USAID SEA Project MPA Factsheet/MAR 2019

Indonesia is home to 76% of the world's coral reef species and 37% of the world's coral reef fish species, making it a critical location for marine biodiversity. The country's marine ecosystems provide a buffer for food security and are recognized as a globally valuable resource for future marine pharmaceutical and industrial uses. Indonesia ranks as the second largest producer of marine captured fisheries in the world, producing 5.4 million tons of fish in 2012. To sustain or increase this level of fish production, national and local levels of government, universities, private sector, and communities must work together to increase ecosystem-based management of fisheries, particularly in biologically significant marine areas. The Government of Indonesia has committed to conservation and ecosystem-based management of 20 million hectares of Indonesian waters through the establishment, development, and effective management of MPAs by 2020. The USAID SEA Project aims to support the development of more than 1 million hectares of new MPAs under effective management, policies that support marine conservation, and a reduction in destructive practices and other pressures on the marine ecosystem. The project works in 10 districts within three target provinces and supports 12 provincial-reserved MPAs and 3 new proposed MPAs. Each MPA design will be drafted or reviewed using the best available science, and these designs will be incorporated into MPA zoning and management plans through a collaborative process. The management effectiveness of MPAs in Indonesia is evaluated using a ranking system that considers legal status, establishment and implementation of zoning and management plans, human resources, infrastructure, and programs. The project will support local governments to develop their MPAs and will also support additional activities in various sites as feasible. The project's MPA roadmap outlines the proposed timeline to achieve advanced status in MPAs, including conducting carrying capacity studies, economic feasibility studies, and strengthening MPA policy frameworks. The USAID SEA Project will also support the development of community benefits, build capacity for MPA and network design, develop institutional networks, and develop and institutionalize ecotourism training. Additionally, the project will support the development of sustainable and eco-marine tourism, which could provide financing and conservation programs for MPAs. The project's activities are designed to support the effective management of MPAs and promote the conservation of Indonesia's marine biodiversity.