A New Hope from the Bird’s Head Seascape: Maksegara Officially Designated as a Marine Protected Area
At the northwestern tip of Papua, the waters connecting Makbon, Selemkai, Mega, and Moraid hold extraordinary natural wealth. Healthy coral reefs, extensive seagrass meadows, and the presence of sea turtles and dugongs make this area a vital habitat for marine life and an important source of livelihoods for coastal communities.
Read: A New Chapter for Marine Conservation in Maluku
Today, the area known as Maksegara enters a new chapter in its conservation journey. Through Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries Decree No. 68 of 2026 issued on September 2, 2026 the Government of Indonesia has officially designated the waters of Makbon, Selemkai, Mega, and Moraid in Sorong and Tambrauw Regencies, Southwest Papua, as a Marine Protected Area covering 162,874.03 hectares.
This designation is more than an addition to Indonesia’s network of marine protected areas. It represents a concrete step toward ensuring that the ocean continues to provide benefits for communities, both now and in the future. With effective management, marine ecosystems can remain healthy while sustainable fisheries and tourism continue to thrive in balance.
For Indonesia, Maksegara also contributes to a broader national commitment. The area supports the country’s target of protecting 30 percent of its marine waters by 2045 and contributes to global efforts to conserve marine biodiversity. Yet the success of conservation is not measured solely by the size of protected areas. Equally important is ensuring that these areas are managed effectively through planning, monitoring, enforcement, and the active involvement of communities that depend on and live alongside the sea.
Behind the designation of this protected area lies a long process grounded in science, local knowledge, and collaboration. Biophysical information was integrated with socioeconomic considerations and local cultural values in developing the area’s zoning plan. Through a series of public consultations in Makbon, Selemkai, Mega and Moraid Districts, hundreds of marine resource users, Indigenous Peoples, women, youth, community leaders, and customary institutions contributed their perspectives and aspirations.
Throughout this process, Yayasan Konservasi Alam Nusantara (YKAN) served as a key development partner, supporting both government and communities through technical and scientific assistance, facilitation of public consultations, and efforts to strengthen community participation in conservation planning. This support helped ensure that conservation measures not only safeguard marine biodiversity but also align with the needs and aspirations of the people whose livelihoods depend on the sea.
Ultimately, Maksegara is more than a protected area. It is a shared commitment among government, communities, and partners to safeguard the rich marine heritage of Papua’s Bird’s Head Seascape. It marks an important step toward ensuring that coral reefs continue to flourish, sea turtles and dugongs thrive in their natural habitats, and coastal communities can benefit from healthy and productive oceans for generations to come.
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