Buano Island, Maluku Province
Located at the corridor that connects the Seram and Banda Seas, the Buano Islands play a strategic role in protecting marine biodiversity in Maluku Province, including the large population of marine mammals that use the waters around the islands as their primary migratory route each year
The Buano Island MPA
The Buano Island MPA was declared via the MMAF Ministerial Decree No. 49 of 2021, signed on June 21, 2021. It covers an area of 31,886.86 hectares and will incorporate a zoning system to support sustainable fisheries and growth in marine tourism, while protecting endangered marine species and conserving precious marine and coastal ecosystems. As the USAID Sustainable Ecosystem Advanced (SEA) Project implementing partner, CTC is supporting the development of the Buano Islands MPA, through building up the MPA management plan, and conducting training and environmental education sessions for local communities, and increasing the capacity of local government officers to manage the area.
Community-Led Conservation
The USAID SEA Project and CTC, along with local and global partners, are also strengthening community-based sustainable marine conservation and eco-tourism projects, and advocating for positive behavioural change. Through the Pejuang Laut (Champions of the Sea) program, local leaders are being trained to promote peer-to-peer learning and community engagement to change local attitudes and build knowledge in conservation, and the benefit of long-term marine conservation goals for the community. By providing holistic, community-led projects, USAID and CTC aim to support both ecosystems and local communities to thrive.
Drop us an email to learn more about our work in Buano Islands.
Download Buano Island MPA Info Sheet. Watch a video here!
Download Buano Island MPA Info Sheet. Watch a video here!
Lease Islands, Maluku Province
The Lease Islands are one of many small archipelagos scattered across Maluku. Consisting of three prominent islands, Haruku, Saparua and Nusa Laut, these stunning islands are rich in historical and cultural value, while also being home to diverse and distinct marine life.
The Lease Islands MPA
The Lease Islands MPA was declared via the MMAF Ministerial Decree No. 47 of 2021, signed on June 21, 2021. This MPA covers 67,484.19 hectares has marine ecosystems of coral reefs, seagrass and mangroves, which support abundant marine life, including the endangered dugong. In April 2018, the USAID SEA Project, through CTC, conducted scientific surveys to build on existing data from the region and support the establishment of the MPA. CTC and USAID are now supporting the Provincial Government of Maluku, local government officers, community members and other stakeholders to continue developing the already-initiated MPA. Through facilitating new policies and programs that support marine conservation, and supporting local communities to move away from destructive fishing practices and reduce pressure on marine ecosystems, CTC and the USAID SEA Project are building up the MPA to support ecosystems and local livelihoods.
Community-Led Conservation
The USAID SEA Project and CTC, along with local and global partners, are also strengthening community-based sustainable marine conservation and eco-tourism projects, and advocating for positive behavioural change. Through the Pejuang Laut (Champions of the Sea) program, local leaders are being trained to promote peer-to-peer learning and community engagement to change local attitudes and build knowledge in conservation, and the benefit of long-term marine conservation goals for the community. By providing holistic, community-led projects, USAID and CTC aim to support both ecosystems and local communities to thrive.
Drop us an email to learn more about our work in Lease Islands.
Download Lease Island MPA Info Sheet. Watch a video here!
Download Lease Island MPA Info Sheet. Watch a video here!
Sula Islands, North Maluku Province
The little-known Sula Islands District is a piece of paradise that lies at the southwest of North Maluku Province. Established as a regency in 2003, the area consists of three inhabited islands and 21 mostly uninhabited, and unexplored, islands, and seas that are home to some of the richest marine biodiversity in eastern Indonesia.
The Sula Islands MPA
The Lease Islands MPA was declared via the MMAF Ministerial Decree No. 68 of 2020, signed on June 10, 2020, with a coverage of 120,723.88 hectares. The majority of communities in the Sula Islands rely heavily on marine resources for their livelihoods, with the waters surrounding the islands identified as high-value fishing grounds for pelagic fish and demersal fish such as tuna, skip jack, small mackerel and fusiliers found in large numbers. The local government, the USAID SEA Project, CTC, and community partners are scaling up to develop a multi-use MPA covering 120,723.88 hectares. This MPA contains a zoning system that supports sustainable fisheries and marine tourism, and protects threatened marine species and ecosystems. The USAID SEA Project and CTC will support the MPA expansion and establishment by providing scientific input, supporting the development of the zoning plan and MPA management plan, and providing training and environmental education to local communities and government officers.
The Sula Islands have also been identified as home to a dense population of sea turtles, as well as several nesting sites. The USAID SEA Project and CTC are now working to build up local capacity to survey, patrol and protect the sea turtles. These charming creatures, along with the white sandy beaches, healthy coral reefs, and abundant marine life underscores the potential for the Sula Islands to establish sustainable and eco-tourism alternative livelihoods for the islands’ inhabitants.
Community-Led Conservation
The USAID SEA Project and CTC, along with local and global partners, are also strengthening community-based sustainable marine conservation and eco-tourism projects, and advocating for positive behavioural change. Through the Pejuang Laut (Champions of the Sea) program, local leaders are being trained to promote peer-to-peer learning and community engagement to change local attitudes and build knowledge in conservation, and the benefit of long-term marine conservation goals for the community. By providing holistic, community-led projects, USAID and CTC aim to support both ecosystems and local communities to thrive.
Drop us an email to learn more about our work in Sula Islands.
Download Sula Island MPA Info Sheet. Watch a video here!
Download Sula Island MPA Info Sheet. Watch a video here!
