A government official has emphasized the potential for the upcoming 2023 Archipelagic and Island States (AIS) Forum Summit to yield agreements that enhance the quality of coastal and marine ecosystems, particularly in combatting plastic waste pollution.
Suharini Eliawati, the Head of the Jakarta Food Security, Marine, and Agriculture (KPKP) Office, highlighted the importance of regional and global agreements in addressing marine pollution. The AIS Forum, scheduled for October 10-11, 2023, in Bali, will focus on marine pollution among other topics.
Eliawati emphasized that marine pollution is a global issue, with pollutants originating from various regions and countries. She noted that the declining quality of coastal and marine ecosystems can have ecological, social, and economic repercussions.
Plastic waste in the sea can negatively impact coastal aesthetics, marine tourism, and harm marine life, including the potential health effects of microplastics in fish. In economic terms, a decrease in environmental quality can deter investments in maritime-based activities like marine tourism, fisheries, and sea transportation.
Eliawati stressed the urgency of addressing plastic waste in coastal areas to mitigate these challenges.