Indonesia Becomes a Model for Marine Conservation Technology Development through the Global Ocean Innovation Challenge

The inaugural Global Ocean Innovation Challenge workshop, held from 27–29 October 2025 in Bali, marked a significant milestone in advancing ocean innovation in Indonesia. Organized by The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and Yayasan Konservasi Alam Nusantara (YKAN), the event brought together government agencies, NGOs, startups, coastal communities, and private sector partners to co-design technological solutions for effective marine protected area and sustainable fisheries management.

The Global Ocean Innovation Challenge is a global initiative that aims to stimulate ideas from innovators to design technologies that bridge critical information gaps impeding marine conservation. Launched in the Asia Pacific region in mid 2025, Indonesia was selected as the first testbed for this initiative. The country lies at the heart of the Coral Triangle, home to more than 75% of the world’s coral species and a vital source of food for millions of people.

This initiative represents a new era of cross sector collaboration to tackle ocean conservation challenges through innovative, technology-based solutions. With its vast marine biodiversity and national commitment to protect 97.5 million hectares of marine areas by 2045, Indonesia provides an ideal foundation for pilot projects that integrate science, technology, and local wisdom.

Firdaus Agung, Director of Ecosystem Conservation at the Directorate General of Ocean Management, Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (MMAF), expressed his support for the Challenge, emphasizing the importance of bridging policy and on-the-ground implementation.

“The Global Ocean Innovation Challenge demonstrates how technology can strengthen the effectiveness of marine protected area management, aligning with our 30x45 vision. It is a crucial step toward achieving the national target of protecting 97.5 million hectares of ocean by 2045,” he said.

The Challenge seeks to accelerate the scale and impact of marine conservation solutions that address issues such as overfishing, data scarcity, habitat degradation, and declining coastal resilience. By integrating technology, it aims to close data gaps and enhance monitoring and enforcement capacity, particularly in marine protected areas and small-scale fisheries.

The program consists of three phases. The first phase, running through mid-2026, focuses on identifying key challenges, selecting technologies, and implementing pilot projects in Indonesia. The second phase, beginning in late 2026, will replicate successful solutions across other Asia Pacific sites, improving the effectiveness of marine protected area management and sustainable fisheries operations. The third phase will build upon these results to develop globally scalable solutions and open commercial pathways for selected technologies.

Amehr Hakim, Director of Marine Spatial Planning Development at the Directorate General of Marine Spatial Planning, MMAF, highlighted that one of the key priorities of the Global Ocean Innovation Challenge is the deep alignment with Indonesia’s Ocean Monitoring System, which is being developed to strengthen the country’s capacity for ecosystem observation.

Amehr emphasized the strategic importance of this technological shift.

“An integrated ocean monitoring system will form the foundation for data-driven marine conservation management. The technologies developed must align and integrate with MMAF’s national Ocean Monitoring System (OMS) and the Ocean Big Data platform. We are open to innovations such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), and Digital Twin applications to enhance management effectiveness in Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and Fisheries Management Areas (WPPNRI). This holistic approach directly supports our 30x45 vision for healthy and productive oceans,” Amehr explained.

Recognizing the significant investment required for technology adoption and replication, Amehr further noted that sustaining these innovations requires a dedicated cross-sectoral financing strategy.

“Technological development is only sustainable if supported by predictable and diverse funding sources. In addition to securing national (APBN) and provincial (APBD) budgets, especially for the operational costs of local monitoring infrastructure, this collaboration also welcomes funding support from the Indonesia Environment Fund (BPDLH), civil society organizations, the private sector, and impact investors. Such financial synergy is essential to ensure that the innovations developed can be implemented effectively and deliver tangible impact,” he added.

Toward Implementation and Tangible Impact

During the Bali workshop, participants collaborated to identify major challenges in marine protected area management and small-scale fisheries. They also explored and formulated potential innovative solutions.

“Through the Global Ocean Innovation Challenge, we aim to accelerate the adoption of technologies  address the ocean’s most urgent challenges. Indonesia is the ideal place to start, as innovation here directly  with the daily realities of coastal communities living alongside the sea. From here, we hope to inspire conservation models that resonate across the world,” said Tamara Singh, Senior Advisor, Regional Programmes of TNC.

By the end of the workshop, participants had roadmap for innovative solutions in early 2026, with Indonesia serving as the first demonstration site in the Asia Pacific region. TNC and YKAN will consolidate the proposed concepts and work closely with MMAF to align them with national priorities and government programs.

Muhammad Ilman, Ocean Program Director of YKAN, emphasized the importance of balancing technology, policy, and community empowerment.

“The Global Ocean Innovation Challenge is a collaborative space that ensures technological innovations are aligned with social and ecological needs. When coastal communities, government, and innovators come together, we create solutions that are not only advanced but also grounded in local realities,” he said.

With its cross-sector, needs-based approach, the Global Ocean Innovation Challenge sets a new model for collaboration between technology and conservation, positioning Indonesia as an inspiration for the world.