Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi - At least 40 percent of coral reef ecosystems in Southeast Sulawesi waters are in a damaged condition. This is characterized by low hard coral cover as well as high broken coral cover and sedimentation levels. Southeast Sulawesi's waters are under serious threat due to increased nickel mining activity in the province.

Another finding that emerged was the threat of blooming spiny starfish (Crown of Thorns / Acanthaster planci), which reached 30 individuals per data collection site of the biophysical study of Southeast Sulawesi waters during the Southeast Sulawesi Expedition, October 14-25, 2016. Not only that, the rampant use of bombs (the number of explosions up to 7 times in one location during dives) also threatens the coral reef ecosystem in this region. While in some coastal villages, the team still saw the use of corals for house foundations.

The good news is that despite being under pressure, coastal ecosystems in Southeast Sulawesi still have a great chance to recover. In several locations, the team recorded sizable numbers of coral recruits (small hard corals), high hard coral cover, schooling of naso and yellow-tailed barracuda, and a wide variety of protected species such as hawksbill turtles, green turtles, leatherback turtles, whales, whale sharks, dolphins, dugongs, and manta rays.

"To optimize the design of the network of marine protected areas in Southeast Sulawesi, a biophysical study has been conducted to assess the linkages between areas. The results of the study recommend the establishment of three groups of marine protected area networks in the province, of which the Lasolo Bay Marine Nature Park (TWAL) and the Southeast Sulawesi Provincial Marine Protected Area (MPA) are part of one of the groups," said Anung Wijaya, Staff of the Conservation and Rehabilitation Section of the Southeast Sulawesi Provincial Marine and Fisheries Office, who was also one of the expedition participants.

Southeast Sulawesi, which is dominated by 75% waters or an area of 114,879 km2, is a potential sea with various types of biodiversity. "Currently, the status of the Southeast Sulawesi Provincial MPA has entered the stage of preparing a management plan and zoning document for the conservation area. Hopefully, the determination by the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries will be decided soon," continued Anung.

Imam Mustofa, Sunda Banda Seascape and Fisheries Leader WWF-Indonesia, said, "This expedition is one form of WWF-Indonesia's support for the MPA reserve of Southeast Sulawesi Province. This commitment needs to be followed up with more intensive and strategic conservation efforts in changing the status to be immediately designated and managed as an MPA, for the sake of maintaining the marine ecosystem, and increasing sustainable social and economic benefits for the community."

Southeast Sulawesi's capture fisheries potential reaches 542,000 tons per year, according to the Bureau of Economic and Natural Resources of the Regional Secretariat of Southeast Sulawesi Province. This collaboration between stakeholders is believed to be the key to the success of a conservation effort in the future. It is hoped that the findings can provide management recommendations to support the sustainable utilization of marine resources, potentially providing a positive impact from the establishment of a conservation area.
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Editor's Note:

• Southeast Sulawesi Province's 21,786.14 hectares of KPD has been reserved as a marine protected area through Southeast Sulawesi Governor Decree No. 98/2016, after an expansion of the area compared to what was stated in Governor Decree No. 324/2014.

• The Southeast Sulawesi Expedition was implemented by WWF-Indonesia together with Reef Check Indonesia Foundation, based on the Cooperation Agreement between WWF-Indonesia and DKP of Southeast Sulawesi Province and Halu Oleo University. Partners and researchers also involved in this activity include the Southeast Sulawesi Natural Resources Conservation Center (BKSDA), Wakatobi National Park Center, Maros Coastal and Marine Resources Management Center (BPSPL), Muhammadiyah Kendari University, and Bahari Foundation. For more information about the expedition, please click: XPDCSULTRA Determines Baseline Data to Support Successful Management of Marine Protected Areas

• Travel maps and photos related to the Southeast Sulawesi Expedition can be downloaded via the link http://goo.gl/EFgPXy, and used by acknowledging the copyright on the photo.

For more information, please contact:
- Estradivari, Marine Conservation Science Coordinator, WWF-Indonesia
Email: [email protected]; Phone: +62 812 9541624
- Noverica Widjojo, SBS Communication & Campaign Coordinator, WWF-Indonesia
Email: [email protected], Hp: +62 812 1958 1985