The Penida, made up of three islands called Penida, Lembongan and Ceningan in Southeast Bali, is situated in the southwestern corner of the Coral Triangle. This location suggests that the diversity of corals and reef fishes is likely to be high. The area is also famous for aggregations of ocean sunfish and manta rays that are frequently seen on the south coast of Penida and attract large numbers of divers and snorkellers. Whales and dolphins migrate through the straits to the East and West of the Three Sisters.

In recent years, The Nature Conservancy’s Coral Triangle Center (TNC-CTC) has implemented a range of marine conservation outreach activities focusing on Southeast Bali, including the Penida. The goal of these activities was to strengthen the positive image of Bali’s coasts and seas, which are areas of exceptional natural richness that provide benefits for local communities through tourism, fisheries and seaweed culture. The program implemented a wide-range of community activities, increasing awareness among local communities and tourism operators on marine conservation issues. Simultaneously, this has resulted in an excellent working relationship between TNC-CTC and local communities.

As a next step, TNC proposes to start up a three-year process that will provide local government and local communities with the tools to effectively manage the coastal and marine resources of the Penida. The tool of choice is a co-managed marine protected area, designed for sustainable use by the tourism and fishery industries. This program will involve local stakeholders in the design of a multi-purpose marine protected area around the Penida. Furthermore, this project will also directly address imminent threats to the coastal and marine ecosystems of the Penida.

Overfishing, using both legal and illegal fishing gear (especially cyanide fishing for aquarium fish) poses a serious threat to the reef ecosystems of the Penida. Coastal development (especially tourism development) will become a more serious threat if environmental issues are not considered. Already now, solid wastes such as plastics are frequently perceived as one of the most serious environmental problems threatening the Penida.

The District Government of Klungkung requires support to manage increasing fishery and tourism pressures to protect these important coastal and marine habitats. Therefore, TNC-CTC proposes to work with the local government and local communities to establish an effective governance framework while addressing immediate threats. This will link the Penida to a national initiative of the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries to establish MPAs in other parts of the Lesser Sundas Marine Eco-region and other parts of the Coral Triangle.