20 Dec CTC Training Alumni Reunion: Marine Conservationists Gather in Nusa Penida Marine Protected Area

Since the establishment of CTC in 2010, through training and learning activities, CTC has more than 4,000 alumni from all over Indonesia and across the Coral Triangle. Eight years after the establishment of CTC, training alumni are returning to reflect on the impact of training activities, build and maintain networks among CTC training alumni, and to enrich the alumni with new or relevant topics about the conservation of marine resources.

CTC conducted the Alumni Reunion on 20-22 December 2018 in Nusa Penida, Bali. To join the event, CTC Training alumni submitted a poster and its narrative about their contribution in supporting conservation, sustainable fisheries, and marine resources.

Out of 37 alumni who submitted a poster and its narrative, only 20 participants who have been selected based on a judging process carried out by the Directorate of Conservation and Marine Biodiversity, Marine and Fisheries Counseling and Training Center, and Coral Triangle Center. The 20 selected participants were from several institutions i.e. Fishermen from Semarang, BKSDA East Nusa Tenggara, BPPP Ambon, BPPP Bitung, BPPP Banyuwangi, local community from Jepara, Sula and Buano, Fisheries Department in Seram, Fisheries Extension Officer (FEO) Jepara, FEO in West Bangka, FEO in Probolinggo, Aketajawe Lolobata National Park,  Fisheries Department in Jepara, Khairun University, Pattimura University, Fisheries and Animal Husbandry Department Jambi, as well as WWF Indonesia.

The participants shared various topics that have been implemented by them and/or their institution in supporting conservation, sustainable fisheries, and marine resources. For instance, coral rehabilitation, utilization of plastic waste, traditional fish aggregation devices, until about the management of the true parrot. Following, the participants also presented their poster with a short and brief speech. Focus group discussion also has been conducted to know more participants concerns about training activities. Lastly, participant visited CTC Learning Site, Nusa Penida Marine Protected Area (MPA). During the visiting process, the participants learned about the mangrove ecosystem, how to identify mangrove species as well as discuss with the mangrove management group. Then, the participants also gained some field practical on how to snorkel and identify coral.

Three trainers from CTC delivered the enrichment topic, i.e. grant writing, blue carbon and green fins. Based on trainer observation, participants were highly interested in the topic given. Most of the participants were eager to learn, ask multiple questions and were actively involved in the discussion. From focus group discussion, the participants found that management and technical training, study visit, as well as a pilot project, were their main concern to increase their capacity and they stated that the best timing to conduct such a training is on March each year.