WWF-Indonesia Tel : +62 21 7829461 Fax: +62 21 7829462 Graha Simatupang Tower 2C Lt.7-11 www.wwf.or.id Jl. TB Simatupang Kav.38 Jakarta Selatan 12540 Indonesia PRESS RELEASE March 11, 2014 WWF’ Expedition to Solor-Alor: Identifying Baseline Data to Assess the Effectiveness of Marine Protected Area Alor, East Nusa Tenggara – In the next three weeks, from March 13 to April 2, 2014, WWF-Indonesia will lead a marine expedition team to two marine protected areas in Alor and East Flores, East Nusa Tenggara. The expedition aims to collect baseline data on the effectiveness of marine conservation areas in protecting fish populations and hard coral cover in the two regions. Marine and Fisheries Research Agency-Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, Alor and East Flores Fisheries Offices, and Indonesian Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) also participate on the expedition. Protected areas are established as part of strong management tools worldwide. The areas however have several variations regarding social and ecological objectives. Through the Solor-Alor expedition, it is hoped that the effectiveness of marine conservation areas in protecting biodiversity, natural environment, and occupant ecosystems can be identified and the positive impacts on local communities can be measured. Alor marine reserve with a total area of 400,080 hectares was established by Alor regent in 2010, and the marine area in East Flores Regency that covers 150,000 hectare areas has been reserved since 2013 by East Flores regent to be designated as marine protected areas, providing lasting protection for part or all of the natural and cultural resources therein. Both areas are known with their high biodiversity, enormous fisheries potentials, and their marine tourism. The healthy marine ecosystems have attracted many fishers form outside the areas, which increases the pressure to natural resources in the regions. “The establishment of Alor and East Flores marine protected areas is an appropriate management strategy, because ecologically both locations are part of National Marine Conservation Zone (Kawasan Konservasi Perairan Nasional/KKPN) of Sawu Sea even though they are not within the same jurisdiction as that of Sawu Sea,” explained M. Ridha Hakim, Small Islands Partnership and Governance Leader Coral Triangle Program WWF-Indonesia. The management of marine areas encompassing from Alor to East Flores waters will be more effective when both regions are designated to be marine protected areas by applying zoning system in accordance with the existing regulation since the natural resources of both marine areas contribute substantially to the national and local revenues through fishing and tourism sectors, where many people depend on marine resources for their livelihoods (pelagic and reef fish fisheries). These marine protected areas also allow the conservation of numerous species of ocean life such as sea mammals, sea turtles, and manta rays. Riswanto, one of the expedition team members form Recovery Research and Fish Resources Conservation Agency, Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries said that identifying the effectiveness of marine protected areas was crucial to ensure the long term economic benefits safeguarding. “Establishing marine protected areas is not a simple thing, but it is more difficult to identify the effectiveness of the protected areas established,” he added. The expedition team will collect data at almost 80 different spots around Alor, Pantar, Lembata, Adonara, Solor, and some parts of East Flores, both inside and outside marine protected areas. At the end of this year, a similar activity will be conducted to collect baseline data on socio-economy. Through this expedition, it is hoped that the current status of coral reef ecosystems in Alor and East Flores can be identified; information on resource use can be collected along with data on potential threats to the sustainability of fisheries and marine resources. Since Alor waters are also migratory corridors for cetaceans in Indo-Pacific, some recommendations that will be useful for management and conservation of coastal ecosystems in Alor and East Flores marine protected areas can also be developed. -o0o- For more info, please contact: Estradivari, Monitoring Science Coordinator, WWF-Indonesia Email: [email protected]; Mobile: +62 812 9541624 Muhammad Ridha Hakim, Small Islands Partnership and Governance Leader Coral Triangle Program, WWF-Indonesia Email [email protected]; Mobile: +62 811 3823646 Riswanto, Recovery Research and Fish Resources Conservation Agency, Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries of Indonesian Republic Email: [email protected]; Mobile: +62 811 502368 About WWF-Indonesia WWF Indonesia is the largest conservation organization in Indonesia and has begun its activities since 1962. This independent foundation has been registered under Indonesian law since 1998. In total WWF-Indonesia has 28 field offices encompassing areas from Aceh to Papua, supported by more than 400 staff. Since 2006, WWF-Indonesia has collected more than 54,000 supporters spread all over Indonesia. Click here for more detailed information about us and our conservation programs www.wwf.or.id. Solor-Alor Expedition Map*: *Each dot represents two adjacent observation locations. 2 .