CTI-CFF Moves Closer to Finalizing Region-Wide Marine Protected Area System

The six member states of the Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries and Food Security (CTI-CFF) have laid the foundations for the establishment of a Coral Triangle Marine Protected Area (MPA) System during a workshop held on March 26-30, 2012 in Denpasar, Indonesia. The development of the regional MPA system is one of the five main goals of the CTI and is defined as a comprehensive, ecologically representative, and well-managed region-wide MPA system that is connected, resilient, and sustainably financed. It is designed in ways that generate significant income, livelihoods, and food security benefits for coastal communities, while conserving the region's rich biological diversity.

More than 50 representatives from the Coral Triangle countries and partner organizations gathered for the workshop and formulated a framework for developing and supporting the MPA system. They mapped concrete activities to be undertaken in the next two years to ensure that the MPA system will be fully operational. These activities were also endorsed by the inter-governmental CTI MPA Technical Working Group, convened following the intensive five-day workshop organized by the Indonesia CTI National Coordinating Committee, supported by USAID’s US CTI Support Program.

Caption (Upper right): Workshop participants during the site visit to one of the communities inside the 20,000-hectare Nusa Penida Marine Protected Area. Photo Credit: Hesti Widodo/CTC

Caption (Lower right): School of fish at the Balicasag Marine Sanctuary shows the benefits of an effectively managed MPA. Photo Credit: A. Maypa

To see more photos of the event, follow this link.