By: Izaak S. Angwarmasse (Marine and Fisheries Service of East Nusa Tenggara Province)

In the management of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in recent years, there is one issue that has emerged, namely the enactment of Law Number 23 of 2014 concerning Regional Government, which provides for the transfer of authority to manage MPAs to the Provincial Government. Previously, the authority was in the hands of the Regency Government.

This also happened to the Pantar Strait and Surrounding Sea Natural Reserve (SAP) and East Flores SAP. The management of these two areas moved from the District Governments of Alor and East Flores to the Provincial Government of East Nusa Tenggara (NTT).

In de facto, this transfer process has occurred. However, in terms of de jure, the management of these two marine protected areas has not gone well. This is due to the limitations of the East Nusa Tenggara Provincial Government to create a management institution such as a Regional Technical Implementation Unit (UPTD). Currently, the management of the two conservation areas is under the Conservation and Rehabilitation Section of the Marine and Fisheries Service of NTT Province.

Addressing this condition, ideally, the Provincial Government of East Nusa Tenggara and the District Governments of Alor and East Flores need to synergize in the management of the two MPAs through a review of the Zoning and Management Plan (RPZ) documents.

This is where the findings of #XPDCALORFLOTIM become very important and significant. The data from this expedition will enrich the review of the RPZ document.

The synergy of the NTT Provincial Government and the District Governments of Alor and East Flores in reviewing this RPZ document, will be the initial capital to manage the two areas for the better in the coming years. This is none other than to increase the income of the surrounding community so that they feel that "Aquatic Conservation for the Future" is not just jargon.

I never tire of inviting colleagues, let's unite to manage marine protected areas to maintain biodiversity and the beauty of the coast and sea. Do not let this wealth only become a bedtime story for our children and grandchildren in the future.

Make them proud to be born in Flobamora, which has biodiversity and extraordinary coastal and marine beauty.