7 Amazing Makassar Strait Facts

The Makassar Strait, additionally known as the Indonesian Selat Makassar and the Macassar Strait, is a slim passageway on the west-central Pacific Ocean. It is located between the islands of Borneo and Sulawesi in Indonesia.

It joins the Celebes Sea to the north and meets the Java Sea to the south. Towards the northeast, it types the Sangkulirang Bay. The Mahakam and Karangan Rivers empty into the strait.

It is a strategic waterway and a key transport route.

Discussed on this article are 7 main info in regards to the Makassar Strait.

1. Extent of the Makassar Strait

The strait extends 500 miles or 800 km northeast-southwest from the Celebes Sea to the Java Sea. It passes between Borneo on the west and Celebes on the east. The strait’s width varies from roughly 80 to 230 miles or 130 to 370 km.

The International Hydrographic Organisation defines the strait as part of the East Indian Archipelago waters. Its limits have been outlined by IHO because the channel between Sulawesi’s west coast, earlier known as Celebes, and the jap coast of Borneo.

The strait is restricted to the north by a line which connects Tanjong Mangkalihat in Borneo and the Cape Rivers. On the south, it’s bounded by a line from the southwestern finish of the Celebes, passing by means of the southern level of Tana Keke to the south finish of Laoet earlier than it goes to the island’s western coast to Tanjong Kiwi, in the end throughout to Tanjong Petang in Borneo on the southern finish of Laoet Strait.

2. High Marine Biodiversity

The Makassar Strait is wealthy in marine biodiversity and is a significant migration route for a lot of species. Per research, it’s dwelling to over 700 fish species, together with mackerel, grouper, tuna, and reef fish. The whale shark additionally feeds on the abundantly accessible small fish and plankton within the strait’s waters.

The strait additionally attracts spinner dolphins and melon-headed whales. Humpbacks migrate right here seasonally, and hawksbill, leatherback, and inexperienced turtles reside there.

Various exhausting and mushy corals type very important reef habitats. More than 250 coral species are discovered within the Makassar Strait. Mangrove forests alongside the coast supply nursery areas for shellfish, crustaceans and different fish. Extensive Seagrass meadows help sea turtles and dugongs.

3. Fishing is a significant financial exercise

Thousands of fishermen rely upon fishing within the Makassar Strait waters for his or her livelihood. The coastal communities nonetheless use conventional strategies of fishing. The fish caught is consumed by the households, and the surplus is bought in native markets for some extra revenue.

The typical catch consists of tuna, mackerel, shrimp, crab, and squid. Skipjack and yellowfin tuna make up the majority of the catch.

Prominent fishing ports alongside the Makassar Strait lie in South Sulawesi and East Kalimantan. Near these services lie factories and fish processing items.

The complete annual income from fishing within the Makassar Strait is multiple billion {dollars}. Tuna catches alone quantity to a whole lot of tens of millions for Indonesia. Most tuna is exported to Japan, Europe, and the U.S.

Though fisheries represent a big useful resource, overfishing and air pollution have depleted fish shares, notably of species reminiscent of groupers.

Another concern is the bycatch of endangered species like inexperienced turtles and sharks. Hence, marine protected areas are being established, and efforts are being made to take care of these points successfully.

4. Has a tropical local weather

The area has a mean temperature of 27.5 °C with nearly no excessive variation because of its location. The common excessive is about 32.5 °C, and the typical low is round 22.5 °C all year long.

Rainfall is excessive, with the annual common being 2000 to 3000 mm. The climate is heat and humid, with air temperatures between 26-32°C.

The Makassar Strait’s water is heat and comfy, with common temperatures of 28-30°C. It is heat even throughout winter, so many individuals flock right here for an ideal vacation. Visibility within the water ranges from 30 to 100 toes.

Strong tidal currents, some with speeds of over 4 knots, exist within the strait. These currents are brought on by the blending of waters from the Java, Flores, and Banda Seas.

Seasonal monsoon winds additionally affect climate. Southeast commerce winds blow from December to March. Northwest Monsoon winds prevail from June to September.

5. Laut and Sebuku Islands are the most important within the Makassar Strait

Laut Island lies off the southeastern coast of Borneo within the Makassar Strait. It is 100 km lengthy from north to south and 30 km huge from east to west. The island covers an space of 2062 sq. kilometres. It is low-lying and flat; nevertheless, within the northeast, hills rise to round 800 m. Most of the island is dotted with coconut palms, mangrove timber and sago. It has a scorching and humid local weather with a rainfall of 150 inches between November and May.

The majority of individuals on the island are engaged in producing spices, particularly pepper and rubber, that are cultivated in plantations. Coal mining can also be vital; coal, copra and pepper are the principal export gadgets. The Port of Kotabaru on the island’s northern finish is linked through roadways with Karambu on the west coast.

6. Balikpapan is the primary settlement alongside the strait

Balikpapan is a significant bay and seaport in East Kalimantan, Indonesia. It is on the jap coast of Indonesian Borneo, dealing with the Makassar Strait. It is the location of an oil refinery that processes crude oils.

It was a fishing village that was developed within the nineteenth century. Oil drilling started right here in 1897. Two years later, the Dutch East Indies colonial administration gave it the standing of a township.

In 1907, Bataafsche Petroleum Maatschappij made it its headquarters and introduced engineers and different expert labourers from overseas to the settlement. Many MNCs got here right here and invested within the oil trade, resulting in an financial growth.

During the Second World War, Japan occupied it, and the Allies additionally bombed it within the first Balikpapan battle in 1942 and one other battle in 1945.

Oil fields have been working right here since 1899. Some lie within the coastal area round 100 km northeast. The refinery was destroyed in 1942 throughout the Second World War, nevertheless it was rebuilt after the conflict ended.

7. Has many vital ports and harbours

Bontang Port is situated within the Makassar Strait on the east coast of Kalimantan Island. It is a significant LPG and LNG export terminal. Kaltim Fertiliser Harbour is north of the LNG facility and handles liquid ammonia, common cargo, and urea.

Balikpapan has a large oil refinery and is an oil tanker port. It additionally offers with common cargo, forest merchandise, scrap iron and rattan. Additionally, it has a coal terminal at Tanjung Makassar with a deep method channel.

Approximately 34,500,000 tonnes of cargo, 93,000 TEU and 6,000 vessels are dealt with yearly right here.
Makassar is without doubt one of the main Indonesian ports. It lies on the southwest coast of Sulawesi Island and serves Ujung Pandanf, the capital of south Sulawesi province. It is well-sheltered and exports rubber, spices, espresso, shells, gum, wooden, rattan, tripang and copra.

Major imports embody cotton, woollens, glassware, wine, spirits, {hardware}, and tobacco. Around 9,681,800 tonnes of cargo and 302,000 TEU are dealt with yearly.

Pare-Pare lies on the west coast of Sulawesi. It is a busy port open to worldwide commerce, cruise traces, and the export of cereals, rice, espresso, and livestock. It handles round 976,000 tonnes of cargo, 2,800 TEUs, and 1,000 vessels yearly.

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About Author

Zahra is an alumna of Miranda House, University of Delhi. She is an avid author, possessing immaculate analysis and enhancing abilities. Author of a number of tutorial papers, she has additionally labored as a contract author, producing many technical, inventive and advertising items. A real aesthete at coronary heart, she loves books just a little greater than the rest.

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