Padang, West Sumatra (ANTARA) – The Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment underscored Indonesia’s optimism about reducing plastic waste in the ocean by 70 percent.

“Indonesia’s target is to be able to reduce the plastic waste in the ocean by 2025,” acting deputy secretary for maritime human resources coordination at the ministry, Aniza, said here on Tuesday.

She noted that the target is relatively big and ambitious. However, the government, especially the relevant institutions, must be confident of setting a higher target to protect the underwater ecosystem from the threat of plastic waste pollution.

Based on data obtained by the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment, in 2023, around 12.87 million tons of plastic waste was scattered in Indonesian seas.

Baca Juga: Astaga!, Sampah Plastik di Perairan Laut Indonesia Capai 12,87 Juta Ton

The government has implemented several policies to tackle this, including the “Indonesia Mission 2024.” One of the policies focuses on studying waste and microplastics in the Indonesian seas.

During a series of research conducted by global ocean exploration non-profit organization OceanX with the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) in Indonesia, researchers found plastic waste at certain depths but not as much as in other countries.

Furthermore, as part of the Indonesia Mission 2024, which involved foreign researchers, researchers also took water samples to check for microplastics in Indonesian seas.

Baca Juga: Selamatkan Teluk dari Sampah Plastik

The results of the research on microplastics are deemed very important as study materials or an early warning for the government and the wider community to protect the oceans from waste pollution.

It is said that microplastics can pollute the sea and associated ecosystems. If fish eat microplastics and are consumed by the public, it could pose a threat to public health.

After the entire series of research stages are completed, the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries and the research team will announce the results and hold a seminar to encourage people to pay more attention to protecting marine ecosystems.