A collaboration between CFI Indonesia, the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), and the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (MMAF) successfully identified 5,971 hectares of marine waters in Eastern Seram Regency as potential Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures (OECMs). This initiative is part of the GEF-6 CFI Indonesia program and supports MMAF’s Blue Economy strategy, SDG 14 targets, and the national 30x45 commitment—to protect 30% of Indonesia’s marine area by 2045.

Local Wisdom as the Foundation of Conservation

OECMs are non-formal conservation area-based conservation approaches that effectively protects biodiversity. In Eastern Seram, these approaches align with the traditional sasi or ngam system—a local customary wisdom where indigenous communities manage and protect marine resources across generations.

Lake Sole in Amarsekaru Village, Eastern Seram Regency, Maluku, holds great potential to become a Sasi-based OECM site (August 30, 2025)

On Gorom Island, communities from 11 customary villages maintain strong marine management systems, including bans on harvesting valuable marine species such as sea cucumbers, lola (top shells), and lobsters without permission from the village chief (raja negeri). In Rarat Village, for example, sasi has long been applied to sea cucumbers and lola. Namalean Village practices sasi batu (a ban on coral extraction), while Kataloka and Ondor Villages are known for practicing sasi jaring (restrictions on net fishing).

“Ngam is important to us because our village depends on marine resources such as lobster, sea cucumber, lola, and various fish. We must protect them for the well-being of our people,” said Abdullah Kelirey, Raja of Day Village.

Traditional elders validate and approve the delineation map in the Gorom Islands, Eastern Seram Regency, Maluku (August 31, 2025)

Field Research and Customary Validation

A research team from BRIN’s Marine Biota Systems Research Center and Ecology Research Center conducted field observations across several sites in August 2025, including Rarat, Namalean, and Ondor Villages. The research involved sampling marine biota and measuring water quality parameters, continuing from earlier surveys conducted in May 2025.

The team found several economically valuable sea cucumber species such as Thelenota anax, Thelenota ananas, and Holothuria atra. Local fishers also reported at least 14 other species of sea cucumbers found in their waters.

Survey results identify Thelenota anax (amberfish sea cucumber) as one of the potential OECM species in Kilgoa Village, Gorom Island, Eastern Seram Regency, Maluku (August 30, 025)

Validation of the proposed OECM sites was carried out through focus group discussions involving customary figures, village officials, local government representatives, BRIN, and CFI Indonesia. Dr. Reny Puspasari, S.Si., M.Si. from BRIN reported that the potential OECM area in the shallow waters of Gorom Island covers approximately 3,221.07 ha, while that in Manowaku Island, Amarsekaru Village, spans about 2,750.02 ha.

Support from Local Government

The Head of Gorom Island Subdistrict, Yusriadi, expressed his appreciation for this marine area potential identification initiative. He hoped that the results will serve as supporting data and information source for subdistrict-level policy-making.

The OECM delineation validation meeting was attended by customary figures, Gorom Island subdistrict and village officials, representatives from the Maluku Provincial DKP, the Eastern Seram Regency Fisheries Service, BRIN, and the GEF 6 CFI Indonesia PMU at the Kilalir Kilwouw Village Office, Gorom Island Subdistrict (August 31, 2025)

Similarly, the Head of East Gorom Subdistrict, Ahmad Rumasilan, S.Pd., voiced his support for revitalizing the ngam (sasi) tradition as a form of marine and ecosystem sustainability protection.

“We will establish further communication with local customary governments to strengthen the plan for OECM designation plan and encourage the reimplementation of the ngam practice,” he stated.

Recognition of Customary Law Comunity (MHA)

The Sasi Co-Management model developed by CFI Indonesia promotes collaborative governance among indigenous communities, government institutions, and stakeholders. Its goal is to strengthen OECMs while advancing the recognition of Customary Law Community (MHA) as the primary guardians of marine ecosystems.

“We continue to promote the development and revitalization of coastal fisheries management models such as sasi or ngam as sustainable solutions that can be replicated elsewhere,” explained Yoppy Endano, SE., ME., from the GEF-6 CFI Indonesia PMU.

The OECM identification survey team from BRIN in Gorom Islands was accompanied by representatives from the Maluku Provincial DKP, the Eastern Seram Regency Fisheries Service, and the GEF 6 CFI Indonesia PMU (September 1, 2025)

Ahadar Tuhuteru, S.Pi., M.Si., CFI Indonesia’s Knowledge Management Specialist, added that this approach supports community-based conservation within Fisheries Management Area 715 (WPPNRI 715), where two MHAs have already been officially recognized in Eastern Seram Regency—Kataloka and Amarsekaru—and one candidate MHA, Klitay Village, is currently in the facilitation process.

Sasi and Marine Sustainability

Discussion and coordination between the GEF 6 CFI Indonesia PMU and the Deputy Regent of Eastern Seram, M. Miftah T. R. Wattimena, S.Ip., M.A., to strengthen the implementation of Sasi-Co Management in Bula, Eastern Seram (September 28/08/2025)

The Regent of Eastern Seram, Fachri Husni Alkatiri, Lc., M.Si., emphasized the importance of strengthening customary law communities and expanding community-based conservation areas. Meanwhile, the Deputy Regent, M. Miftah T. R. Wattimena, S.Ip., MA., noted that the ngam system in Kataloka Village has been effectively managed by the Wanu Ataloa customary institution, including through the implementation of Payments for Ecosystem Services (PES) in Koon Island, where the proceeds are used for village development and cultural activities.

Marine conservation initiatives in Eastern Seram demonstrate that traditional wisdom and modern science can work hand in hand. The OECM approach, which recognizes and reinforces customary practices such as sasi, represents a strategic step toward ensuring the sustainability of Indonesia’s marine resources. From Eastern Seram, Indonesia shows that environmental stewardship does not always come from outside—but can grow from within, from traditions that have protected the sea for hundreds of years.