ASIATODAY.ID, JAKARTA — The Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries of Indonesia has officially expanded the country’s marine protected areas (MPAs) by an additional 1.079 million hectares.
This expansion marks a major step toward achieving Indonesia’s Blue Economy strategy and national conservation targets — 10% of marine areas protected by 2030 and 30% by 2045. With the new additions, Indonesia’s total marine protected area now stands at 30.99 million hectares.
“The year 2025 represents an acceleration phase focused on new area designations, marine spatial planning synchronization, and strengthening management effectiveness through the EVIKA system,” said Koswara, Director General of Marine Management, The Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries of Indonesia quoted on Monday, October 27, 2025.
Strengthening Ocean Ecosystem Protection
The 2025 expansion covers key regions such as East Seram, South Buru, Buru, Teonila Serua (Maluku), South Aceh II, East Aceh, and Jakarta Bay.
This initiative aims to enhance protection of critical marine ecosystems including coral reefs, seagrass beds, and mangrove forests — vital for maintaining marine biodiversity, coastal resilience, and sustainable fish stocks.
“Marine conservation expansion is not just about numbers — it’s about ensuring our oceans are genuinely protected while providing real economic benefits for coastal communities. This is the essence of Indonesia’s sustainable Blue Economy,” Koswara added.
Monitoring Conservation Performance through EVIKA
Firdaus Agung, Director of Ecosystem Conservation at The Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries of Indonesia, explained that the ministry continuously monitors the management effectiveness of 117 marine protected areas across Indonesia through the EVIKA (Evaluation of Marine Protected Area Management Effectiveness) system.
By 2024, 13 MPAs (11%) have achieved sustainable management categories, including:
Pulau Pieh
Kapoposang Islands
Anambas Islands
Gili Matra
Savu Sea
Padaido Islands
Raja Ampat
West Waigeo
Pangumbahan Turtle Beach
Nusa Penida
Alor Islands
Derawan Islands
Collaboration and Global Support
The program is implemented collaboratively with local governments, Bappenas, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Environment and Forestry, BRIN, and ATR/BPN, along with international conservation partners such as WWF, CTC, RARE, Conservation International Indonesia, and WRI Indonesia.
Funding sources include state and regional budgets (APBN/APBD), Public Service Agency funds (BLU/BLUD), and international support from GEF-8, Blue Planet Fund, and TFCCA.
This initiative aligns with the Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries’ Blue Economy Policy, which aims to balance marine ecosystem protection with improved livelihoods for coastal communities. (AT Network)
Follow Us at Google News and WA Channel