LIPI Intensifies Marine Reseasrch in Eastern Indonesian Waters

Ambon, Maluku (Antara) - The Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) has been intensifying deep sea research in eastern Indonesian waters which could give significant contribution to the world's marine science. The number of human resources including researchers and administrative staff, was increased to support the research program, LIPI Chairman Lukman Hakim said here on Tuesday. The facilities and infrastructure to carry out deep sea research have also been improved, according to him. LIPI has upgraded the status of Ambon's marine biota conservation office into a Deep Sea Research Center for eastern Indonesia. Hakim recalled that the then president Soekarno had planned to set up the largest oceanography institute in Southeast Asia, in Ambon, Maluku Province, with the assistance of Russia. But the plan had been cancelled due to the communist coup in 1960s. In 1971, LIPI set up a research station in Ambon and upgraded its status into a marine resource research office in 1998. Head of the Ambon Marine Resource Research office Augy Syahalaitua said that Maluku's waters was a foundation of Indonesia's marine science because of its abundant marine biota. "The Maluku and Ambon waters have contributed to the world's marine science significantly," he said. Eastern Indonesian waters consisting of vast deep seas, are mostly unexplored. (*)