Derawan Islands

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The Derawan Islands (Indonesian: Kepulauan Derawan) are in Kalimantan, East Kalimantan, Indonesia covering Derawan, Sangalaki, Kakaban, Maratua, Panjang, and Samama Island as well as several submerged reefs and small islets, are located in the Sulawesi Sea, on the coastal shelf of East Kalimantan (2°17'N - 118°13'E).

The Derawan Islands have about 31 islands <smal>(see table)

Names every single island on Derawan Islands
No.	Island Name	Hectare (ha)
1.	Semut	6.9
2.	Andongabu	5.3
3.	Bakungan	8.7
4.	Bantaian	230.6
5.	Besing	560.1
6.	Bonggong	123.2
7.	Bulingisan	4.5
8.	Derawan	44.6
9.	Maratua	2375.7
10.	Nunukan	4.8
11.	Panjang	565.4
12.	Rabu-rabu	26.7
13.	Sangalaki	15.9
14.	Sangalan	3.5
15.	Sapinang	241.3
16.	Semama	91.1
17.	Sidau	31.2
18.	Tiaung	372.5
19.	Pabahanan	2.0
20.	Kakaban	774.2
21.	Sodang Besar	6145.8
22.	Telasau	1080.0
23.	Tempurung	1291.2
24.	Bilang-bilangan	25.2
25.	Manimbora	2.0
26.	Blambangan	22.0
27.	Sambit	18.0
28.	Mataha	25.8
29.	Kaniungan Besar	73.3
30.	Kaniungan Kecil	10.2
31.	Bali Kukup	18.2

1 Biodiversity
2 Resources Use
3 Problems
4 See also

[edit] Biodiversity

Located in the global biodiversity hotspot, the Derawan Islands are featured by high diversity of reef fishes (347 species), corals (222 species), and invertebrates, including a considerable number of protected species (5 giants clam species, 2 sea turtles, coconut crab, etc). Some of the islands harbor the heavily exploited turtle eggs and yet the largest green turtle nesting site in Indonesia.

[edit] Resources Use

There are two islands inhabited, namely Derawan (1 village of 1,259 people) and Maratua (4 villages of 2,704 people). Fishing is an important income generating activity for the community. Since early 1990s, people have started to catch live groupers, napoleon wrasses, and lobsters, due to high demand and price. As a world class dive tourism destination, there are 3 international dive resorts on Derawan Islands , while more additional resorts or facilities are in the planning process.

[edit] Problems

Problems in Derawan Islands including:

Overfishing and overexploitation, including turtle egg collection
Destructive fisheries utilizing cyanide and explosives
Environmental degradation caused by diving related activities and unsustainable tourism development, especially around the Kakaban lake
The increase of sedimentation due to intensive logging activities in Berau estuary nearby and in the adjacent watershed areas.
The increase of sewage pollution cased by growing human population on small islands and the intensive tourism development.