Participatory Process Forms the Basis for Establishing the Teon, Nila, and Serua Marine Protected Area

The Maluku Provincial Government, through the Provincial Marine and Fisheries Office, along with the Working Group (Pokja) and Yayasan Konservasi Alam Nusantara (YKAN), has conducted a series of Public Consultations I and II for drafting the Zoning Plan for the Teon, Nila, and Serua Marine Protected Area (TNS MPA) in Central Maluku Regency.

A public consultation was held in the Nila and Serua Islands from 8 to 15 November 2025, and in Teon Island from 12 to 21 January 2026. A separate session was held in Waipia, Teon Nila Serua (TNS) Subdistrict, from January 20 to 24, 2026. The primary objective of Public Consultation I was to gather input, feedback, and suggestions for improvement from village-level stakeholders, particularly local resource users. It also included updates on supporting data and information for area management, covering biophysical, socio-economic, coastal resilience, and sustainable fisheries aspects.

The process continued with Public Consultation II, held on 27–28 February 2026. The district-level Public Consultation II took place at the Central Maluku Regent's Office, while the consultation for stakeholders and resource users was conducted in Waipia, TNS District.

This second stage focused on confirming and updating the zoning draft based on the results of Public Consultation I, while also building consensus among stakeholders at the district level and resource users in TNS.

The Central Maluku Regent, Zulkarnain Awat Amir, affirmed that the local government wholeheartedly supports the participatory and data-driven approach in developing the marine protected area. He stated that the TNS MPA zoning plan should be managed fairly and inclusively, not only to protect marine ecosystems but also to ensure the sustainability of fisheries to support food security and coastal economies.  

“This conservation effort is not about restricting access, but rather about regulating and protecting resources so that fisheries remain sustainable for future generations, in line with the principles of sustainability,” he said during the district-level Public Consultation II.

Maluku Provincial Marine and Fisheries Office Head, Erawan Asikin, explained that public consultations serve as both a regulatory requirement and a means to mitigate potential conflicts in marine spatial use. He emphasized the significance of the TNS MPA design as a remarkable strategic initiative, noting that it will encompass an impressive area of 683,826.89 hectares, making it the largest marine protected area in Maluku Province.

“The updated zoning plan results from integrating scientific data with community input. Through Public Consultation II, we reconfirmed every adjustment to ensure alignment with both conservation objectives and resource-user needs,” he noted.  

Erawan added, “We appreciate YKAN’s technical support in expediting the TNS MPA designation. This data-driven and community-based collaboration is crucial for protecting marine biodiversity while ensuring the sustainability of local economies.”

The outcomes of the public consultations will form the basis for refining the draft document before it is submitted for formal designation under applicable regulations. The Maluku Provincial Government aims for the TNS MPA to be officially designated as part of the regional contribution to the national target of protecting 30% of marine areas—approximately 97.5 million hectares—by 2045.

TNS Subdistrict Head Ronald Wonmaly stressed the importance of involving customary communities, traditional sea-right holders, and village representatives in building social legitimacy for the Marine Protected Area (MPA). He explained that participatory processes foster a sense of ownership and ensure that the conservation plan aligns with the local needs and priorities of the communities.

“Community participation in zoning discussions, signing meeting minutes, and engaging in Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) protocols reflects the transparency of this process. We hope that the designated MPA will truly become a shared agreement,” he said.

Similarly, Natanel Tuakora, Head of Sifluru Village and Chair of the TNS Latupati Council, expressed his hope that the marine conservation planning for Teon, Nila, and Serua will contribute positively to environmental preservation and improve community welfare.

“We hope that the conservation area planning in the waters of Teon, Nila, and Serua will provide a positive contribution, both for environmental preservation and community welfare. We want this area not only to be protected, but also to remain a living space that supports livelihoods and the future of our generations,” said Natanel.

YKAN’s Commitment to Community-Based Conservation  

As a government development partner, YKAN supports the process through scientific approaches, community participation facilitation, and institutional capacity building. In the context of the TNS MPA, all planning processes were conducted in collaboration with the Maluku Provincial Marine and Fisheries Office and the Working Group. However, the ultimate governance authority remained with the government and the communities.

Muhammad Ilman, Ocean Program Director of YKAN, emphasized that while YKAN provides technical and scientific support, the final decision-making authority rests with the government and local communities.  He explained that the ecological potential of TNS waters is vast, but management must reflect local community needs and regional development priorities.  

“We support the Working Group with technical analysis, discussion facilitation, and capacity building. Public Consultation I focused on gathering input and updating data, while Public Consultation II ensured that all zoning updates were reconfirmed and jointly agreed upon,” he noted.

With the completion of the public consultation series, the TNS MPA planning process now enters the final technical documentation stage before submission for formal designation. This close collaboration between the government, Working Group, local communities, and YKAN is expected to result in a marine protected area that safeguards critical ecosystems and biodiversity while strengthening the socio-economic resilience of coastal communities in the Banda Sea.