The Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (MMAF), together with the Maluku Provincial Marine Affairs and Fisheries Office (DKP), held an event titled Management Effectiveness of the Eastern Seram Regional Marine Conservation Area Governance from August 27–29, 2025. The program took place in Bula, Kian Darat, Teluk Waru, and Tutuk Tolu Districts. Supported by GEF-6 CFI Indonesia funding, this initiative is part of the facilitation of the establishment of new regional conservation areas within Fisheries Management Area (FMA) 715, Eastern Seram Regency.

The Management Effectiveness of the Eastern Seram Regional Marine Conservation Area Governance meeting in Waru District (August 28, 2025) was attended by the Head of the Maluku Marine Affairs and Fisheries Office and the GEF-6 CFI Indonesia PMU

In his opening remarks, Ahadar Tuhuteru, S.Pi., M.Si., Knowledge Management & Monev Specialist of GEF-6 CFI Indonesia, emphasized that MMAF has set a target of expanding Indonesia’s marine conservation areas to 30 percent by 2045. “Geographically, we have vast seas, and their management must incorporate local wisdom. Conservation is not only about today’s resources but also about how we pass on fish stocks, coral reefs, and critical habitats to future generations,” he explained.

The Head of the Maluku DKP delivered his directives at the Facilitation Meeting for the Establishment of a New Regional Conservation Area in Fisheries Management Area (FMA) 715, Eastern Seram Regency, held in Bula, Eastern Seram, on August 29, 2025.

Meanwhile, the Head of the Maluku Provincial Marine Affairs and Fisheries Office, Dr. Erawan Asikin, expressed his gratitude and appreciation to GEF-6 CFI Indonesia for supporting the implementation of this meeting. He emphasized that Indonesia, as part of the global community, has committed together with other countries to designate portions of its land and sea areas as conservation zones.

“Indonesia has committed to protecting 30 percent of its territory, both on land and at sea. This protection does not mean that communities cannot carry out activities, but rather that these activities are regulated and managed properly to ensure sustainability. In Maluku, 10 regencies/cities are already prepared, including Eastern Seram. We are currently processing this area so that it can contribute to the target of 30 percent of protected marine areas, along with the conservation zone of Koon Waters and its surroundings,” explained Erawan.

Group photo at the Meeting on Management Effectiveness of the Eastern Seram Regional Marine Conservation Area Governance meeting in Waru District (August 28, 2025)

He added that the conservation area designation has gone through several stages and received approval, with the next step being the preparation of a management system. “In the future, local communities will be actively involved through partnerships with the Management Organization Unit (SUOP), led by the Head of the Eastern Seram Island Cluster IV Service Branch. This management model is collaborative and involving government, NGOs, and local communities,” he said.

According to Erawan, communities will play an important role not only in economic activities but also in monitoring through Community Supervisory Groups (Pokmaswas) and in capacity-building programs such as training and empowerment. “We hope all stakeholders will actively contribute to achieving effective conservation management in Eastern Seram,” he added.

At the same event, Yoppy Endano, SE, ME., Finance and Administration Specialist, presented GEF-6 CFI Indonesia’s achievements over the past four years. He noted that CFI Indonesia has contributed to managing conservation effectiveness in Southeast Maluku and Eastern Seram, and has facilitated the establishment of three new conservation areas in Maluku: in Buru, South Buru, and Eastern Seram Regencies. “In addition, we also facilitated the reserve of customary-based conservation areas through OECMs in Southeast Maluku and Eastern Seram,” Yoppy explained.

The program’s culmination was held on August 29, 2025, at the regency level, at Hotel Mutiara in Bula City. The event was attended by stakeholders, including the Eastern Seram Regency Government, the Maluku Province Marine Affairs and Fisheries Service Branch, the Eastern Seram Naval Post, the Water and Air Units of Eastern Seram Police, fisheries extension workers, as well as educational and business partners such as STKIP Ita Wotu Nusa and Bula PLN Customer Service Unit.

The Regional Secretary of Eastern Seram, Ahmad Quadri Amahoru, delivered the Regent’s speech at the Facilitation Meeting for the Establishment of a New Regional Conservation Area in Fisheries Management Area (FMA) 715, Eastern Seram Regency, held in Bula, Eastern Seram, on August 29, 2025

In a speech delivered by Eastern Seram Regional Secretary Ahmad Quadri Amahoru, the Regent emphasized the importance of managing marine conservation areas to preserve marine resources while improving community welfare. “Eastern Seram is blessed with marine wealth such as coral reefs, seagrass beds, and mangrove forests. However, we also face challenges such as overfishing, habitat degradation, and limited facilities and funding,” he said.

Even so, the Regent saw great opportunities through the designation of 9,900.87 hectares in Koon Waters as conservation areas, as well as a proposal for 199,500.06 hectares in Maluku Province’s RZWP3K. He stressed that support from communities, government, academics, NGOs, and development partners is key to successful sustainable management.

“Conservation is not about limiting communities, but about ensuring that marine resources remain available for future generations. If managed properly, this area can become a best-practice model for marine management in Maluku and even Indonesia,” he emphasized.

Through this initiative, Maluku DKP and GEF-6 CFI Indonesia hope that conservation management in Eastern Seram can be effective through cross-sector collaboration, active community participation, and ongoing stakeholder support.