Biak : The Global Maritime Axis in the Pacific

Biak: Biak Numfor Regency, Papua, is an archipelagic area in Papua Province which is rich in natural potential, both for fisheries and marine tourism. Biak also has the opportunity to become the world’s maritime axis in the Pacific because of its very strategic location. Biak Island is located in the equatorial area adjacent to various countries in the Pacific islands.

Quoting Antara, Thursday, June 2, 2022, various major countries in the world are eyeing Biak’s potential as an archipelagic area rich in natural resources and marine tourism. To reach the World Maritime Axis in the Pacific, there are several aspects that need to be prepared, namely maritime development which includes infrastructure, political, socio-cultural, legal, security and economic aspects.

The enforcement of the sovereignty of the territorial sea of ​​the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI), revitalization of marine economic sectors, strengthening and development of maritime connectivity, rehabilitation of environmental damage and biodiversity conservation, as well as increasing the quality and quantity of marine human resources, are the main programs in an effort to realize Indonesia as the world’s maritime axis. .

The Chief of Presidential Staff of the Republic of Indonesia, Moeldoko, acknowledged that the tourism and fisheries potential of Biak Numfor Regency is very abundant, so it must be managed properly in order to improve the welfare of the local community. “I conducted a survey of visits from the air, the Biak island area is very promising, especially the tourism and fisheries sectors,” said Moeldoko.

In accordance with the government’s development policy, the Biak Numfor Regency area is included in the national strategic program. Therefore, various potentials for marine tourism and fisheries in Biak continue to be encouraged in order to prosper the Papuan people by building basic infrastructure.

Meanwhile, regarding efforts to realize Indonesia as the world’s maritime axis, President Joko Widodo has proclaimed five main pillars, namely the first pillar in the form of rebuilding Indonesia’s maritime culture. The second pillar is committed to maintaining and managing marine resources with a focus on building seafood sovereignty through the development of the fishing industry by placing fishermen as the main pillar.

The third pillar is the commitment to encourage the development of maritime infrastructure and connectivity by building sea highways, sea ports, logistics and shipping industry, as well as maritime tourism. The fourth pillar is conducting maritime diplomacy which invites all Indonesian partners to work together in the maritime sector. The fifth pillar is building a maritime defense force.

Meanwhile, to get to Biak Island as a maritime axis in the Pacific, a maritime development process is needed which includes aspects of infrastructure, politics, socio-culture, law, security, and economy, and upholding the sovereignty of the territorial sea of ​​the Republic of Indonesia. In addition, it is necessary to revitalize marine economic sectors, strengthen and develop maritime connectivity, rehabilitate environmental damage, and conserve biodiversity.

Another aspect that is equally important to prepare Biak as well as the maritime axis is to improve the quality and quantity of marine human resources. In the next 25 years, the Biak archipelago is estimated to be crowded, because of its geopolitical, socio-cultural, and defense and security promise.

Moeldoko hopes that the central government through cross-ministerial policies will realize various policies and development programs in Biak Numfor Regency quickly and in an integrated manner. “Biak Island has the potential of natural resources with the leading sectors of tourism, marine and fisheries. Biak must be maintained if Indonesia wants to become the world’s maritime axis,” he concluded.

Source: Medcom.Id – MSN