Riau Islands Provincial Government Accelerates Establishment of Conservation Areas in Lingga and Batam Waters

The Riau Islands Provincial Government, through the Marine and Fisheries Department (DKP) and the Conservation Area Zoning Working Group (Pokja), is continuing efforts to accelerate the establishment of marine conservation areas in Lingga and Batam waters. This initiative is technically supported by Yayasan Konservasi Alam Nusantara (YKAN) through the Koralestari Program.

Head of the Riau Islands DKP, Said Sudrajad, emphasised the importance of maintaining community participation throughout the entire designation process. He explained that during two public consultations in September and October 2025, hundreds of participants—including government representatives, academics, community organisations, religious leaders, women and youth groups, as well as resource users from all villages within the proposed conservation area—were involved. “We ensure that this zoning plan truly reflects the aspirations of coastal communities while considering ecological and socio-economic interests of the region,” he said.

Said added that the zoning plan is expected to balance ecosystem protection with coastal economic activities such as sustainable fisheries, marine tourism, and environmentally friendly sea space utilisation. Additionally, the conservation areas aim to ensure that traditional community use areas, including the fishing grounds of sea nomads, are safeguarded from overfishing, especially from the use of destructive and exploitative fishing methods such as dynamite and poison.

Lingga Regency’s Head of Fisheries Department, Sutarman, welcomed the effort to establish conservation areas in Lingga and Batam waters. He stated that this designation is a crucial step towards better marine management. “Community involvement is critical in determining the direction of conservation area management. With the support of scientific data and technical assistance from multiple parties, we are optimistic that this conservation area will become a model for effective marine management,” said Sutarman.

Support from local communities was also evident. Marjono, the Village Head of Mamut in Senayang, Lingga, stated that residents had played an active role in drafting the proposed zoning, particularly after understanding the long-term benefits of marine conservation.

“Fishermen rely on the sea for their livelihood. If fish spawning and nursery habitats such as coral reefs, seagrass beds, and mangroves are damaged, our catches will decline. We hope this zoning truly becomes a fish bank for the conservation area, ensuring fish availability for our children and grandchildren in the future. We also plan to learn from the communities in Raja Ampat, who have successfully managed their conservation areas and reaped real benefits,” he said.

Weaving Sustainability

This public consultation reflects the implementation of the Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries Decree No. 31 of 2020, which targets the establishment of conservation areas protecting at least 10 per cent of key ecosystems and habitats, including coral reefs, seagrass beds, and mangroves. 

The results from the second public consultation showed that community proposals for core zones already cover the protection of about 14 per cent of coral reef ecosystems and 12 per cent of seagrass beds in Lingga and Batam waters—surpassing the minimum target and aligning with sustainable management principles.

Yusuf Fajariyanto, Senior Manager of Marine Protection at YKAN, emphasised that YKAN’s support focuses on strengthening ocean governance based on science, partnerships, and community welfare. “We assist local governments with ecosystem data, participatory mapping, and capacity-building for conservation area management. Conservation area design must be evidence-based and involve the community,” he stated.

Yusuf emphasised that the initiative to establish conservation areas in Lingga and Batam is about more than just protecting marine life. It aims to forge a sustainable blue economy, where nature conservation seamlessly integrates with enhancing the well-being of coastal communities.

The feedback collected from the two public consultations will serve as the foundation for the Governor of the Riau Islands to submit the proposed Lingga and Batam conservation areas to the Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries for formal designation. Once the conservation areas are established, management plans will be developed concurrently.

The process of establishing conservation areas goes beyond mere paperwork; it serves as a tangible embodiment of cross-sector collaboration. Local governments, coastal communities, and development partners unite under a shared vision: to ensure the Riau Islands’ seas remain productive, healthy, and advantageous for future generations.

About Koralestari

Koralestari aims to address funding gaps related to coral reef conservation and restoration through innovative financing schemes and investments in reef-friendly enterprises. These solutions cover blue carbon, coral reef insurance, self-financing marine conservation areas via BLUD, sustainable commodity development, and community-based funding facilities. This program will run from 2024 to 2029 in the Sawu Sea (East Nusa Tenggara), Berau (East Kalimantan), and Lingga (Riau Islands).