Across Indonesia, local threats like overfishing and coastal pollution undermine the ability of coral reefs to survive. Within the Lesser Sunda, Bali is a crucial island for protection because of its central location, heavy tourism, and biodiverse coral reefs. We are working with communities to build local financing systems that support management actions across each Local Marine Managment Area in Buleleng and Karangasem and will provide a template for similar systems throughout the region.
The community depends on the reefs for food and their livelihoods. However, the lack of funding to support management and conservation of important Indonesian coral reefs is threatening the communities ability to preserve and protect their reefs and the resources it provides. This project will create a model network of healthy, ecologically connected reefs in North Bali that support local livelihoods and are effectively co-managed by communities and the government.
This project will: -Establish local financing systems to help communities associated with Locally Managed Marine Areas (LMMAs) in Tulamben, Tejukula, and Amed implement and expand their voluntary user-fee systems from pilot to permanent programs. -Help management groups link revenue models to LMMA budgets to determine which management activities the funds should support. -Identify funding gaps, and work with management groups to develop strategies to fill them.
Sustainable financing is critical for the long-term success of marine protected areas. CORAL will work with partners at the local and provincial levels to ensure long-term financing for conservation and management of coral reefs.
