In carrying out its role as one of the competency test implementers (Tempat Uji Kompetensi/TUK) in marine affairs and fisheries in Indonesia, the Coral Triangle Center (CTC) conducted a series of training and competency tests for prospective marine conservation competency assessors. The training lasted for four days from 22-25 June 2019 at the Fisheries University (Sekolah Tinggi Perikanan/STP) in Pasar Minggu, South Jakarta, followed by an assessment day for all participants on June 26.

19 participants attended, consisting of 11 CTC staff, three lecturers from Khairun University, Pattimura University and Papua State University, three staff from the Marine Affairs and Fisheries Agency of Maluku Province, North Maluku and West Papua, one local NGO partner in Maluku, and one partner from the USAID SEA Project. The training was held intensively in order to emphasize the participants’ understanding level and skills in assessment planning, implementation and validation, through adult learning systems taught by the Master Assessor from the National Professional Certification Agency (BNSP). During the training process, CTC was supported by STP, who allowed their students to become competency test simulation partners for the participants.

On the last day, after passing a series of observational and practical tests, all participants were declared to be successfully competent as assessors by examiners from the National Professional Certification Agency (BNSP). These new assessors will now be engaged by professional certification institutions such as LSP-KP, LSP-P and BNSP to carry out competency tests for project or management teams in Marine Protected Areas, especially in Eastern Indonesia. This session was one of CTC’s contributions to supporting its commitment to the national target of 30 million hectares of marine conservation areas in Indonesia that will be well managed by 2030.