The rapid expansion of Indonesia’s marine protected area requires improvement in management effectiveness

• Published in: Marine policy 2022-12, Vol.146, p.105257, Article 105257
• Main Authors: Amkieltiela, Handayani, Christian N., Andradi-Brown, Dominic A., Estradivari, Ford, Amanda K., Beger, Maria, Hakim, Amehr, Muenzel, Dominic K., Carter, Eleanor, Agung, Firdaus, Veverka, Laura, Iqbal, Mohamad, Lazuardi, Muhammad E., Fauzi, Muhammad N., Tranter, Sylvie N., Ahmadia, Gabby N.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Coastal habitat protection; Management effectiveness; MPA
• ISSN: 0308-597X; 1872-9460
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marpol.2022.105257

Indonesia’s marine ecosystems are among the most diverse in the world, supporting extensive critical habitats with strong connections to coastal communities. To keep pace with increasing pressures on the environment, conservation efforts need to be strengthened and expanded. The Government of Indonesia has committed to protecting marine ecosystems through establishing 32.5 million ha of marine protected areas (MPAs), with 20 million ha effectively managed, by 2030. Therefore, collating data on the status and progress of marine conservation efforts nationally is important to show the extent to which this target is being reached. Here we provide an overview of the status and trends of spatial coverage and management effectiveness of MPAs in Indonesia. As of 2020, Indonesia had made good progress in reaching its target – with 23.9 million ha MPA established and some —albeit slow— increases in MPA management effectiveness. Moving forward, we recommend that marine protection efforts in Indonesia need to balance MPAs expansion with improvement in effectiveness. Improvement of management effectiveness will require significant efforts, including improving institutional coordination, ensuring adequate human and financial resources, and strengthened monitoring, evaluation, and learning to inform adaptive management. Future MPA expansion should focus on addressing specific gaps in the existing network, such as increasing coastal habitat representation, and connectivity, or increasing recognition of a diversity of governance approaches (e.g., by communities or private entities). Progress over recent decades, however, suggests Indonesia is making progress on its marine protection goals and is well placed to meet potential future targets. [Display omitted] •As of January 2020, Indonesia has protected 7.3 % of Indonesia’s waters.•MPAs in Indonesia are managed under two national ministries that uses different MPA frameworks.•Significant efforts are still needed to ensure all MPAs are effectively managed.•Indonesia should focus on both MPA expansion and improving management of existing MPAs.•EVIKA improves Indonesia’s E-KKP3K management effectiveness assessment tool using inputs, processes, outputs, and outcomes.