At the end of July 2025, Coral Triangle Center (CTC) together with government partners and local communities carried out monitoring and surveillance of marine resources in two important conservation areas in Maluku: the Ay and Rhun Islands Regional Marine Conservation Area (KKD) in Banda, and the Lease Islands Marine Protected Area. These activities are part of regular Resource Utilization Monitoring (RUM) aimed at documenting how marine resources are used, minimizing violations, and increasing compliance with zoning regulations.

The Banda Islands were designated as a national marine conservation area in 2009, followed by the establishment of the Ay and Rhun Islands KKD in 2021 covering 61,178.53 hectares with core, limited-use, and other designated zones. Meanwhile, the Lease Islands were established in 2021 as a Small Island Park covering 67,484.19 hectares, consisting of coral reefs, seagrass beds, mangroves, and serving as habitat for species such as dugongs and reef fish of high economic value. Both areas face challenges from human activities and natural pressures, requiring strong collaboration in monitoring and management.

Monitoring in Banda: Ay and Rhun Islands

On July 30, the integrated monitoring team, composed of DKP Maluku, CDKP Banda, BKKPN Kupang Satker Banda, Polairud, TNI AL, local Babinsa, Pokmaswas, PVI, and CTC, recorded 25 activities, including 13 mobile uses (11 fishing and 2 tourism) and 12 fixed uses (10 mooring buoys and 2 fish aggregating devices). No endangered, threatened, or protected species were observed, and no violations were detected, resulting in a 100% compliance rate.

Monitoring in Lease Islands

On July 28, monitoring in Lease involved DKP Maluku, CDKP Gugus Pulau VII, Pokmaswas, Kewang, local authorities, and CTC, with 10 participants. The team recorded 28 activities consisting of 8 fishing activities and 20 fixed uses (bagan and rumpon). All fishing activities used small traditional boats with handlines, and resource users came from within the Lease region as well as neighboring areas. As in Banda, no violations were recorded, resulting in 100% compliance.

The monitoring also highlighted the low level of non-fishing economic activities in Lease during July, with no tourism or trade vessel activity observed. Despite rough sea conditions that limited coverage in some areas, the survey successfully documented resource use patterns across key zones.

Building Capacity and Collaboration

Beyond the data, both monitoring activities served as a platform for capacity building. Local monitoring groups (Pokmaswas), Kewang, and village representatives gained direct field experience in conservation management. The process strengthened their role in observing, recording, and reporting activities, ensuring community involvement remains at the heart of conservation efforts.

Moving Forward

The 100% compliance rates recorded in both Banda and Lease are encouraging signs that collaborative monitoring and strong engagement with local stakeholders are working. To sustain these results, partners emphasized the need for more frequent monitoring, stronger outreach on zoning rules and endangered species, expanded training on data collection tools, and the installation of clear boundary markers and information boards in key coastal areas.

CTC and its partners remain committed to supporting effective, community-driven conservation in Maluku and across the Coral Triangle. By combining science, collaboration, and local leadership, these efforts contribute to Indonesia’s national target of protecting 30% of marine and coastal waters by 2045.

Writers: Asia Salsabilla, Gerald Istia, Soraya Rahmad, Shendy Raiman, Purwanto.
Photos: Gerald Istia/CTC, Shendy Raiman/CTC