ecology foundation/03-09-2023

Coral reef ecosystems, seagrass beds, and mangrove forests are among the most important and productive ecosystems in the world. Even though the development, over-exploitation, fishing practices, and climate change threaten this important habitat. The United States government and Indonesian government have formed a partnership to protect Indonesia's marine biodiversity by improving the management, functions, and benefits of Marine Protected Areas through the USAID Kolektif (Effective Marine Conservation) program. The Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries is targeting to increase the management of 20 million hectares of existing MPA in 2024 and 32.5 million hectares in 2030.

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On 7-9 March 2023, YEKR had the opportunity to take part in a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) by USAID Kolektif which was implemented by KEHATI and YKAN Foundation at the CK Convention and Hotel Tanjungpinang as well as field visits to several target villages, Mapur Village and Pengudang Village in Bintan Regency. Several stakeholders involved in this activity include government agencies at the ministry, provincial and district levels, the tourism sector, local NGOs, academics, and fisheries business actors.

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This program aims to strengthen the protection of marine biodiversity by increasing the effectiveness of MPA management. To achieve this goal, USAID Kolektif focuses on supporting the management of MPAs by:

1. Strengthening human resources and institutional arrangements for the management of MPAs ;

2. Establishing sustainable financing for MPAs ;

3. Increasing benefits for coastal communities through sustainable use of natural resources;

4. Strengthening compliance with rules and regulations in the MPAs, and;

5. Increasing the protection of marine species that are endangered and protected by law and priority habitats.

In five years, USAID Kolektif will work in five provinces in Indonesia covering 13 MPAs in the Fishery Management Areas of WPP 711 and 715 with a total area of five million hectares, where 3 MPAs in Riau Islands Province will be the program locations, namely Anambas MPA, TWP Timur Pulau Bintan, and Tambelan MPA.

The expected results of this program are:

a. Improving the effectiveness of national and provincial MPA management that is managed in a sustainable way;

b. Reduction of trigger factors and direct pressure on biodiversity conservation;

c. Improvement of community welfare and conservation of marine biodiversity in the target area.

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