Study on the Designation of Marine Conservation Areas (KKPD) in Kaur Regency with the Bengkulu Provincial Marine and Fisheries Office
In 2021, the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) through the Directorate General of Marine Spatial Management (Ditjen PRL) set a target to designate 800,000 hectares (Ha) of marine conservation areas, aiming to reach a total of 24.6 million Ha. This target aligns with the global commitment under Aichi Target 11/SDGs 14, which aims for 32.5 million hectares by 2030. Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, Sakti Wahyu Trenggono, has emphasized Indonesia’s commitment to expand marine conservation areas to cover 30 percent of the total marine area by 2045. He also added that this effort is part of Indonesia’s commitment to the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, which targets 30% of the global marine area to be protected by 2030. However, considering national conditions, more time is needed to achieve this target, with a planned completion by 2045.
Currently, Indonesia has 201 marine conservation areas with a total area of 24.11 million Ha. This includes 16.8 million Ha designated by the Minister and 7.3 million Ha still under reservation by local governments. These areas not only serve as protection for natural habitats but are also expected to contribute to the economic development of local communities, especially fishermen around the conservation areas. According to the Director of Marine Conservation and Biodiversity (KKHL), there are 10 National Marine Conservation Areas managed by KKP covering 5.3 million Ha, 30 Marine Conservation Areas managed by the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK) covering 4.6 million Ha, and 161 Regional Marine Conservation Areas managed by Provincial Governments covering 14.2 million Ha.
In Kaur Regency, Bengkulu Province, the status of the marine conservation area is still under reservation according to the Bengkulu Provincial Spatial Plan for 2023-2043 Regional Regulation. In response, the Bengkulu Provincial Marine and Fisheries Office (DKP) has collaborated with lecturers from the Marine Science Study Program at Universitas Bengkulu to assist in the study of Marine Conservation Area Designation (KKPD) in Kaur Regency.
The Marine Science lecturers involved as experts in ecology, marine GIS, and fisheries socio-economics for this activity include:
1. Ir. Zamdial, M.Si
2. Dr. Ali Muqsit, S.Kel., M.Si
3. Akbar Abdurrahman Mahfudz, S.Si., M.Sc
4. Ari Anggoro, S.Pi., M.Si
5. Ayub Sugara, S.Kel., M.Si
6. Nella Tri Agustini, S.Kel., M.Si
7. Nur Lina Maratana Nabiu, S.Pi., M.Si
8. Ana Ariasari, S.Pi., M.Si
9. An Nisa Nurul Suci, S.Si., M.Si
The conservation area in Kaur Regency considers ecological, social, economic, and governance factors as crucial before making decisions on planning, designing, and managing the conservation area, which is planned to be designated by the Minister of KKP. Field observations were conducted from August 2 to 4, 2024, in three locations: Sekunyit Village, Kaur Selatan District; Linau Village, Maje District; and Merpas Village, Nasal District. This activity included ecological surveys of coral reefs, water quality assessments, and socio-economic surveys of fisheries in the designated conservation area. Coral reef ecological surveys were carried out using the Underwater Photo Transect (UPT) method with the support of divers. During the field observations, Marine Science lecturers were assisted by alumni from the Marine Science Study Program, who provided diving expertise to collect ecological data on coral reefs and water quality. Additionally, the team conducted interviews with local government officials and community members, most of whom are fishermen.
