Seaweed Farming Supports Coastal Preservation of the Sawu Sea National Park

Yayasan Konservasi Alam Nusantara (YKAN) partners with local government, marine protection managers and other stakeholders to build the capacity of marine area management in the Sawu Sea National Marine Park of East Nusa Tenggara Province. The park’s 3.35 million hectares make it the largest marine protected area in the World Coral Triangle Region.

Read: Indigenous People Advancing Conservation

The Savu Sea is critical to the development of East Nusa Tenggara, with most of the province’s districts and cities dependent in varying degrees and ways on its natural resources. According to the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, the Savu Sea has the potential to provide more than 65% of the province’s sustainable fish resources. Additionally, East Nusa Tenggara’s healthy water and coastal conditions make it one of Indonesia’s largest seaweed producers.

Through its Marine Conservation program, YKAN supports government efforts to manage the Sawu Sea National Marine Park and its related economic benefits for people across the region. One example of the Marine Conservation program’s support in recent years is YKAN’s efforts to strengthen the capacity of seaweed farmers, especially in Kupang and the regencies of Rote-Ndao and Sabu Raijua. These programs engage communities in activities to develop alternative and environmentally friendly livelihoods, including seaweed cultivation.

Mentoring and strengthening the insight and capacity of individuals and groups has led to a gradual change in the operation of seaweed cultivation businesses and the implementation of more environmentally friendly infrastructure. YKAN’s latest collaborative achievement involved seven groups of seaweed farmers in Sabu Raijua Regency, comprising 112 members, implementing a range of practices in 2023 that support sustainable seaweed cultivation.

The greatest asset for ensuring the long-term success of a water conservation program is community participation. YKAN will continue striving for a balance between nature and people through innovative programs and solutions that conserve nature and ensure community welfare.