On August 25–27, 2025, Coral Triangle Center (CTC) facilitated a training on Basic Marine Conservation and Fisheries for local communities and the potential Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (OECM) Management Unit in Ambon, Maluku. The three-day program brought together 27 participants, including village government representatives, customary leaders, community surveillance groups (Pokmaswas), and local community members. The training aimed to strengthen participants’ knowledge and skills in marine biology and community-based area design, focusing on four key topics: coastal ecology and ecosystems, fish ecology and fisheries management, fundamentals of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and OECMs, and surveillance of marine and fisheries resources.

This initiative was designed to support the identification of potential OECM sites and the strengthening of customary governance institutions in Maluku. With support from The David and Lucile Packard Foundation, the program contributes to ongoing efforts to empower local communities and enhance capacity in managing marine and fisheries resources. Building this foundation is essential to ensure that conservation efforts are inclusive, culturally relevant, and rooted in local knowledge systems.

The training also aligns with Indonesia’s 30×45 target, which seeks to effectively protect 30% of national marine waters by 2045. This commitment will be achieved through a combination of MPA and OECM. Reaching this target requires recognizing and supporting community-based and customary conservation initiatives, including traditional practices that have long contributed to the protection of biodiversity and sustainable livelihoods.

One of these traditional practices is Sasi, which has been carried out by indigenous communities in Maluku for centuries. By temporarily limiting the use of marine resources, Sasi allows ecosystems to recover, with enforcement led by customary institutions such as Kewang and Saniri. CTC recognizes the importance of these practices and continues to promote the integration of local wisdom with modern conservation approaches, strengthening Indonesia’s pathway to achieving the 30×45 target.

Writers: Adam Putra, Kasman
Photos: Kasman/CTC, Hana Wanda/CTC