Indonesia Faces Challenges in Achieving Fair Management of Seas and Coasts on Small Islands

Indonesia's more than 17,000 islands are not just numbers; they are home to life and ecosystems that need protection. Small and remote islands, in particular, serve as natural barriers against disasters while also being the most vulnerable. M. Abdillah Maulana, a young man from Tanakeke Island in Takalar Regency, South Sulawesi, shared his experiences in managing living spaces and efforts to preserve the coastal and marine areas of his birth island. He feels fortunate that his parents introduced him to island ecosystems like mangroves and seaweed from an early age. "My parents introduced us to planting mangroves and protecting them from an early age. School children were directed to go directly to the island to learn about seagrass meadows and coral reefs," he said. For the youth of Tanakeke, coastal knowledge is a hereditary legacy. In his hometown, residents are still very productive, with approximately 90% of their livelihoods coming from fishing and seaweed farming. The island's primary ecosystems are mangrove forests, seagrass meadows, and coral reefs. "Residents utilize local knowledge such as fish seasons, wind direction, and tidal patterns in their fishing activities. They recognize fish spawning locations that need to be protected," he stated. However, Maulana noted that this does not mean there are no challenges. In recent years, he said, the practice of opening ponds on the coast has posed a threat to the mangrove ecosystem there. As a result, during high tide, seawater increasingly encroaches onto the land. Alief Fachrul Raazy, Program Manager at the Indonesian Marine Conservation Foundation (YKLI), also shared experiences related to community-based coastal and marine space management practices and challenges, especially in urban administrative areas. His organization happens to be assisting residents on several islands. This article was originally published on Mongabay