Synergies from the Bird's Head Seascape for Sustainable Indonesia

Yayasan Konservasi Alam Nusantara (YKAN), together with the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) and the Provincial Government of Papua Barat Daya held a Blue Action Fund Learning Workshop in Jakarta on Tuesday, March 18, 2025. This event was a continuation of a similar activity held in Sorong City on March 6, 2025, involving stakeholders, namely government, academics, NGOs, representatives of traditional leaders, representatives of community leaders, women leaders, youth, community economic groups, and fishermen.

With funding support from the Blue Action Fund, since 2020 YKAN and its partners have been implementing conservation programs in the Bird's Head Seascape, Southwest Papua Province through three main strategies: supporting the establishment and strengthening of marine protected areas and assisting Indigenous Peoples (MHA), community-based fisheries management, and improving community livelihoods. The program is implemented in Raja Ampat Regency, Sorong Regency, and Tambrauw Regency.

"We all know that the Bird's Head Seascape of Papua, also known as the Center of the World's Coral Triangle, has very high marine wealth. This region is also a source of livelihood for the community. Because of the importance of this region for life, its natural potential needs to be protected and preserved so that it can provide sustainable benefits," explained Southwest Papua Governor Elisa Kambu on the occasion. 

Elisa continued that in its implementation, the Southwest Papua Provincial Government cannot work alone and needs support from the central government and regional development partners. "YKAN is one of the development partners that has always actively supported the strategic programs launched by the Southwest Papua Provincial Government, especially those related to conservation and sustainable management of biological resources," Elisa added.

"In this Blue Action Fund program context, we see that YKAN has made efforts or actions at the site level. The Bird's Head Seascape is one of the priority areas. The interaction between the community and its marine natural resources is also very high. Hence, the activities in the Blue Action Fund program are very strategic and very important to translate what has been designed at the national level, then implemented at the site level, by integrating economic, social, biodiversity, climate change, fisheries and governance issues," explained the Director of Ecosystem and Aquatic Biota Conservation, Directorate General of Marine and Marine Spatial Management, Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (DJPRL KKP), Firdaus Agung.

Sustainable synergy

The five-year journey of the Blue Action Fund program is certainly not free from challenges. Good synergy from the parties is the key to overcoming challenges and producing achievements and learning that provide comprehensive benefits. This also supports the KKP Strategic Program and the vision and mission of the Southwest Papua Provincial Government. 

Some things that can be noted are supporting the process of establishing a conservation area in the waters of North Misool, Raja Ampat Regency, covering an area of 308,692 hectares, which has been determined through the Decree of the Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Number 191 of 2023. Currently, the establishment of the Maksegara Marine Protected Area covering areas in Sorong Regency and Tambrauw Regency is also in process. 

In terms of assistance to Customary Law Communities (MHA), the capacity of their managers has also been improved, especially the Werur MHA in Tambrauw Regency and the Moi Malaumkarta MHA in Sorong Regency. "We thank YKAN for assisting us, the managers of Werur Indigenous Community, in the sustainable management of marine resources. We hope that the sea can be preserved and the benefits can be felt for generations," said Werur MHA Chairman Junus Rumansara.

Regarding sustainable livelihoods, through the Blue Action Fund program, YKAN and its partners have strengthened 69 economic groups, including women's groups. These groups assist in the sustainable utilization of local natural resources to produce products of economic value. To support this, the Kios Konservasi has been launched in Sorong City as a marketing center for these products.  

"We, the women's group in Malaumkarta, feel helped by the activities carried out by YKAN here. Not only in the production aspect, but we also assist with financial management and marketing," said Regina Mobalen, from a women's group in Malaumkarta Village, Makbon District, Sorong Regency.

Assistance is also provided to fishermen to support a sustainable fisheries sector. This includes integrating aspects of science and technology. The direct involvement of fishermen in fisheries management efforts can provide a better understanding of the importance of preserving fisheries' resources and habitats.

"With this program, we can find out the types of catch and the average catch we get. In addition, we also gained knowledge about the importance of sustainable fisheries management. As fishermen, we realize that our lives depend on the sea," said Otis Fatot, a YKAN fisherman partner in Salafen Village, North Misool District, Raja Ampat Regency.

"As development partners, we are ready to support sustainable development efforts in Southwest Papua Province so that the region, which is blessed with such abundant natural resources, can benefit for generations to come. In implementing this Blue Action Fund program, we are grateful that there is extraordinary enthusiasm and cooperation from many parties so that we find solutions to overcome challenges, and we can be grateful for the achievements of all our hard work. We need to draw lessons, interpret and study them, then be able to disseminate the results so that many parties in other places can utilize them," concluded YKAN Executive Director Herlina Hartanto.