Strategic steps to strengthen conservation governance while improving the coastal community’s economy have begun in the villages around Jeen Womom Marine Park, Tambrauw Regency. On September 27, 2025, the Provincial Office of Livestock, Agriculture, and Food Security (DP2KP) of Southwest Papua, together with the GEF 6 CFI Indonesia team, conducted a field visit that resulted in several key agreements, including the schedule for the Governor’s Regulation (Pergub) dissemination and the launch of local economic empowerment programs.

Preparation of the Jeen Womon Marine Park Conservation Effectiveness Survey Team, Tambrauw Regency, accompanied by the GEF 6 CFI Indonesia PMU (September 27, 2025)

Jeen Womom: A Strategic Conservation Area Needing Legal Certainty

Jeen Womom Marine Park, rich in marine biodiversity and serving as a vital livelihood source for coastal communities, is now officially under the authority of the Southwest Papua Provincial Government. This was affirmed through Governor Regulation No. 28 of 2023, which provides the legal foundation for managing the conservation area.

Samuel Kondjol, S.IK., M.Pi., Head of the Marine and Fisheries Division at DP2KP, announced that the dissemination of the regulation will take place in the second week of October 2025 at Reyse Village Hall. The event aims to: (i) organize and establish the conservation management institution; (ii) reaffirm the area’s status as part of Southwest Papua; and (iii) provide a forum for local stakeholders—particularly village heads and customary right holders—to voice their aspirations for the area’s sustainable management.

This event is significant since Jeen Womom was previously registered under the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries Decree No. 53/KEPMEN-KP/2017 for West Papua Province, before the regional expansion.

GEF 6 CFI Indonesia: Empowering the Coastal Economy

Beyond conservation, the initiative also brings renewed hope for improving community welfare. Muhammad Firmansyah, S.Pd., representing GEF 6 CFI Indonesia, reaffirmed the program’s commitment to supporting income diversification, particularly during non-fishing seasons.

Discussion with residents of Reyse Village, located within the Jeen Womon Marine Park Conservation Area (September 27, 2025)

Key initiatives include: Product Diversification Training: Communities will learn to process marine and agricultural products into value-added goods. Reyse Village has shown great potential with products like banana chips, skipjack crackers, and mackerel fish balls, although they still face obstacles in terms of packaging and marketing; Business Licensing and Market Access Assistance: The GEF 6 team will help obtain halal certification and BPOM's distribution permits, as well as connect local products to wider markets; Technical Training for Fishers: Including fishing gear repairing, net-making, and engine maintenance to enhance efficiency and safety at sea.

All activities are fully funded under the GEF 6 program, which concludes in 2026. However, there is strong hope that the initiative will continue into the next phase, GEF 9.

Community Support and Aspirations from Reyse Village

Reyse Village Head, Demianus Yesnat, warmly welcomed the visit. He stated that while the community possesses abundant natural resources, they still lack the management capacity and market access to maximize them. With GEF 6's programs and the support from DP2KP, he hopes residents can gain new skills, create job opportunities, and improve their livelihoods.

Group photo with the residents of Reyse Village in the Jeen Womon Marine Park Conservation Area (September 27, 2025)

Demianus also expressed a special wish that the village’s youth who have completed higher education in fisheries and tourism  be given employment opportunities in government institutions or conservation management bodies.

Field Survey: Preparing for Dissemination and Community Dialogue

As part of the visit, the DP2KP and GEF 6 teams conducted a field survey in Tobouw District. The survey aimed to: (i) identify strategic sites for the regulation’s dissemination; (ii) engage in direct dialogue with village leaders and residents; and (iii) provide information about the administrative changes following the establishment of Southwest Papua as a new autonomous region.

Support from the people of Reyse Village for the Jeen Womon Marine Park Conservation Effectiveness Survey Team (September 27, 2025)

The survey yielded highly positive responses. The community expressed appreciation and said they now have a clearer understanding of their area’s legal status. Village heads and customary leaders also pledged full support for the dissemination event scheduled for the second week of October 2025.

Next Steps: Strengthening Human Resources and Governance Clarity

Key community proposals to be followed up include: The immediate formation of a Conservation Area Management Unit (SUOP), ensuring adequate human resources and budgetary support; Skills training to support both conservation management and local economic development; Involvement of local youth—high school and university graduates—in conservation activities; and The initiation of sustainable financing to ensure long-term area management.

A Synergistic Beginning Towards Jeen Womom Water Park’s Future

This meeting marks an important milestone in the synergy between government, development partners, and the local community. The dissemination of Governor Regulation 28/2023 is not merely a formal event—it is a concrete step toward building an inclusive and sustainable governance foundation. At the same time, GEF 6’s presence as an economic empowerment driver demonstrates that conservation and community welfare can progress hand in hand.

With this spirit of collaboration, Reyse and the neighboring villages around Jeen Womom Marine Park are preparing to shape their future—protecting their seas, developing their lands, and advancing their people.