Mangrove forest in Numfor plays is important both for the people and the environment of the tropical island. It protects small fish, prevents erosion can reduce the power of Tsunami. Numfor island is a beautiful travel destination that I recommend to tourists. When I first landed on the ship harbor of Numfor island, I saw a lot of fresh fish was being sold by fishermen on the pier in cheap price. I have visited this tropical island for three times. And this time, I just returned to Manokwari city from Numfor after flying for around twenty minutes by Susi Air. I am very surprised to find out that fish is abundant in Numfor's waters. Located close to Manokwari city, the capital of West Papua province, Numfor is an important supplier of fresh and salted fish.
As a tourist guide, I have several opportunities of traveling around the shores of Numfor to see the coastal environment and the daily life of the villagers who live along island. Much of the shores of Numfor island is covered with such trees as coconuts, catapa and barringtonia. Swampy areas are dominated by mangrove forest. When I visited the mangrove forest, I saw large amount of fish in various species living in the waters among the roots of the mangrove trees. This small fish makes the mangrove forest as safe shelter to protect them from predators which are usually bigger fish and birds that can hunt them easily in an open waters.
In areas where vast areas of mangrove forest exists, fish stock is abundant. I now understand that mangrove forests are really important for us because of their function in providing safe nursing ground for fish before they become big enough to live in the open sea. Besides its vital function as home for small fish, mangrove trees protects islands from big waves that cause erosion.
When I was in Yemburwo village located at the northern part of the island, I saw that the people there had planted the tidal areas of the northern shores with endless rows of mangrove seedlings. They did this to protect their homes or villages from possible Tsunami attacks that could hit the island anytime in the future. Numfor and Biak frequently experince tectonic earthquakes. Numfor island is quite flat compared to the maind New Guinea or Papua island whose northern areas are mountainous. The islanders know that mangrove forest is not only important in protecting small fish and preventing erosion, but also reducing the destructive force of Tsunami that could hit this beautiful tropical island in the future.
If you are interested in visiting Numfor island, and are looking for a tourist guide to accompany you and arrange your travel, please contact me (Charles Roring) via my email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by whatsapp to: +6281332245180.
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