Nusa Penida – A Tropical Marine Paradise
The beautiful islands off the east coast of Bali, with their rugged shorelines and abundance of marine life, are growing in popularity with travellers from across the world. The islands are a reef lover’s paradise: home to healthy reefs, manta rays, sunfish and sea turtles. The Nusa Penida MPA protects some of the most diverse coastal and marine ecosystems in the world. It was established to conserve the islands’ ecosystems and sustain the community, while allowing for the development of the islands’ economy.
The Nusa Penida MPA
The MPA is located off the southeast coast of Bali, covering an area of 20,057 hectares, and surrounds a group of three islands: Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan. The area is home to 296 species of coral and 576 species of reef fish. It is one of the best places in the world to swim with manta rays, with a large population frequenting the reefs.
The Nusa Penida MPA was established in 2010 through the commitment of the Klungkung District Government, with support from the CTC and wider partners. In 2018, the Nusa Penida MPA was placed under the jurisdiction of the Bali Province Government consequently placing the Nusa Penida Management Unit under its wing. The Nusa Penida MPA Management Unit is directly responsible for the overall management of the protected area, and implements the MPA zoning system and overall 20 year management plan.
The Nusa Penida MPA Zoning System
The Nusa Penida MPA zoning plan consists of four zones with seven sub-zones: core zone, traditional fisheries zone, marine tourism zone, sacred zone, special marine tourism zone, seaweed farming zone and harbor zone. This zoning plan has been specifically designed to incorporate local knowledge and traditions, including the sacred zone to respect local religious sites and customs.
CTC has been supporting the development of the MPA since 2008, when the area was recognized as a critical zone for marine biodiversity and as a site with a high livelihood dependence on marine resources. Â CTC played an instrumental role in the development of its zoning system and management plan in collaboration with all stakeholders. To date CTC, supports the Nusa Penida MPA Management Unit by conducting annual reef health and resource use monitoring, supporting regular patrols, and building the capacity of the management unit personnel.
Nusa Penida MPA Zoning Map High-Resolution can be downloaded from here
2008
TNC invited by Klungkung District Government to support development of Nusa Penida MPA. Baseline data gathered and preliminary socialization undertaken with communities regarding the establishment of an MPA.
2009
Nusa Penida Task Force established. Stakeholders engaged and supportive. Community center established. Mangrove seed bank and rehabilitation program initiated. Coral rehabilitation program initiated. Ecological monitoring protocol for MPA developed, and annual surveying system established.
2010
Klungkung District Government formalize establishment of Nusa Penida MPA through District Executive Decree No.12/2010 with a total area of 20,057 hectares. CTC replaces TNC in facilitating the Nusa Penida MPA establishment process.
2011
Zoning plan design is undertaken and finalized with support and engagement of key stakeholders. Draft structure of the future Management Unit for the MPA is developed. Willingness to pay (WTP) study is undertaken to inform and guide future sustainable financing design for MPA. Monthly Resource Use Monitoring (RUM) surveys are initiated.
2012
Management Unit for Nusa Penida MPA is established. District regulations are drafted and submitted to district parliament for review and approval in relation to a tourism entrance fee system for the MPA as a mechanism for sustainable financing. 20 year management plan is finalized and published.
2013
Nusa Penida MPA team completes and submits all documents and requirements for declaration of the MPA at the higher Ministerial level. Management Unit is formalized through District decree (30/2013). Management plan is endorsed by District decree (137/2013). Planned sustainable financing system is endorsed by District decree (3/2013). Nusa Penida is awarded for MPA management effectiveness by the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, and announces Nusa Penida as a ‘Blue Economy’ site.
2014
The Nusa Penida MPA plans to obtain national recognition under a ministerial decree.
2008
TNC invited by Klungkung District Government to support development of Nusa Penida MPA. Baseline data gathered and preliminary socialization undertaken with communities regarding the establishment of an MPA.
2009
Nusa Penida Task Force established. Stakeholders engaged and supportive. Community center established. Mangrove seed bank and rehabilitation program initiated. Coral rehabilitation program initiated. Ecological monitoring protocol for MPA developed, and annual surveying system established.
2010
Klungkung District Government formalize establishment of Nusa Penida MPA through District Executive Decree No.12/2010 with a total area of 20,057 hectares. CTC replaces TNC in facilitating the Nusa Penida MPA establishment process.
2011
Zoning plan design is undertaken and finalized with support and engagement of key stakeholders. Draft structure of the future Management Unit for the MPA is developed. Willingness to pay (WTP) study is undertaken to inform and guide future sustainable financing design for MPA. Monthly Resource Use Monitoring (RUM) surveys are initiated.
2012
Management Unit for Nusa Penida MPA is established. District regulations are drafted and submitted to district parliament for review and approval in relation to a tourism entrance fee system for the MPA as a mechanism for sustainable financing. 20 year management plan is finalized and published.
2013
Nusa Penida MPA team completes and submits all documents and requirements for declaration of the MPA at the higher Ministerial level. Management Unit is formalized through District decree (30/2013). Management plan is endorsed by District decree (137/2013). Planned sustainable financing system is endorsed by District decree (3/2013). Nusa Penida is awarded for MPA management effectiveness by the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, and announces Nusa Penida as a ‘Blue Economy’ site.
2014
The Nusa Penida MPA plans to obtain national recognition under a ministerial decree.
Reef Health Monitoring
Nusa Penida MPA’s marine ecosystem are surveyed annually, with support from partners such as CTC, the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, and the private sector, to assess conservation results of management interventions, and to inform and support adaptive and responsive management processes. Surveys are also conducted to assess community perceptions, levels of engagement and to capture any concerns and questions, with informal regular community meetings held between times to ensure continued stakeholder input and the sharing of information.
Community Conservation Projects
Local communities are gaining direct benefits from the protection of marine habitats and biodiversity through revenue generated by tourism. CTC trained local community group Surya Mandiri on the basic principles of MPA management, how to identify mangrove species, and how to conduct mangrove tours. During the high season, approximately 600 tourists join the community-based mangrove tours every month. The commitment has been so great that through community interest the size of the protected mangrove area was increased by almost 30 hectares. CTC also works with another community group, Satya Posana Nusa, to manage a mangrove seedling back which has resulted in the transplantation of 10,000 mangrove trees across the MPA. We also work with Nuansa Pulau Community Group to Manage a coral restoration site in Ped Village, Nusa Penida.
Learn more and download the mangrove forest brochure here and the coral restoration program here.
Learn more and download the mangrove forest brochure here and the coral restoration program here.
Sustainable Marine Tourism
Working with marine tourism businesses, CTC aims to raise awareness and adherence to best practices that reduce tourism’s negative impact on the environment. CTC does this by working with various tourism operators, such as the Lembongan Marine Association, in promoting and raising awareness on the the Nusa Penida MPA Zoning System as well as the Sunfish and Manta Ray Interaction Code of Conducts. CTC also runs the Green Fins program, an international set of standards set by UN Environment, that provides a set of guidance and practical management approach that scuba diving and snorkelling operators can use. Download the Mola Code of Conduct here.
Private Sector Partnership
As part of its community education program, CTC collaborates with businesses in the Lembongan Village head, and local schools, to celebrate Earth Day every year. This awareness rising event includes beach cleanups, cultural performances, fun learning, art and craft activities, to educate students on the threats to marine environments. Through art and cultural traditions, such as the Wayang Samudra and trash art competitions, local youth can better engage with marine conservation efforts.
Nusa Penida as a Field Learning Site
CTC recognises the importance of developing and supporting MPAs that serve as living laboratories to learn marine conservation on the ground. These MPAs are on-site training platforms for managers and practitioners, government officials, community groups, scientists, students, and NGOs to gain hands-on experience, and to enable learning exchanges in the Coral Triangle and beyond. Through CTC’s portfolio of MPA learning sites, stakeholders can learn from a broad spectrum of MPAs with different ecological, economic, social, and geopolitical characteristics.
The steps involved in designing and developing the various elements of MPA management for Nusa Penida have provided considerable lessons learned and it is these lessons, systems, insights and experiences that provide a rich resource for marine conservation practitioners around the world.
Since 2008, CTC’s Nusa Penida Program has been supported by various donors such as The Nature Conservancy, USAID, Margaret A. Cargill Philiantrophies, Give2Asia, SymAsia, the Australian Government, and Hard Rock Hotel Bali.
Drop us an email to join our fun learning trip to Nusa Penida MPA!
Download Nusa Penida MPA Info Sheet. Watch a video here!
Download Nusa Penida MPA Info Sheet. Watch a video here!
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