Communities in eastern Indonesia revive traditional sea protection practices | News | Eco-Business

Communities across eastern Indonesia are reviving customary laws and traditional marine management to protect ecosystems from blast fishing and habitat loss. These efforts are featured in the documentary Jejak Wallacea, produced by Burung Indonesia and Arise! Indonesia as part of the Wallacea Partnership Program II, a conservation initiative supported by the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund.

The project emphasizes community-led conservation over top-down enforcement. According to Angga Yoga, a terrestrial program specialist at Burung Indonesia, the program aims to strengthen civil society capacity at the site level, ensuring communities design their own conservation mechanisms rather than following imposed prohibitions.

How are local traditions protecting the ocean?

In Solor, East Nusa Tenggara, residents and the local foundation Yayasan Tanah Ile Boleng established kebang lewa lolon, or “marine granaries.” These are coral reef breeding grounds managed through agreements between village officials, customary leaders, and religious institutions.

In Southeast Sulawesi, the village of Wabula utilizes the Kaombo system to regulate access to coral reefs, seagrass beds, and mangroves. Violators of these boundaries may face a customary fine of 5 million rupiah (approximately US$290).

Meanwhile, fishers on Langkai and Lanjukang islands in South Sulawesi employ periodic closures for octopus fishing. Supported by Yayasan Konservasi Laut Indonesia, these areas close for roughly three months to allow populations to recover, with fishers harvesting only adult octopi upon reopening.

Why is the Wallacea region critical for biodiversity?

Wallacea consists of roughly 1,680 islands and serves as a transition zone between Asian and Australasian biota. It is a recognized living laboratory for evolution and part of the Pacific Coral Triangle, featuring deep-sea basins, mangroves, and seagrass beds.

The region supports several rare and threatened species. Burung Indonesia researchers noted positive impacts on the Banggai cardinalfish, dugong, pelagic thresher shark, and both green and hawksbill sea turtles.

In South Sulawesi, the program helped protect 41 green turtle nests and resulted in the release of 3,943 sea turtle hatchlings. These results demonstrate that community-based approaches may be the most suitable for areas not yet covered by formal Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).

What are the economic drivers of destructive fishing?

Despite conservation efforts, destructive practices like poison and blast fishing persist. Director Sam August Himmawan reported witnessing a blast explosion just 200 meters away while interviewing a fishers’ group leader during filming.

Himmawan noted that social and economic pressures drive these activities. Some fishers reported high demand for fresh fish from big-city visitors, while others collected small fish from blasts because they had little else to eat.

In Central Sulawesi’s Banggai Islands, the community of Lipu Akat shifted its perspective on mangroves after crab populations declined. Villagers now replant mangroves to protect crab habitats, and women’s groups produce antibacterial dishwashing soap from mangrove leaves to diversify income.

How can these local systems be integrated into national law?

Tely Dasaluti, head of the Indigenous peoples and local communities working team at Indonesia’s Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, stated that formally recognized Indigenous communities have the right to act against illegal fishing in their territories.

The government is working to write local wisdom systems, such as sasi in the Maluku islands and ombo in Buton, into regional regulations. This prevents traditional knowledge from being lost and ensures resources are protected for future generations.

Dasaluti also highlighted the concept of “other effective area-based conservation measures” (OECMs). These are areas outside formal protected zones that still deliver long-term biodiversity conservation, even if conservation is not their primary objective.

What happens next for community conservation?

The Wallacea Partnership Program II ran from 2020 to 2024, but the long-term sustainability of these sites remains a primary concern. Burung Indonesia has emphasized the need to integrate these community models into national and regional government policies.

Future efforts may focus on ensuring these initiatives are adopted more widely and connected to official government programs. Such collaboration could help local initiatives remain sustainable beyond their initial funding periods.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Kaombo system in Wabula?
It is a customary marine governance system in Southeast Sulawesi that regulates access to coral reefs, seagrass beds, and mangrove forests. Violators can be fined 5 million rupiah.

How do octopus closures work in South Sulawesi?
Fishers temporarily close specific octopus fishing grounds for about three months. This allows the reef ecosystem and octopus populations to recover before only adult octopi are harvested.

Which species were positively impacted by the Wallacea program?
The program impacted the Banggai cardinalfish, green sea turtle, hawksbill turtle, pelagic thresher shark, and dugong.

Do you think traditional customary laws are more effective than government-mandated protected areas for environmental conservation?