Advancing Maritime Capacity: KIOTEC Hosts Training On Multispectral Sensor Drone-Based Benthic Habitat Mapping

Jakarta, 2 October 2024 — The Korea-Indonesia Marine Technology Cooperation Research Center (MTCRC) is intergovernmental in the field of Marine Science and Technology between Korea, officially represented by KIOST on behalf of MOF, and Indonesia, represented by the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) and the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment (CMMAI). 

MTCRC's primary functions include serving as a platform for cooperation, joint research, and capacity building to strengthen and promote practical collaboration in marine science and technology between the two countries. As part of its capacity-building activities, MTCRC has organized a program titled "Capacity Development for Benthic Mapping Training," held from September 28 to October 2, 2024, at Pulau Pari and the KIOTEC Office, BPPSDMKP Ancol. This training featured two expert trainers from Pusan National University (PNU) and was attended by MTCRC researchers.

During the five days of intensive training, participants learned the operational practices of drones equipped with multispectral sensors and hyperspectral radiometers to build a spectral library of benthic objects. Additionally, participants were trained in data processing techniques such as orthophoto creation, atmospheric correction, glints correction, water column correction, and the semi-analytical SAMBUCA method for benthic habitat classification, where benthic mapping in Indonesia has not been widely conducted and is still underdeveloped. With this training, the methods learned can be applied across all clear waters in Indonesia, supporting efforts to protect coastal ecosystems, maintain biodiversity, and contribute to climate change mitigation through the sustainable utilization of blue carbon resources, which is one of MTCRC's main focuses.

This training is expected to strengthen the capacity of MTCRC researchers, particularly in conducting benthic habitat mapping surveys using multispectral sensors and applying more efficient methods for mapping in small islands. One of the long-term outcomes of this training is the development of a guide or methodology that meets international standards, which will serve as an essential resource for implementing capacity-development projects through the Official Development Assistance program titled "Establishment of the Integrated Ocean Fisheries Technology Training Center and Enhancement of Capacity Building in Indonesia" (ODA KIOTEC). The ODA KIOTEC project is funded by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF) of the Republic of Korea and initiated by the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment (Kemenko Marves) of the Republic of Indonesia. This project aims to enhance the capacity of human resources in Indonesia's maritime sector, particularly through specialized courses and training programs.

During the training, Mr. Seungil BAEK, the trainer, stated that this training is a valuable step in enhancing human resource capacity in Indonesia. The knowledge gained will not only strengthen participants’ abilities in benthic habitat mapping surveys but will also contribute to sustainable marine ecosystem conservation and management efforts.

MTCRC researchers will present the results of this training in one of the sessions of the Regional Training and Research Center on Marine Biodiversity and Ecosystem Health (RTRC-MarBEST) program titled “Remote Sensing-Based Seagrass Blue Carbon Assessment”, organized by the Research Center for Oceanography, BRIN. Through this training, MTCRC demonstrates its commitment to supporting sustainable research, particularly regarding blue carbon, while also strengthening the cooperation between Korea and Indonesia in the field of marine research and technology development in general.