Coral Triangle Centre (CTC) Implementation in Nusa Penida Island Bali

Written by I Nyoman Budi Satriya

Introduction

Coral Triangle Center (CTC) is a nonprofit-governmental organization (NGO) whose aim to provide training to the MPA managers and fishers group in the Coral Triangle Initiative (CTI) region area. Formed in early 2000 as a training division of The Nature Conservancy, CTC has conducted 100 training sessions which involved around 2000 participants until 2011. CTC has a vision of a healthy marine environment which can encourage local people in order to maintain the sustainability of coastal and marine resources. Furthermore, Nusa Penida MPA is an appropriate location as the area of learning and training for national and international government agencies, including sponsoring and training organizations due to their size of conservation area and unique community-based ecotourism. By socializing the importance of marine protected area, TNC-CTC also conduct study about local behavior community in order to gain local community understanding, so that they could take part actively in maintaining their natural existence.

Social Aspect

Social and cultural traditions of Balinese people throughout their local wisdom support the establishment and management of marine protected area. Balinese traditional societies are guided by the unique philosophy called “Nyegara gunung” (downstream-upstream) which means the inseparable relationship between the sea and the mountain; therefore, any destruction on the mountain or land will have an impact on the ocean. Referring to this philosophy, if we want to save the sea, then we must save the land first. According to this philosophy, marine protected area was built also to accommodate local society needs. CTC has initiated several public meetings with local community due to an establishment of marine protected area, mangrove rehabilitation and zoning area. Consequently, there are several community groups which are supported by CTC and local government, maintaining and protecting mangrove area of Nusa Penida. Each of the group has their own purposes and activity such as conservation group that concerned with mangrove rehabilitation and plantation programs, ecotourism group for mangrove tour including boat operators, and local marine ranger group that responsible for monitoring and surveillance activities. Every month regular meeting will be conducted between community groups in order to discuss about daily problems such as sanitary, promotion, and income allocation.

Ecotourism

Coral Triangle Center (CTC), local government and environmental activists have jointly initiated ecotourism region program in Nusa Penida by cultivating seaweed and conserving mangrove forests. Seaweed farming and mangrove forest are part of ​​20,057 hectares of protected zone in order to support the government's national target in the arrangement of 20 million hectares integrated region of ecotourism and MPA by 2020. The long term plan of this region is to continue the development of protection zone areas for a variety of social and economic activities such as fishing, mangrove ecotourism and sea farming. Ecotourism activity such as mangrove trip and traditional seaweed farming are growing every year covering all the northern waters of Nusa Penida and Nusa Lembongan. Ecotourism also mixed with traditional law called "awig awig" applied by local fishermen in regulating the method of planting and the ownership of agricultural location.  This customary law was inherited from generation to generation. It then concluded some important rules associated with planting, harvest, profit sharing and a list of dos and don'ts together with sanctions for infringement. In practical ecotourism, travellers can get around for 30 minutes using the boat. There are 1-4   trips each day, where in one boat can accommodate up to 4 tourists. Consequently, mangrove forest cleaning activities carried out once a month along with increasing tourist traffic.

Mangrove tourism

Economic benefits

Nusa Penida marine protected area has both short term and long term benefits that contribute to the welfare of local community. Short term benefits such as increasing revenue of local residents throughout mangrove eco-tourism and seaweed farming. While the long term benefit including the increase of fish catching capacity and the improvement of community health system, which will be felt in the future. As an example, during the harvest time (every 30-35 days) farmers might gain an average weight between 40 and 50 tons of spinosum (Euchema spinosum) and cotonii (Euchema cotonii). If the average price of spinosum ranges between 20 cents and 30 cents per kilogram, and cotonii between 40 cents and 50 cents per kilogram, then in each harvest, farmers might generate approximately $30 per 100 square meters. Meanwhile, in ecotourism, there is an average of 2-3 boat trips every day, while the fee for each trip is $ 7.5. Around 90 % of income is allocated for cooperation, and the rest 10 % is for villagers and operator. In addition, tourism activities near the protected mangrove area play an important role as a preservation agent since promoting green campaign and improving local economic growth. It provides job opportunities and also pays attention to the environmental protection which has been set up in local regulations. 

Seaweed farming in Nusa Penida

  

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Randayan Island Marine Reserves Indonesia

Written by I Nyoman Budi Satriya

Introduction

Local community’s empowerment in the management of Coral reef ecosystems taken into account through developing environmental-friendly fishing activity and inspiring local community’s over education and outreach.

Randayan Island has a pristine marine ecosystem and also potential to be developed as a marine ecotourism. Located on the west coast of Borneo Island Indonesia, it has a natural nesting area for turtle that lasts throughout the year while the dominant species come from hawksbill turtle and green turtles.

Randayan Island

Due to its potential, Randayan Island was declared as a conservation area by The Government of Republic Indonesia on 16 December 2004.  Furthermore, its coral reef ecosystem has become one of the key resources for coastal tourism, but has been widely exploited by tourists and local visitor. Hence, in some circumstances, it may contribute to the future coral reef and ecosystem destruction. Referring to this, coral reef monitoring survey was conducted in order to analyzing the threats, particularly following the introduction of marine reserves within this area in 2004. Moreover, the monitoring activities carried out by direct surveys using line intercept transect method for monitoring the condition of coral reefs and also questionnaire survey to monitor social factors that may have a negative impact on the condition of coral reefs. 

As a result, in the area of no-take zone as fishing activities were prohibited, showing unstable condition with percent coral cover remaining approximately at 50.33%. The reason for this mainly happened due to the destructive catching method, natural predators such as Achantaster plancii and Diademas sp., sedimentation, ship anchor and public transport, coastal community poverty and also low enforcement.

"Local community’s empowerment in the management of Coral reef ecosystems taken into account through developing environmental-friendly fishing activity and inspiring local community’s over education and outreach".

The Randayan Island Marive Reserves

The Randayan Island Marine Reserves classified in category VI of the IUCN category. It covers an area of 15,300 hectares and divided into three zones: The core zone is a restricted area only for conservation and research activity, The buffer zone, while only low level human activities in regard to ecosystem sustainability are allowed such as fishing and snorkeling, Community development and use mix zone is a zone outside the reservation boundaries, in which limited management activity and functionality are allowed. 

Special Features

    The reserve’s coral reef area comprises of several genus such as Porites sp, Sinularia sp, Acropora sp, Millepora sp, Isis sp., Seriatopora sp, Pocillopora sp., Echinopora sp., Euphyllia sp., and Pachyseris sp. Groups of reef fish that play an important role in the food chain including the type of Amphibrion ocellaris and A. Frenatus, Malacanthus latovittatus, and Forcipige flavissimus and predatory fish like Chaetodon lunula and Chaetodon trifascialis.

Coral Reef condition in Randayan Island

·   Various rare species that are protected species such as Tridacna gigas, Tridacna scuamosa, Chelonia mydas, Eretmochelys  imbricata, and Gorgonian sp. Several types of seaweed are also found as Eucheuma sp., and Caulerpa sp. The other type is Sargassum sp. Marine life found among others Holothuria sp., Tridacna sp., Panulirus spp., and starfish. Sea turtles that can be found are the hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) and green turtle (Chelonia mydas). 

Results:

Estimates in this monitoring are that 25.1% coral reef in Randayan Island Marine reserves were seriously damaged (dead coral) while 74.9% were still in good condition, estimated to be around 1,500 ha with a relatively high diversity.

Funding:

The total funding for this project is $150,000, where $90,000 will be distributed by government and World Bank for 3 years. Therefore, the monitoring project still needs to raise about $60,000 to get completion. 

Recommendations:

1. Strategic action for coral reef conservation and management planning

2. Rising local public awareness due to the coral reef problems.

Resul

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The Nusa Penida Marine Protected Area

By: I Nyoman Budi Satriya

Background

The Nusa Penida Marine Protected Area (NPMPA) classified in category VI of the IUCN category, it was established on 2010 and aims for sustainable fishing and the protection of marine biodiversity. The area of Nusa Penida Islands is located in the global coral reef triangle, which has been prioritized as the most conservation area in the world. It comprises of three islands : Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan, including seven zones, namely the core zone, sustainable fishing zone, the zone for a particular purpose, marine ecotourism zone, seaweed farming zone, sacred zone and the seaports zone.

Nusa Penida Location

Each zone has a different function and usability, but in general all aimed at protecting the environment in these waters. In an area of ​​120 hectares that became the core zone, fishing and tourism activities are prohibited since the area is only specifically used for education and research purposes. Meanwhile, in the marine ecotourism zone that covering an area of ​​1,221 hectares is only used for tourist activity, yet fishing is prohibited in this area. 

The largest zone is the area of ​​sustainable fishing (17,264 hectares), local fishermen are welcome to take the fish in this zone, by using environmentally friendly fishing methods which do not damage the marine ecosystem. The fishermen are also allowed to take fish in the special use zone, but only at 4pm until 9am. In addition to fishing activity, local residents are also doing seaweed farming in the agricultural zone covering an area of ​​464 hectares of sea grass. The sacred zone (​​46,71 hectares) is the area around the temple on the coast. The using of speed boat is prohibited in this zone, but tourists can still go diving and snorkeling in the special area marked with buoys. Lastly, is an area of seaport zone, which ships transport are operated near the Padangbai Port Bali.

Cooperative Management

Stakeholders include seaweed farmers, fisherman, local traditional groups, and tourism sector (i.e dive operator) have conducted several meetings in order to achieve mutual understanding due to the formation of the MPA. The local district government along with the stakeholders has reached mutual understanding due to the operation of the MPA. The agreement covers many points related to the operation of MPA in Nusa Penida Island. The division of several zones is the result of cooperation between the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries of Indonesian Government, Klungkung regency government, Coral Triangle Center (CTC), USAID, the Coral Triangle Support Partnership, and local indigenous people in Nusa Penida district.

Economic and Ecosystem Values

Nusa Penida district which has three main islands of Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan are all surrounded by fringing reefs with an area of 1600 hectares and consists of 296 species of coral.

Mangrove forest area is approximately 230 hectares located in Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan. There are 13 species of mangrove and 7 plant associations. The mangrove forests serve as a source of fisheries resources, ecotourism, natural beach protection and carbon dioxide absorbent. Seagrass beds in Nusa Penida have an area of about 108 hectares,  seagrass is generally found in Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan.

There are 567 types of coral fish, pelagic and bottom fish. Marine mammals such as whales and dolphins also sometimes cross the waters of Nusa Penida. In the waters of Nusa Penida, there are two types of turtle : green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) and hawksbill sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata). Some beaches in Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan alleged turtle nesting sites.

Important facts

Mola-mola (sunfish) habitats in Nusa Penida Coastal Water

Mola-mola (sunfish)

• NPMPA covers an area of 20,057 hectares, and attracted 200,000 tourist visits annualy.
• Deep sea fish such as Mola-Mola (sunfish) appeared in the waters of Nusa Penida around the month of July to September each year
• Manta rays are often found in groups and can be found throughout the year
• There are 20 dive points and several nautical sports such as surfing, snorkeling, sailing, fishing, sailing and kayaking in marine ecotourism zone.

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Climate Change in Indonesia, Its Impact and Solution

I Nyoman Budi Satriya

            Over the past 20 years, the world has faced many problems, particularly in environment sustainability. As we know, during the globalization era, many industries which are related with food, textiles, and machinery have been built to accommodate people’s needs. On the one hand, these phenomenon’s have positive impacts to human lives, but on the other hand this might create global warming. Global warming is one of the greatest issues these days. It causes climate change all over the world and might be responsible to the world’s much environment disaster that affects people lives. For example, in many parts of the world climate change affect many natural disasters like droughts, floods, sea level rise, hunger and poverty, which are very rare if we look back before the 19^th century. According to Mirza (2001, p.233) increasing incidence of bad weather and natural disasters which are caused by climate change are generally experienced by the developing countries which are particularly susceptible to extreme weather changes. In this case, Indonesia is one of the developing countries in the world which are affected by global warming and climate change. This essay will discuss about the effect of climate change that has occurred in Indonesia, then it will examine about the major cause of climate change and in what way government has already done to reduce about its impact. 

            It has been claimed that Indonesia is famous for the richness of its natural diversity. However, among the industrialized countries Indonesia continues to occur environmental degradation and this situation are exacerbated by the increasing greenhouse gas emissions from forest fire and environmental damage (Measey 2010, p.43). As Perri (2011) in Parry, Canziani and Palutikof (2007) show marine ecosystem is strongly influenced by climate change which interferes with the management of fishing gear and fishing time. It has affected many sectors from agricultural, forestry and marine environment, particularly in ocean environment which has suffered the greatest impacts of climate change. This is caused by the destruction of fish habitat especially coral reef and mangrove, the decline rate of marine benthic and plankton, the migration of fishing ground and also the increase rate of fish disease due to ocean acidification. Furthermore, many fishermen are finding it really difficult in setting regular time to start fishing, because of the unfixed weather. Moreover, due to the rapid change in marine conditions, fish also find it difficult to find the right time to start spawning or begin finding the suitable place in order to nurture their eggs. These all can both affect environmental sustainability and economic welfare of fishermen. In addition, the destruction of marine environment can reduce sea’s ability to absorb carbon dioxide (Co2) that is much contained in the atmosphere.

            The increased rate of human population is believed to be the main cause for climate change phenomenon and leads to the increased rate of human necessities, particularly in foods, clothes and housing. Many fabrics have been made and many timbers have been cut to become raw material. The destructive of human activities such as illegal logging, and deforestation may increase the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere (NASA 2015). The increased rate of fabric and the decreased rate of forests make exhaust gas accumulated in the atmosphere. Consequently, this output process interacts with oxygen and carbon in the air and causing what we have called now as the greenhouse effect. It means that, light from the sun passes through directly into the earth and earth cannot have enough capability to absorb and dissolve it since many trees and coral reefs are destructed. This natural effect only can be neutralized by the increasing oxygen rate in the air. Therefore, the existence of trees and coral reefs become very important in order to minimize excessive levels of CO2 in the air.

            Rising sea levels, extreme weather and the destruction of ecosystems are several impacts which are caused by climate change in Indonesia. Nevertheless, the government is aware about this and started thinking about findings the best solution to reduce the impact of climate change. To tackle this situation, Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) which involved many stakeholders include local government is Indonesia's main priority. According to Farhan and Lim (2013) Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) is defined as sustainable and integrated management activities in coastal areas which involve many coastal communities that connect directly to the coastal areas. The management system must be environmentally sustainable, for example, in 2009 in order to maintain the diversity of living marine resources, Indonesia with five other countries formed the Coral Triangle Initiative (CTI), which aims to preserve the 75,000 square kilometers of coral reef area (Soesilo 2014). Furthermore, many programs have been built to reduce the impacts of climate change, such as beach cleaning program and some campaigns for fisheries communities to empowering them and increase their awareness of keeping their environment clean and more sustainable. In 2011 Indonesia forest ministry started the program to plant more than 1 million trees, particularly in coastal areas. This program is called “Reboisasi” which means making rehabilitation to destroyed forests and to get it revitalized again. Also, in the marine area, our government has launched the “Sehati” program to revitalize damage coral reefs and also mangroves.

            In conclusion, this essay has discussed about the effect of climate change in Indonesia and marine environment which is suffered the greatest impact of climate change biologically and economically. It has shown that increasing rate of human’s population lead to a massive natural exploitation in order to fulfill their necessities. Moreover, deforestation occurred in line with increase growth in fabric and motor vehicle. Indeed, the destruction of coral reefs and mangrove in coastal environment upturn the risks of Carbon dioxide (CO2) content in the atmosphere. Nonetheless, Indonesia government is very concerned with this issue and pay more attention relates withmanagement integrationwhich involving multiple stakeholders in coastal management. In addition, more active involvement of the coastal community helped reduce the impact of climate change.

References

Farhan, A. R. & Lim, S. 2013, 'Improving vulnerability assessment towards Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM): a case study of small islands in Indonesia', Journal of Coastal Conservation, vol. 17, no. 3, pp. 351-367.

Measey, M. 2010, 'Indonesia: a vulnerable country in the face of climate change', Global Majority E-Journal, vol. 1, no. 1, pp. 31-45.

Mirza, M. M. Q. 2003, 'Climate change and extreme weather events: can developing countries adapt?', Climate policy, vol. 3, no. 3, pp. 233-248.

Nasa 2015, A Blanket around the earth,http://climate.nasa.gov/causes/,accessed 4 February 2015.

Parry, M. L. 2007, Climate Change 2007: impacts, adaptation and vulnerability: contribution of Working Group II to the fourth assessment report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Cambridge University Press.

Soesilo,I.2014, Climate change:Indonesia's adaptation and mitigation effort, http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2014/04/26/climate-change-indonesia-s-adaptation-and-mitigation-efforts.html, accessed 6 February 2015.

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