MEDAN | INDATANEWS.COM ~ The North Sumatra Provincial Government has officially launched Pojok Konservasi Laut, marking the province's first maritime education center. The science-based learning hub is designed to enhance public ocean literacy—particularly among young people—while fostering greater awareness of sustainable marine resource management in North Sumatra.
With a coastline stretching over 2,300 kilometers and marine waters covering nearly four million hectares, North Sumatra is home to vital marine ecosystems, including mangrove forests, seagrass meadows, and coral reefs. These ecosystems also support charismatic marine species such as sea turtles and dolphins. However, growing pressures from overfishing, coastal land conversion, and limited public understanding of sustainable ocean management pose serious threats to their long-term survival.
In response to these challenges, the North Sumatra Office of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, in collaboration with Konservasi Indonesia, established Pojok Konservasi Laut as a bridge between scientific knowledge and practical implementation in the field.
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Designed as a mini learning center, Pojok Konservasi Laut integrates scientific data, policy frameworks, and real-world examples of marine management. Through visual displays and concise educational materials, visitors gain insights into the current condition of North Sumatra's seas, key challenges, and sustainable solutions.
Head of the North Sumatra Office of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, Supryanto, emphasized the importance of shared understanding in marine conservation efforts.
"The seas of North Sumatra are a vital source of livelihood for many coastal communities. Without sustainability awareness, human activities risk damaging ecosystems and threatening people's long-term welfare. Pojok Konservasi Laut serves as a shared learning space to ensure that policies and on-the-ground actions are increasingly knowledge-based," he said.
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Located within the Office of Marine Affairs and Fisheries building, Pojok Konservasi Laut forms part of broader efforts to strengthen science communication in the marine sector. The center showcases key national and regional marine policies, including the MPA Vision 30x45 initiative, Fisheries Management Areas (WPP) 571 and 572, marine protected areas, and critical ecosystems such as mangroves, seagrass beds, and coral reefs.
It also presents examples of sustainable fisheries and aquaculture practices from across North Sumatra. A notable feature is curated information on marine megafauna found in the province's western waters, based on findings from OceanX expeditions conducted in collaboration with BRIN and Konservasi Indonesia.
Jeri Imansyah, Sundaland Program Director of Konservasi Indonesia, highlighted the importance of making scientific data accessible to the public.
Read Also: North Sumatra Prosecutor Applies Restorative Justice in Simalungun Assault Case "Reliable marine data are essential for planning and policymaking. Their impact, however, is far greater when the public understands them. Young people, in particular, need to know their own seas to take responsibility in the future. Pojok Konservasi Laut is a strategic space that connects science with sustainable management," he explained.
Engaging the Young Generation
The launch of Pojok Konservasi Laut was accompanied by a talk show involving representatives from civil society, non-governmental organizations, government agencies, and university students. Discussions focused on actively engaging the younger generation, seen as key stakeholders in shaping the future of marine policy.
Justin Gibrant Sinaga, Chairman of the Aquatic Resources Management Student Association (Imapera) at the University of North Sumatra (USU), praised the center's practical approach.
Read Also: Bobby Nasution Urges Youth to Embrace Adaptability and Industrialization "After visiting Pojok Konservasi Laut, I was able to see real data and the actual condition of North Sumatra's seas. For students, this space is extremely important in helping us understand why policies and conservation measures are necessary," he said.
In the long term, Pojok Konservasi Laut is expected to evolve into a multi-stakeholder collaboration platform to further strengthen ocean literacy in North Sumatra. The initiative underscores that marine conservation cannot rely solely on regulation, but must be supported by knowledge, awareness, and active public participation. (IDNC)
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