Managing small islands in Indonesia – a success story from Kofiau MPA, West Papua.

Joanne Wilson, Sangeeta Mangubhai, Lukas Rumetna, Karel Wamafma

Photo by Jeff Yonover

Coral Triangle

• Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Timor Leste, PNG, Solomon Islands

• Coral Triangle Initiative – Coral Reefs, Fisheries and Food Security

• Challenges – 250 million people rely on marine resources

• Management capacity low• High rates of poverty• 95% reefs threatened – local threats • 3% MPAs effectively managed

Photo by Jeff Yonover

THE BIRD’S HEAD SEASCAPE

Raja Ampat MPA Network

• Raja Ampat >1 million ha MPAs• MPAs administered by Raja

Ampat Regency and Central Govt• Mulitple use MPAs• TNC and CI supporting since

2005

Hasil Survey

People of Kofiau

• 5 small villages• Copra (coconut),

gardens• Fishing• Pearl farm• Traditional tenure

Photo by Joanne Wilson

Planning for people and nature

• TNC / CI supporting development of management plan for Raja Ampat MPA network – zoning for land and sea

• Main ‘conservation targets’:– Sustainable gardens/fisheries for local people– Coral reefs / large marine fauna– Primary forest and native wildlife

• Main threats:– Illegal and destructive fishing – mostly ‘outsiders’– Clearing for agriculture

• Opportunities– MPA management / strengthen ‘Sasi’– Increasing tourism

Terrestrial planning

• Bird surveys – 78 species including 5 endemics (Diamond et al. 2009)

• Primary and secondary forest• Surveys by TNC with Regency Dept.

Protected Forests• Currently developing spatial plan to

identify areas for protected forest and agriculture

Photo by Joanne Wilson

Marine zoning

• Focussed around coral reefs, critical habitats and sustainable fisheries

• Surveys of ecosystems, uses and tenure – underwater, boat, aerial surveys, participatory mapping

• Zoning plan for Kofiau MPA

Photo by Jeff Yonover

MPA zoning - science

• GIS database of all information• Systematic conservation planning tool

(Marzone) which simultaneously identified areas for conservation and local fisheries

• Incorporated results of resilience assessements which identified which areas might best survive or recover from coral bleaching

Preliminary identification of

no-take zones for Kofiau

Marine zoning – community and

stakeholder consultation • Participatory

mapping – fishing grounds, important areas for conservation

• Feedback on zoning designs

• Agreement on final design

Community patrols

Illegal fishers

• Patrol post on outer islands – funded by Tourism entrance fee

• Local communities work with police • Speedboat provided and maintained

by TNC• Adat and Head of District agreed to

patrol system• Deter illegals but moving to

prosecution• Bomb fishers caught last Sunday

Success?

• Traditional leaders and government agencies working together

• MPA design based on latest science

• Emphasis on protecting livelihoods and nature

• Ongoing challenges but sign of strong foundation

Photo by Jeff Yonover

Raja Ampat GovernmentLocal communities in KofiauKofiau village community organizers Conservation InternationalUniversity of Queensland

Walton Family FoundationDavid and Lucile Packard

FoundationUSAID

Private donors