The TNS Marine Conservation Area will be managed by the regional government through a Regional Technical Implementation Unit (UPTD) for Conservation Area Management, with the involvement of local communities and support from development partners and other stakeholders.
MARITIMEPOSTS.COM — The Indonesian Government has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the country’s waters and marine resources through the designation of a Marine Conservation Area (MCA) in the waters surrounding the Teon, Nila, and Serua (TNS) Islands in Central Maluku Regency, Maluku Province.
The designation was formalized through Decree of the Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries of the Republic of Indonesia No. 67 of 2026, issued on September 2, 2026.
The establishment of the conservation area also strengthens Indonesia’s contribution toward achieving its target of protecting 30 percent of its marine area by 2045, known as the 30×45 target.
Covering 683,826.89 hectares, the TNS Marine Conservation Area represents a strategic step toward protecting ecologically important marine ecosystems.
The TNS waters encompass a range of critical ecosystems, including coral reefs, seagrass meadows, fish spawning grounds, and habitats for hammerhead sharks.
These resources offer significant potential for supporting sustainable fisheries and marine tourism while ensuring that economic activities benefit local communities without compromising the ecological functions of the area.
Firdaus Agung, Director of Ecosystem Conservation at the Directorate General of Marine Management, Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (MMAF), said that the designation of the conservation area represents an effort to protect, preserve, and sustainably utilize marine ecosystems while ensuring the long-term sustainability of marine resources for future generations.
The TNS Marine Conservation Area will be managed by the regional government through a Regional Technical Implementation Unit (UPTD) for Conservation Area Management, with the involvement of local communities and support from development partners and other stakeholders.
“We hope that this collaboration will lead to effective area management, allowing its ecological, social, and economic benefits to be shared by all,” Firdaus said.
A Long Collaborative Process
The designation of the TNS Marine Conservation Area is the result of a lengthy process involving the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, the Maluku Provincial Government, the Central Maluku Regency Government, indigenous and coastal communities, academics, and development partners.
The process included biophysical, social, economic, and cultural surveys; scientific assessments; and public consultations, all of which served as the foundation for establishing the conservation area.
Erawan Asikin, Head of the Maluku Provincial Marine and Fisheries Agency, said the TNS Marine Conservation Area represents a strategic asset for Maluku in maintaining a balance between environmental conservation and regional development.
He also expressed his appreciation for the support of all parties involved in guiding the designation process until it was formally established through the Ministerial Decree.
“The designation of this conservation area is an important milestone for Maluku Province. We appreciate the support of the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, the Central Maluku Regency Government, indigenous communities, academics, and the Indonesian Nature Conservation Foundation (YKAN), which has consistently supported the collection of scientific data, zoning design, stakeholder consultations, and capacity building throughout the establishment process. These efforts are an important foundation for ensuring effective management of the area in the future,” Erawan said.
Communities at the Heart of Conservation
YKAN, which has supported the establishment of the TNS Marine Conservation Area from the outset, has adopted an approach that places local communities as key partners throughout the process, from area identification to formal designation.
The process actively involved a broad range of community representatives, including the Badan Latupati, traditional kings and village authorities, petuanan rights holders, community leaders, religious leaders, youth groups, women’s groups, fishers, and coastal communities.
This approach aims to ensure that conservation area management respects the rights, cultural values, and traditional knowledge of indigenous communities, while strengthening their sense of ownership so that the conservation area can be managed effectively and sustainably.
“The designation of this conservation area demonstrates that effective marine protection is built through collaboration, science, and community participation. Going forward, YKAN remains committed to supporting sustainable area management so that its benefits can continue to be enjoyed by local communities while safeguarding marine biodiversity for future generations,” said Herlina Hartanto, Executive Director of YKAN.
