On July 11, 2024, the Coral Triangle Center (CTC), in collaboration with key partners, including the Provincial Fisheries Office of Maluku (DKP Maluku), the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (MMAF), Pattimura University, and the Baileo Foundation, organized a focus group discussion (FGD) as part to assess potential Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures (OECMs) in Maluku. This FGD, attended by various stakeholders and community representatives from Negeri Haruku and Negeri Pelauw, marked a critical step in identifying and verifying seven core OECM areas, plus three additional sites, across Indonesia.

OECMs are geographically defined areas outside traditional protected zones that are managed to achieve long-term conservation outcomes for biodiversity. These areas play a crucial role in in-situ conservation by maintaining ecosystem functions and services while also considering cultural, spiritual, and socio-economic values. In the case of Negeri Haruku, the primary management goal is the preservation of cultural and customary practices related to fisheries resource management, particularly through the traditional “sasi” system. This system includes specific taboo zones connected to sasi areas, where the harvesting of marine resources is regulated and enforced through community-based rules. Similarly, Negeri Pelauw employs a unique auction-based approach to managing its four sasi zones, granting harvesting rights to the highest bidder every two years. 

Following this local-level initiative, a key meeting was held at the Aryaduta Hotel in Jakarta on July 12, 2024, chaired by Dr. Firdaus Agung, Director of Marine Ecosystem and Species Protection at MMAF. The meeting served as a kick-off for the development of a National MPA Forum in Indonesia. Facilitated by CTC as part of a consortium of NGOs supporting MPA and OECM development to protect 30% of Indonesian waters by 2045, the event brought together stakeholders from various sectors, including representatives from the Ministry of Home Affairs, USAID Kolektif, and consortium members such as WWF, Rare, Yayasan Pesisir Lestari, Konservasi Indonesia, Rekam Nusantara, and Reef Check Indonesia. The participants reached a consensus on establishing a National MPA Forum to support Indonesia’s MPA vision to protect its oceans, focusing on implementation and monitoring.

Furthering these discussions, a back-to-back meeting was held on August 12, 2024, with consortium members and MMAF. The meeting focused on finalizing two key documents: the concept paper for MPAs in coastal fisheries and the MPA Vision 2045. Reviewed by Prof. Fedi Sondita, the concept paper and tools were validated as aligned with existing tools that ensure MPA effectiveness and sustainable fisheries management.  These coordinated efforts highlight Indonesia’s commitment to advancing marine conservation through innovative frameworks like OECMs and MPAs, ensuring the sustainable management of the country’s rich marine biodiversity while respecting cultural traditions and community practices.

Photos: Hesti Widodo/CTC, Marthen Welly/CTC