey by asking some of the parties. If you would like fragrance-scented tour, a taxi can also be rented all day at a cost of about Rp 250,000.

For ease of transportation, it would be better to choose accommodation in Wangi-scented. No need to worry about spending another region, because there is a speedboat or a boat can take you to other Wakatobi region, such as the Hoga, Kaledupa, Tomia and Binongo.

There are a variety of lodging options. The most inexpensive is to stay at home people, it will cost about Rp 50,000 per night. Standard hotel has a tariff of Rp 150,000 to Rp 300,000 per night. If you want more luxury, the resort used to choose a price of Rp 500,000 to Rp 1,500,000 per night.

Done with the affairs of accommodation, you can begin to prepare the core event, enjoying the sea keidahan. As elsewhere, there are two alternatives, snorkeling and diving. If you do not have the equipment, you can rent, including a guide and boat will be delivered to the diving site.

To find a guide, the easiest to contact the WWF office Wakatobi. They have a network to a few people who can guide the submarine. There are several guides that offer packages, diving equipment, ships and the inn at a price of Rp 1,000,000 per person per day. Condition, the minimum group is 4 people.

With the package, you can dive in some of the best places Wakatobi, including Hoga, Waha, Tomia and elsewhere. In particular dive site, you can find fish that size is quite large Napoleon wrasse, including sea hares, various starfish and a definite diversity of coral.

In addition to diving and snorkeling, you can also enjoy the attractions of dolphins with Dolphin Watching or see panoramic sunrise and sunset at Hoga, one of the best panoramic view of sunset and sunrise. Seaweed cultivation can also be seen in certain places, especially around Kaledupa and fragrance-scented.

At night, dark sky also offers a sprinkling of stars. For those who like astronomy, Wakatobi could also be an alternative. In some areas, can still be found Bajo village in the middle of the ocean, despite the growing number of little moment.

If you really want to surround Wakatobi, at least it took a week to be quite satisfied. Because the trip one island to another must be done by speedboat with a specific schedule that sometimes unreliable. Could have hired a special speedboat, but the pricing is expensive.

For culinary tourism, there are some things to try. You can taste kasuami, the staple food made from cassava is grated, squeezed the water and steamed, usually eaten with fish. There is also a chicken curry and cake karasi Wakatobi. To be sure, a variety of seafood is easily found. There are people who even ate octopus.

Well, let's realize the dream to Wakatobi. Enjoy the beauty that originally existed only in stories or movies. For those who do not like or can not dive, do not be afraid. Snorkeling activity is promising beauty, just make sure the guide still exist near you, at least keep you feeling calm.

22.49 | 0 komentar | Read More