The Working Group Establishment Letter became a reference for the parties to struggle, move together, go through stage by stage to finalize the Management and Zoning Plan (RPZ) document. Here, the role of partnership is so thickly felt. The West Kalimantan Marine and Fisheries Service (DKP) in fact only has a budget for the preparation of 1 RPZ document, namely the Paloh KKP3K. The partnership commitment encourages the presence of budgeting at the Pontianak Coastal and Marine Resource Management Center (BPSPL) to provide support for the preparation of RPZs in the other 4 MPAs.

All parties in the Working Group (Pokja) provided support based on their main tasks and functions. Likewise, the WWF Indonesia Foundation also contributed to providing technical assistance and mentoring to the West Kalimantan DKP, BPSPL Pontianak and the Pokja Team. This technical assistance targets 5 conservation areas in West Kalimantan, namely: Paloh, Kubu Raya, Kayong Utara, Randayan and Ketapang.

In addition to providing capacity building support in spatial and non-spatial analysis, WWF Indonesia Foundation also provided training on academic paper writing and spatial analysis assistance on September 9-13, 2019. This activity involved experts and the Working Group Team with the Paloh KKP3K case study.

Stage by stage, WWF tries to bring learning, experience and skills from previous processes in other places. The MPA team provided technical support and analysis for the zoning of the Paloh Coastal Park MPA. Providing recommendations on the choice of scenarios for zoning based on scientific data and existing conditions. Also actively involved in providing technical support for the preparation of RPZ documents in the area.

Hope is getting closer to becoming real. The preparation of the final RPZ documents for 5 Marine Protected Areas in West Kalimantan has been completed. The process of submitting documents from the Working Group Team to DKP West Kalimantan was carried out on December 16 and 27, 2019. Followed by a letter from the Governor of West Kalimantan to the Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, dated January 15, 2020, regarding the request for the establishment of 5 MPAs in West Kalimantan.

The process continues, the ball moves from the province to the center. Like a football match, the position of the ball is currently in the attacking third of the field. Hopefully, the tactics will result in a goal and victory.

The Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) started the evaluation process on April 20, 2020. Through online media, KKP invited DKP of West Kalimantan Province, BPSPL Pontianak and Pokja to discuss the revision of RPZ documents. KKP3K Paloh had minor revisions to the zoning area and zone rules.

Map adjustments were completed. The MPA team did their job perfectly. The site team worked hard to coordinate intensively. It's time to wait, when strategy and tactics result in victory.

Hope came true. The long journey ended beautifully. After 11 years of winding struggle, on September 22, 2020, the Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries of the Republic of Indonesia signed the Decree of Paloh MPA Designation along with the Decree of Mapping 4 other marine protected areas in West Kalimantan. Thus, West Kalimantan officially has 5 marine protected areas today.

The effort to protect sea turtles in Paloh has entered a new phase. But the process is not over yet, and it will never be. There are still many challenges that need to be faced. But steps are no longer ambiguous, the Decree of Determination is a reference for partners to collaborate in encouraging effective management. Hopefully, efforts to provide the greatest conservation benefits to the community can be realized soon. Spirit!