By Masayu Yulien Vinanda (Translation by Stella-Juergen Freund)
 
Jakarta (06/07)-As a group of islands in the eastern side of Banda Sea, Kei Kecil plays an important role in underpinning the sustainability of the world's ecosystem. This irrefutable fact emerges when considering the island as one of the major feeding grounds for leatherback turtles (Dermochelys coriacea ) in the Pacific Ocean. A landmark study of leatherback turtles nesting in the North Coast of West Papua (Abun) identifies that the migration route of those endangered species reaches to Kei Kecil. The seasonal abundance of brown large jellyfish (sea nettles) around he islands has attracted this world’s largest sea turtle to find food.

However those wides-ranging marine turtle species travelled to Kei Kecil, they are not free of the threats. Forest clearance near the nesting beaches is one of them. In addition to that, its long-distance migrations are likely to increase the risk that these spesies may be caught in fishing gear. Fishing activities that are often overlapped with turtles feeding ground have even worsen the condition,. Several decades ago the hunting of turtle meat for traditional ceremonies also was recorded as one of the factors causing the decreased population of this endangered spesies. However, the practice has now been somewhat reduced.

According to WWF-Indonesia Marine Species Specialist Creusa Hitipeuw, since 2004, WWF in a collaboration with SIRaN Foundation (local NGO)and technical support from SWFC and NOAA Fisheries Polytechnic in Langgur, has conducted a number of campaign and activities building public awareness about the critical status of the Pacific leatherback sea turtles. In addition to that, WWF- SIRaN initiative was also undertaken to resonate the importance of conservation efforts of leatherback turtles among of the indigenous people Nu Fit, in Kei Kecil, building their understanding that the survival of leatherback turtles is essential to ensure the existence of their cultural tradition.

The startup of the project focusing on the community awareness on leatherback turtle conservation and was funded by Western Pacific Fisheries Management Council and SWFC NOAA. The development of district based MPA started in 2009 with funding support from USAID Coral Triangle Support Partnership and Marine Protected Areas Governance (MPAG).

""To reduce turtle mortality from over-exploitation WWF encourages non-extractive practices such as ecotourism in the context of marine protected area management, including demonstrating sustainable use of the marine resources among the indigenous communities which incorporates the ecological aspect and the people’s needs. Promoting sustainable fishing practices and nesting area management is also essential,"" said Creusa.

WWF’s long journey in conserving leatherback turtles has finally reached a cheering result. On Thursday, July 6, 2012, Kei Kecil was designated as the new Marine Protected Areas (MPA / Marine Protected Area) through a joint declaration by the Regent of Southeast Maluku Anderias Rentanubun,and 3 Ratschap Chiefs (indigenous leaders king),. This important moment was also witnessed by Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Republic of Indonesia Sharif C. Sutardjo, Deputy Administrator of USAID Donald Steinberg, and Ambassador of the United States to Indonesia, Amb. Scot Marciel.

The designation of Kei Kecil as the new MPA is part of the USAID’s MPAG Program aiming to support the Government of Indonesia establish and effectively manage 20 million hectares of ocean and coastal resources. Program activities such as MPAG are implemented through a consortium of NGOs consisting the Conservation International (CI), Coral Triangle Center (CTC), The Nature Conservancy (TNC), Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and WWF Indonesia.MPAG technical support not only focuses on the preparation of the Management Plan and Zonation, but also strengthening local capacities in managing protected areas. Indigeneous leaders also involved intensively in order to ensure the island’s management mange to provide benefits for local communities.

""Determination of Kei Kecil as new MPA is priceless support for South Maluku government program to conserve the western part of Kei Kecil and the surrounding marine area of 150,000 ha. In the future, I hope that this commitment would contribute to the conservation secure of leatherback turtles as well as to secure local livelihoods ""said the Regent, Anderias Rentanubun.

Contact: Creusa Hitipeuw, Marine Species Conservation Coordinator, chitipeuw@wwf.or.id