By: Rafika Puspita Army (Writer and Documentary Assistant, WWF-Indonesia Inner Banda Arc Sub-seascape)

For quite a long time, WWF-Indonesia Inner Banda Arc Seascape (IBAS) program has collaborated with the East Seram Regency Government in the management of marine protected areas in Koon Island and its surroundings. Dependence on the source of life from the wealth of natural resources is increasingly attached to the people who live on Koon Island, Geser District, East Seram Regency, which is under the auspices of the King Kataloka petuanan.

Not only with the local government, since 2010, WWF-Indonesia together with the indigenous people of Petuanan Negeri Kataloka have also agreed to manage conservation areas in Gorom Island District, East Seram. The local government also supports the management of this area through the East Seram Regent Decree No. 523/189/KEP/2011 concerning the Reserve of Neiden Island and Koon Island Waters as a marine conservation area.

This conservation effort, of course, will reap optimal results when we go hand in hand - with the community, and the local government. So, ahead of the annual agenda of Development Plan Deliberation (Musrenbang), WWF-Indonesia visited the Regional Work Unit (SKPD) Office of East Seram Regency, on March 15-16, 2017. Besides as a form of strengthening partners, the discussion visits to government agencies are carried out to synergize government programs with WWF-Indonesia.

The fast boat Cantika Express was our choice to dock at Bula, a small town on the eastern tip of Seram Island. In two hours, we crossed from Masohi harbor to Amahai, followed by an eight-hour road trip to Bula, the center of this district government.

The East Seram Regional Planning and Development Agency (Bappeda) was our first destination the next day (15/03). We came to exchange innovative ideas which were warmly welcomed by the head of Bappeda and all his staff.

"Starting from 2016-2019, the management and utilization of coastal resources is the basis of WWF's work. Maluku Province will contribute 5% of the national target of conservation areas. We will jointly realize responsible marine tourism and fisheries by considering the carrying capacity," said Andreas Hero Ohoiulun, Project Leader WWF IBAS in front of the Bappeda staff.

Koon Island and its surroundings will be encouraged to become a national and even international icon. This location can be a stopover for cruise ships before docking at the final destination, Raja Ampat. This location is indeed known for its exotic coral reefs and spawning sites (aggregation site) for fish.

So far, the LGU's performance has focused on improving infrastructure for more efficient distribution of biological resource sales. The existence of habitat degradation and declining fish biomass has not been fully realized by the government. Visiting the East Seram Marine and Fisheries Service (DKP) on the next day, WWF-Indonesia expressed its support for the optimization of programs and the development of infrastructure for capture fisheries and aquaculture, especially Gorom Island.

Virgin stock estimation in fisheries activities is an alternative to realize responsible and sustainable fisheries. Virgin stock is the biomass when no utilization has occurred. The application of the green and everlasting principle in the management and utilization of biological resources is needed to increase regional income, especially in the field of fisheries and marine tourism.

To realize all this, we really have to sit together and walk hand in hand - not only during this two-day visit, but in the days - and years - to come.