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Defend Indonesia’s Marine Life and Protect Local Livelihoods

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Project Overview

The Coral Triangle—a global epicenter of tropical marine biodiversity in the western Pacific Ocean—is threatened by destructive fishing practices and unregulated exploitation.

  • Species at Risk

    Grey Reef Shark (EN), Shorthorned Pygmy Devil Ray (EN), Napoleon Wrasse (EN), Ocean Sunfish (VU), Black Tip Reef Shark (VU), White Tip Reef Shark (VU)

  • Carbon stored

    Not calculated for MPAs*

    *(metric tons of CO2 equivalents)
  • Partner

    Konservasi Indonesia

  • 851,200 Proposed Acres Conserved by

    Designation

  • Project Cost: $817,514
Indonesia
Proposed Acres

851,200

Project Overview

The Coral Triangle—a global epicenter of tropical marine biodiversity in the western Pacific Ocean—is threatened by destructive fishing practices and unregulated exploitation.

  • Species at Risk

    Grey Reef Shark (EN), Shorthorned Pygmy Devil Ray (EN), Napoleon Wrasse (EN), Ocean Sunfish (VU), Black Tip Reef Shark (VU), White Tip Reef Shark (VU)

  • Carbon stored

    Not calculated for MPAs*

    *(metric tons of CO2 equivalents)
  • Partner

    Konservasi Indonesia

  • 851,200 Proposed Acres Conserved by

    Designation

  • Project Cost: £648,820
Indonesia
Proposed Acres

851,200

In a triangle of the western Pacific Ocean formed by Indonesia, the Philippines, and Papua New Guinea, 76% of the world’s coral reef species are found—more than anywhere else on Earth. This biodiverse “Coral Triangle” also encompasses rich expanses of seagrass and mangrove. Iconic marine species, sea turtles, sharks, rays, whales, dolphins, porpoises, and dugongs (a relative of manatees), are supported by 600 species of reef-building corals.

This coral ecosystem hosts vast fisheries comprising more than 2,000 species of fish, which have inestimable value to the millions of people living in coastal regions surrounding these waters. Destructive fishing practices (blast fishing and cyanide fishing), “ghost gear” (fishing gear abandoned in the reefs), and overexploitation threaten the populations of wild marine species.

Rainforest Trust will support our partner, Konservasi Indonesia, in working with local governments to facilitate the designation of two new Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) totaling 851,200 acres. The larger MPA protects the waters off the western end of Wetar Island in Indonesia. The smaller MPA lies off the northern coast of the Belu regency on Timor, an island governed by Timor-Leste and Indonesia.

Header video:  The White Tip Reef Shark

Explore Marine Life in the Coral Triangle

The Project Landscape © Konservasi Indonesia/UNPATTI
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The Project Landscape © Konservasi Indonesia/UNPATTI

School of Grey Reef Sharks, by Lewis Burnett
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School of Grey Reef Sharks, by Lewis Burnett

White Tip Reef Shark, by Jonas Gruhlke
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White Tip Reef Shark, by Jonas Gruhlke

The Project Landscape © Konservasi Indonesia/Hanggar Prasetio
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The Project Landscape © Konservasi Indonesia/Hanggar Prasetio

Ocean Sunfish, by WildestAnimal
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Ocean Sunfish, by WildestAnimal

Napoleon Wrasse, by Stephan Kerkhofs
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Napoleon Wrasse, by Stephan Kerkhofs

Grey Reef Shark, by Yann Hubert
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Grey Reef Shark, by Yann Hubert

Black Tip Reef Shark, by Namia 17
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Black Tip Reef Shark, by Namia 17

Did you know?

478

species of coral were identified in the proposed MPAs

Save the Coral Reefs, Seagrasses, and Mangroves that Support Millions of People

Mitigating destructive practices and overexploitation of fisheries in the Coral Triangle ecosystem will benefit the survival and livelihoods of local communities who rely on its abundance. The coral reefs in the proposed MPAs were found to be healthy and resilient to climate change thus far in a recent study. The study identified 478 species of coral, eight species of seagrass, 19 species of mangrove, and almost 300 species of fish, including at least seven threatened species.

Support Sustainable Management of Marine Ecosystems

For over two decades, our partner has built strong relationships with the Indonesian government and local and regional stakeholders. The Wetar and Belu MPAs will expand the existing network of MPAs scattered across the southern half of the Coral Triangle and safeguard critical migration routes for whales, sharks, rays, Ocean Sunfish, and sea turtles.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS PROJECT >>

 

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Conservation Action Fund
Conservation work is critical, challenging, and can be costly. We work hard to ensure we raise only the funds needed for each project. In the rare case we raise more money than needed or a project comes in under budget, excess monies will be transferred to the Conservation Action Fund. This fund supports our important conservation work throughout the tropics.

Project Modifications
Rainforest Trust conducts extensive research and due diligence on each of the projects that we support, so that once a project is offered for public support we believe it will succeed. We work closely with our project implementers, offer support, and regularly monitor their progress. Given the nature of the work, projects may not progress exactly as intended and may be unable to meet all objectives. To respond dynamically to the needs of our project implementers and the realities of the landscapes in which they operate, Rainforest Trust expressly reserves the right to modify a project as it deems necessary, provided that donor intent is honored by ensuring that that the original project objectives are diligently pursued and that project funds continue to benefit the landscape and species identified in the project overview. Project modifications that we may need to make in certain circumstances include the specific project implementer, the size of the landscape to be protected, the type of protection to be afforded to the landscape, and the development of sustainability mechanisms.