Department of Marine Affairs and Fisheries of Papua conveyed the threat of damage to the coral reef ecosystem in the Land of Cenderawasih, which is slowly starting to have an impact on the increasing speed of coastal abrasion.

The damaged coral reefs also have an economic impact by reducing fish catches for fishermen and reducing tourism objects. Therefore, people are reminded to start taking part in preserving the marine ecosystem by not littering and hunting for fish without damaging coral reefs.

"The reasons for the damage to coral reefs in Papua are various, but the most influencing factor is human activity," the Head of Fisheries Processing and Marketing, DKP Papua, Iman Djuniawal, told the press, Sunday (August 23, 2020). He said that the most damaging of the coral reef ecosystem in Papua is the behavior of dumping plastic waste into the sea.

If it is not stopped, in the next few years coral reef ecosystems throughout Papua will suffer total damage. Therefore, public awareness to dispose of plastic waste in an appropriate place must be continuously socialized because plastic waste causes coral bleaching.

This coral lives from the pores. If these pores are covered with plastic, of course the coral cannot breathe and will die. That's why we need to prevent plastic waste from being dumped into the sea.

Specifically assessing the coral reefs in the waters of Jayapura City, Iman said that they had suffered damage which was also exacerbated by the activity of using fish bombs. Although there have been efforts made by related agencies to rehabilitate damaged coral reefs, a special team needs to be formed to monitor the development of these coral reefs.

"There have been some rehabilitated points. But it also needs treatment, because if it is planted but not treated it will be less than optimal. Then importantly there should be a team that monitors it regularly, because this young coral is very susceptible to being damaged again," he said.