YKAN Supports Maluku Province in Strengthening Marine Conservation Based on Local Wisdom and Blue Economy

The Maluku Provincial Government, together with the Yayasan Konservasi Alam Nusantara (YKAN), is strengthening collaboration to accelerate the management of marine protected areas, community-based fisheries, coastal resilience, and the implementation of the blue economy in Maluku. This initiative was discussed during YKAN’s audience with the Regional Secretary of Maluku Province, Sadali Ie, in Ambon on 29 July 2026.

The meeting addressed the drafting of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Maluku Provincial Government and YKAN as the foundation for cooperation in managing marine protected areas, developing community-based fisheries, enhancing coastal resilience, and creating sustainable financing to support marine resource management.

This collaboration will support the protection and management of several priority areas in Maluku, including the proposed Teon, Nila, and Serua Marine Protected Area covering 683,826.89 hectares; the proposed Lucipara Islands Marine Protected Area covering 388,172.10 hectares; and the proposed Banda Sea Deep-Sea Marine Protected Area covering 11,201,775.46 hectares.

The central government oversees the Banda Sea Deep-Sea Marine Protected Area, and the people of Maluku Province rely on it to sustain fisheries resources, ecosystem services, and the economic resilience of coastal communities.

Maluku Provincial Secretary Sadali Ie stated that the Maluku Provincial Government welcomes the partnership with YKAN as part of efforts to strengthen sustainable marine governance.

“We must collaboratively manage Maluku’s vast marine potential by prioritising scientific approaches, integrating local wisdom, and ensuring coastal communities feel the benefits. We hope this partnership with YKAN further strengthens the region’s capacity to manage marine protected areas and promotes a sustainable blue economy.” Said Sadali.

Through this collaboration, both parties will develop joint management of marine protected areas, strengthen regional technical implementation units (UPTD) using the Regional Public Service Agency (BLUD) model, enhance marine protected area monitoring, build human resource capacity, and develop sustainable funding mechanisms to ensure the long-term effectiveness of marine conservation management.

The Head of the Maluku Provincial Marine and Fisheries Office, Erawan Asikin, noted that the collaboration is an opportunity to strengthen integrated marine management.

“YKAN’s experience and technical support will enhance the Maluku Provincial Government’s efforts in managing marine protected areas. This synergy is essential to improve management capacity, strengthen monitoring, and expand community involvement in protecting marine resources,” said Erawan.

YKAN Executive Director Herlina Hartanto emphasised that successful conservation efforts require strong partnerships between government bodies, local communities, and other stakeholders.

“We believe that conservation must deliver tangible benefits to communities. Therefore, YKAN is committed to supporting the Maluku Provincial Government not only through capacity building, science-based technical support, and sustainable financing, but also through community empowerment so they can actively participate in managing marine resources,” Herlina asserted.

Herlina added that Maluku plays a strategic role in preserving Indonesia’s marine biodiversity, which requires management supported by scientific data and community participation.

“Maluku has great potential to be a model for effective marine protected area management in Indonesia. YKAN’s support will focus on strengthening governance, preparing science-based management plans, enhancing the capacity of managers, and reinforcing the role of communities and local wisdom such as sasi, so that conservation goes hand in hand with coastal community welfare,” Herlina added.

The Maluku Provincial Government and YKAN are working together to make marine protected area management in Maluku a model of practice. This will integrate biodiversity protection, community welfare improvement, and sustainable blue economy development.