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10 Interesting Facts About Halmahera Sea

The Halmahera Sea is a water body in the central-eastern portion of the Australasian Mediterranean Sea. It plays a vital role in shipping and is biologically diverse. People come to the Halmahera Sea and its surrounding islands for snorkelling and diving, a popular tourist attraction in the region.

Read this article to learn 10 interesting facts about the Halmahera Sea.

1. Bordered by the Pacific Ocean and several Islands

The Pacific Ocean, Halmahera Island, Waigeo, West Papua and Seram Sea surround the Halmahera Sea.

The Halmahera Sea spans 95,000 km or 59,000 miles and its topography includes several separate basins and ridges, the main one being the Halmahera Basin, reaching a depth of around 2039 metres.

Halmahera Sea
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2. Halmahera is the Biggest Island of the Moluccas, Indonesia

The Halmahera Sea shares its name with the largest island of the Moluccas, Indonesia. The Halmahera Island is situated between the Molucca Sea and the Pacific Ocean. It has 4 peninsulas and 3 bays.

It covers 17,780 square kilometres, and the meaning of ‘Halmahera’ is ‘motherland.’ There are mountain chains as high as 3000 to 5000 feet, interrupted in between by plains. Some of the mountains are volcanic.

There are 3 active volcanoes, of which Mount Gamkonora is 1635 m high. Many small rivers and lakes support the inhabitants living in the island’s interior who sustain themselves by hunting, fishing and collecting wild berries. Coconuts, cloves, nutmeg and coffee are cultivated by people who live in coastal areas.

3. Strategic Geographical Location for Shipping

The Halmahera Sea’s position between the Pacific Ocean and the Molucca Sea makes it a vital shipping route for vessels plying between the Indian and the Pacific Oceans. It is used for maritime trade between Southeast Asia, Australia and East Asia.

4. Has many important regional ports

There are a few ports, especially in the Maluku Islands and in the northern part of Indonesia. Rather than being large facilities, they are smaller commercial ports that are important for regional maritime trade.

The Port of Tobelo on Halmahera Island is one of the ports which serves local trade and is a centre for shipping cargo to other parts of Maluku Islands and beyond. Another port on the island is the Port of Sofifi, which is important for regional shipping and logistics.

Port of Ternate on the Ternate Island, which lies west of the Halmahera Island, is a busy port in the North Maluku province since it witnesses cargo ships and passenger vessels.

The Port of Bitung lies on the north coast of Sulawesi, bordering the Halmahera Sea. The deepwater facility handles international cargo and acts as a transhipment centre for the eastern Indonesian archipelago, including cargo moving through the Halmahera Sea.

Port of Bacan supports local industries, fisheries, and small-scale cargo movements across the nearby islands.

5. Eddies and Gyres impact shipping operations

Eddies and Gyres are common in this sea, which can affect shipping by creating turbulent waters. Current patterns are complex due to the Halmahera Sea’s location within the Indonesian Throughflow (ITF), which links the Pacific Ocean and the Indian Ocean with waters flowing via Indonesia’s archipelagic area.

It also drives circulation in the Halmahera Sea, which flows mainly from the Pacific Ocean to the Indian Ocean. ITF splits into many branches as it passes through the region’s many straits and water bodies, including the Halmahera Sea.

Currents change strength and vary according to the seasons. From December to March, flow is intense as trade winds strengthen the westward flow of the Indonesian Throughflow, while currents become weak between June and September.

ITF can create strong flows, especially in narrow straits and along the coasts of Halmahera Island, so ships passing through these regions must be careful.

6. Halmahera Sea is popular for tuna fishing

Yellowfin Tuna is the main catch in this sea, with fishermen going in small groups to locate tuna schools using natural cues such as birds or dolphins.

Small boats are used, and fishermen use a single hook and line. In a single fishing trip, they can catch between 70 and 3000 kilograms of tuna.

tuna fishing
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There is little to no bycatch, and fishing occurs on the surface, so the marine environment is not negatively affected.

The fish is then taken to a local processing plant, where it is turned into canned products or frozen for shipping to different countries around the world.

7. Boasts one of the highest levels of coral biodiversity in the world

The Halmahera Sea is known for being biologically rich with species of over 3000 fish, such as barracuda, black snapper, tuna, fusiliers, sweetlips and sharks, including white and black tip reef sharks and hammerheads. Manta Rays, Hawksbill turtles and green turtles can also be found in the region.

coral biodiversity
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The Halmahera Sea, which lies in the Coral Triangle, is home to around 550 types of stony coral and many soft corals. It is said to be one of the world’s most biodiverse marine areas, with coral reefs, mangrove forests, lagoons, and strong currents.

8. A major route for energy trade

The Halmahera Sea offers a direct route for oil tankers and LNG ships carrying oil from Australia and Southeast Asia to countries like China, South Korea, Japan and other East Asian nations.

The Halmahera Sea is becoming a widely used route as energy demands in East Asia rise, especially for natural gas.

The rise in LNG imports driven by a shift to clean energy in China and Japan means more tankers pass through this water body, so geopolitical tensions, piracy, or other events could impact energy prices in the region and supply chains.

9. Experiences a tropical maritime climate

As it lies close to the equator, the sea has a warm climate throughout the year and distinct wet and dry seasons. Temperatures range between 26-30 degrees Celsius all year round.

The region has high humidity, between 70% and 90%, and experiences significant rains, with annual rainfall ranging from 2000 mm to 3500 mm, in different locations within the sea and nearby islands.

tropical maritime climate
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There are two monsoon seasons: the Northeast Monsoon and the Southwest Monsoon. While the former brings heavy rain, strong winds and rough seas, the latter is mild and leads to calm seas.

Climate conditions affect shipping due to monsoon-driven changes in wind patterns, which can lead to storms, decreased visibility, and rough seas.

10. Has notable WWII Shipwrecks

The Halmahera Sea has many shipwrecks, especially from the Second World War, since the area was a battleground during the Pacific Campaign.

A few wrecks are linked to the 1944 Battle of Morotai, which was part of the Pacific War. It began when the U.S. and Australian forces landed on Morotai Island, which the Allies needed as a base to support the liberation of the Philippines.

wreck diving
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Naval action took place in this battle, and many ships were sunk. The wrecks are important historical artefacts and dive sites that contribute to the maritime legacy of the Halmahera Sea.

The area is also famous for wreck diving, with locations like Pulau Pisang and Pulau Tifore, whose diverse underwater geography and wrecks and ridges attract divers.

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About Author

Zahra is an alumna of Miranda House, University of Delhi. She is an avid writer, possessing immaculate research and editing skills. Author of several academic papers, she has also worked as a freelance writer, producing many technical, creative and marketing pieces. A true aesthete at heart, she loves books a little more than anything else.

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The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only. While we endeavour to keep the information up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.


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