ALOR-FLORES EXPEDITION: EVALUATING ECOLOGY IMPACT OF WATERS CONSERVATION AREAS MANAGEMENT

Alor, Nusa Tenggara Timur –  In 23 March to 5 April 2017, WWF- Indonesia and Indonesia Reef Check Foundation initiated a marine expedition to check coral ecosystem in, and around, Alor and East Flores. The expedition was also meant to evaluate ecology impacts affected by the local conservation management.

On 16 June 2015, 276.693,38 acres of the Water Conservation Area in Alor was officially declared as a Natural Water Sanctuary. It was under a Minitrial Decree No.35/2015. As in East Flores, another Natural Water Sanctuary was declared under a Regent Decree No. 4/2013. The declarations were considered important as both areas above are known for its large variety of fishes and the potential as tourist sites.

Muhammad Erdi Lazuardi, the Lesser Sunda Project Leader of WWF-Indonesia, shared his opinion about the difficulty on declaring a conservation area. He said that to declare an area as a conservative area is not easy but it is even harder to make sure the management quality to preserve a better and efficient-beneficial result. He stated the importance of having an effective management steps by conducting a routine monitoring to measure biophysical condition, especially on the corals as the main assets. Lastly, he mentioned his hope on how the expedition would help the conserved areas to beneficially helping; ecologically, economically, and socially.

Izaak S. Angwarmasse, the Head of Maritime Structuring and Management of East Nusa Tenggara, said “Of, total, nine Water Conserved Areas, there are three areas put in reserve. However, the Province of East Nusa Tenggara is committed to declare another two conserved areas”. He also stated how the ecological impacts of the expedition would be used as a basis to create a program, manage a plan and to mark areas.

The result expected from the expedition would recommendation to optimize the marine resources management adaptively considering any ecological impacts given by the water conservation. However, despite the results, another research is planned to be carried out in the mid-year to evaluate the social and economy impacts of the conservation areas.
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Editor’s Notes:

• The ceremonial on releasing the Alor-Flores Expedition Team is attended by Rahmin Amahala, S.Pi, the Head of Alor Marine and Fisheries Dept., and Flora Gorangmau, SH, the Head of Alor District Tourism.
• The Province of East Nusa Tenggara has 4,4 million acres or 23,7% of the total Water Conservation area of the total 17,8 Indonesia conservation area (2016 data).
• There are nine water conservation areas in the Province of East Nusa Tenggara : Komodo National Park, Sawu Sea National Park, Pantar Strait Water Conservation Area, East Flores Water Conservation Area, Maumere Bay Conservation Area, Sikka Conservation Area, Lembata Conservation Area, Marine Natural Tourism Park, Kupang Bay, and 17 Islands-Riung Conservation Area.
• Pantar Strait Conservation Area: the average of corals found with ‘good’ condition is 51,5%. 174 different species of fishes were found.
• East Flores Conservation Area: 43% of corals found was in ‘medium’ condition. 180 species of 16 families were found.
• Alor-Flores used transect method, underwater research, and android-based direct observation (Marine Buddies). The Marine Buddies is a newly launched application created by WWF-Indonesia. The application is meant to involve wide-range of people in conserving and managing conservation areas.
• HD photos and maps of this year’s expedition could be accessed through http://bit.ly/2mWnUwQ
• The photos could be used by inserting the copyright under © Irwan Hermawan/WWF-Indoensia/
• Maps can be used by inserting the copyright under © Nugroho Ari Saputro.WWF-Indonesia.

For further information, please contact :
•    Muhammad Erdi Lazuardi, Lesser Sunda Project Leader, WWF-Indonesia
Email: [email protected], Hp: +62812 1070 8874
•    Estradivari, Marine Conservation Science Coordinator, WWF-Indonesia
Email: [email protected]; Hp: +62812 9541 624
•    Noverica Widjojo, SBS Communication & Campaign Coordinator, WWF-Indonesia
Email: [email protected], Hp: +62812 1958 1985