Bali, June 7, 2026: When a whale shark swims out of Indonesian waters and crosses a national border, who is responsible for protecting it? That question may sound simple, but the answer is far more complex than one might imagine. The ocean knows no man-made borders drawn on maps. Ocean currents constantly shift, species migrate, and ecosystems are interconnected beyond administrative boundaries and national sovereignty.

This understanding is one of the themes highlighted during the World Ocean Day and Coral Triangle Day 2026 events in Bali, initiated by WWF-Indonesia in collaboration with the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP). Through the “Youth Ocean Jamboree: Navigating Our Blue Future” session, young people from Indonesia and Timor-Leste were invited to discuss how cross-border cooperation plays a vital role in protecting the oceans they share.

Adi Mahardika, Conservation Planning Manager at Konservasi Indonesia, explained that the Lesser Sunda Sea region plays a vital role in maintaining the health of marine ecosystems in eastern Indonesia. One area of particular concern is the Ombai-Wetar Strait, known as a migration route for various marine megafauna.

According to Adi, these species do not recognize national administrative boundaries. Therefore, their management cannot be carried out in isolation.

“Ecosystems do not care about national administrative boundaries; it is humans who must adapt,” he said.

These conditions make cross-regional and cross-border cooperation increasingly important. Moreover, many marine ecosystems are interconnected between Indonesia and Timor-Leste. Damage occurring in one location can have an impact on other areas within the same marine landscape.

However, protecting the ocean requires more than just cooperation between nations. According to Adi, the success of conservation also depends heavily on the communities living and working in these areas. “Conservation always requires the enthusiasm of those on the ground, especially the local youth,” he said.

It is precisely this spirit that the Youth Ocean Jamboree aims to foster. This program brings together young people from various coastal regions to learn together about marine conservation, build networks, and gain hands-on experience in the field.

Imelda Novita, a participant from Belu, East Nusa Tenggara, shared how her experience in the program gave her a new perspective on the relationship between communities and the ocean. “The ocean is a source of life for coastal communities,” she said.

During the event, participants received training for basic scuba diving certification (Open Water Diving) and learned to monitor marine species using underwater technology such as BRUVS (Baited Remote Underwater Video System). It is hoped that this knowledge can be brought back to their respective regions and shared with the community. “This serves as a foundation to show the community that the marine ecosystem we have needs to be preserved together,” she added.

A similar view was expressed by Georgina, a participant from Timor-Leste. She explained that most people in her region depend on marine resources for their daily lives. Therefore, preserving the health of the ocean means safeguarding the future of coastal communities themselves. Georgina said, “Most people in our region depend on activities related to the ocean.”

According to Georgina, education is a crucial step in helping communities understand the connection between human activities and the state of marine ecosystems. She also views this program as a concrete example of how conservation can serve as a platform for collaboration among nations facing similar challenges.

During the discussion session, participants also shared their experiences regarding the challenges they faced while participating in field activities. These ranged from unpredictable weather conditions and adapting to the use of diving equipment to the presence of wildlife, such as crocodiles, at some monitoring sites.

Nevertheless, these challenges actually provided a more tangible understanding of the complexity of marine management and the importance of cooperation among scientists, local communities, governments, and the younger generation.

This discussion demonstrated that marine conservation is not limited to administrative boundaries or imaginary lines separating nations. The same ocean can connect diverse communities, cultures, and interests. Therefore, protecting the ocean also requires a spirit of collaboration that transcends these boundaries.

Through the Youth Ocean Jamboree, young people from Indonesia and Timor-Leste demonstrated that cross-border cooperation can begin with a group of young people who are learning to understand the same ocean and, with a shared goal, ensuring that the ocean remains healthy for future generations.