30 Mar Understanding Regulations on Coral Restoration in Indonesia

Coral reef restoration is one of the many efforts to rehabilitate damaged reefs and maintain the resilience of healthy coral reefs. In Indonesia alone, there are more than 500 initiatives in coral restoration, initiated by the government, private sector, community and NGOs. Moreover, according to a recent study published in the journal Marine Policy in March 2022, there are a total of 17 laws within Indonesia’s legal policy framework that pertain to coral restoration activities. However, many restoration practitioners are unaware of these regulations.

Thus, March 30, 2022, CTC, in collaboration with Indonesian Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries – BPSPL Denpasar, facilitated a Webinar specifically to disseminate the Ministerial Regulation No. 28/2021 on the implementation of marine spatial regulation pertaining to reef restoration. The regulation states that each individual or organization conducting activity on the coastal waters, waters area and/or jurisdiction area on a marine space is obliged to have the Kesesuaian Kegiatan Pemanfaatan Ruang Laut (KKPRL) permit.

Ms. Rili Djohani, CTC Executive Director, welcomed all participants while Mr. Marthen Welly, CTC Marine Conservation Advisor, was the moderator and Mr. Permana Yudiarso as the Head of BPSPL delivered clear explanations on the requirements, submission and issuance of this permit.

Mr. Yudiarso noted that business related activities will need to apply for an approval document (Persetujuan Kesesuaian Kegiatan Pemanfaatan Ruang Laut/PKKPRL) through https://oss.go.id/ and non-business activities can apply for a confirmation document (Konfirmasi Kesesuaian Penataan Ruang Laut/KKPRL) by emailing a detailed description of the project to https://sihandal.kkp.go.id. He further encouraged all restoration practitioners, especially in Bali, to apply as soon as possible.

The webinar was attended by a total of 61 participants, all of which were actively making inquiries in preparation to comply with the regulation. It would be ideal if new and existing restoration projects in Indonesia could run in line with the regulations that have been formulated by the government. That way, we can unite and answer the global commitment in conservation together as a nation, through a solid network and partnerships of restoration practitioners. You can watch the webinar recording through this link.

Apart from the webinar, CTC also continues to work with its partners to further disseminate lessons learned and best practices in reef restoration through a network of reef restoration practitioners. CTC, in collaboration with Marine Affairs and Fisheries Agency of Bali Province (DKP) Bali and MMAF facilitated the formation of Bali Reef Rehabilitation Network in 2019, where the members are able to share experience and knowledge regarding various methods and restoration approaches. CTC also has a partnership with Mars Sustainable Solutions with the support from Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Vibrant Oceans Initiative in forming the Coral Reef Restoration Task Force with the objective of providing technical support and evaluating restoration projects in the Coral Triangle while it is also supporting a community-based restoration project in Nusa Penida by the Nuansa Pulau Community Group.

Photo Credit: Pariama Hutasoit/Nusa Dua Reef Foundation Slide Credit: Permana Yudiarso/BPSPL Denpasar