Supporting the Community Economy While Preserving Coastal Areas

By 2024, YKAN has assisted 38 business groups from 14 coastal villages in Wakatobi, Berau, Southwest Papua, and the Sawu Sea National Marine Park. These four locations are part of the Marine Protected Area in Indonesia. The biodiversity of these coastal areas is very high and has high ecological and economic values. Community participation in managing the MPA is an important factor. By strengthening a sustainable nature-based economy, it is hoped that the coastal areas will also be well maintained. The assisted groups have been able to process and produce value-added fishery products such as fish chips, seaweed chips, and fish floss, with access to local markets at the village and sub-district levels. Some of them have been able to sell products to the city through souvenir shops and online.

These sustainable livelihoods through a community-based initiative model are part of a joint agreement between YKAN and the community. This joint effort still needs to be improved to ensure the sustainability of benefits obtained by both the community and nature. With support from various parties, including local governments and the private sector, YKAN is committed to continuing to prioritize the development of blue economy principles as a strategic part of the implementation of its ocean conservation program.