Coral Triangle Center (CTC) has renewed its Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Directorate General of Marine Management, Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries of the Republic Indonesia (Ditjen Pengelolaan Laut) during the closing dinner of the SOM20 Meetings and the SOMACORE Partner Meeting, which were successfully held from 8–12 December 2025 in Legian, Bali. The renewal marks an important milestone, further strengthening collaboration between CTC and the Government of Indonesia in advancing marine conservation and sustainable ocean management.

The renewed agreement was developed through a consultative process and discussions with Ditjen Pengelolaan Laut, led by Ibu Anita and her team on 11 November 2025. As part of this process, the Action Plan matrix was reformulated to better align with the agreed scope of work and ensure clearer implementation pathways. The final draft is expected to be shared for CTC’s review and approval by the end of the week, allowing the document to proceed to the Legal Bureau and the Directorate General once endorsed. The formal signing ceremony is planned to take place on 11 December 2025, on the sidelines of the SOM Meeting at Padma Resort Legian, prior to the official closing dinner.

Alongside the MoU renewal, CTC is also preparing for the conclusion of its current MoU with the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, which will end on 21 December 2025. As part of this process, CTC will submit the Final Report on the current MoU, including supporting infographics. Discussions on the MoU renewal will take into account several key considerations, including priority project locations, funding commitments, and the involvement of relevant Eselon I units such as the Directorate General of Marine Affairs and the Directorate General of Marine and Fisheries Human Capital.

Under the renewed MoU, the scope of cooperation covers a broad range of strategic areas. These include:

• support for the effective management of marine protected areas and Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (OECM), 
• conservation of rare, threatened, and protected marine species, development of sustainable marine ecotourism, 
• restoration of coastal and small island ecosystems, 
• waste management in coastal and conservation areas, 
• capacity building for human resources in marine management, and
• the publication and dissemination of marine data and information.

CTC’s role within this partnership is expected to be wide-ranging and practical. It includes supporting EVIKA and OECM assessments, initiating conservation area networks, strengthening institutional frameworks for marine protected area management, and conducting bio-physical and socio-economic monitoring. 

CTC will also continue its work on routine monitoring and data collection of rare and protected marine species, provide technical guidance to conservation area managers and fishers, support Green Fins certification and assessor development, assist community groups in managing sustainable marine ecotourism, and contribute to carrying capacity studies at marine tourism sites. 

In addition, CTC will support waste data collection and community-based waste management initiatives, deliver technical training and competency support in marine management, provide access to marine data platforms related to MPAs and OECM, and carry out community outreach activities.

Through the renewed partnership with Ditjen Pengelolaan Laut, CTC reaffirms its commitment to working closely with government partners to strengthen marine conservation efforts and ensure lasting benefits for coastal ecosystems and communities across Indonesia.

Writer: Asia Salsabilla
Photos: CTC