Indonesia creates marine conservation zone in Maluku
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Indonesia designated the TNS Islands as a marine conservation zone in the Maluku province.
Koswara, Director General of Marine Spatial Management, said this action helps Indonesia work toward protecting 30 percent of its marine territory by 2045. The Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries formalized the zone through Decree No. 67/2026, issued on September 2, 2026.
The TNS Conservation Area protects important habitats like coral reefs and seagrass beds, which function as breeding grounds for fish and a habitat for hammerhead sharks. Firdaus Agung, Director of Ecosystem Conservation, explained that local authorities will manage the area with help from communities and partner organizations through a Regional Technical Implementation Unit. Establishing the zone involved surveys of the area’s physical environment, economy, and culture, along with discussions with the public.
Erawan Asikin, head of the Maluku Marine Affairs and Fisheries Agency, noted that the government consulted with the Latupati Council of Maluku customary rulers, landowners, community leaders, and local fishers to gain their input. The conservation area is intended to support both ecological health and local economies through sustainable fisheries and tourism.
