The Government of Indonesia in June 2015 declared the Pantar Straits and surrounding oceans in Alor District, East Nusa Tenggara as Marine Protected Area (MPA). This gives a new status for the protection of marine area rich with coral diversity, fisheries and potential livelihoods for the coastal community inhibits in the archipelago.

The area of 276,693 ha stretches from the island of Alor, the island of Pantar and the small island of Rusa bordering with Alor Straits. Since 2009, the District Government of Alor made a bold move in reserving the area for MPA, acknowledging themselves as one of the archipelagic district in the country. Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries presented an award to the District of Alor in 2014 for their effectiveness in managing conservation in Pantar Straits effectively and also was declared as the National Pilot of Conservation Area.

Protection of this area has a high potential in contributing to the livelihood of community of more than 4400 households living in 97 villages within the boundary of the MPA.

Pantar Strait are famous with upwelling almost happen along the year bring the nutrients very dynamic that make this areas as ones of the most important fishing ground especially for pelagic fisheries. This area also rich with coral species, marine species specifically cetaceans is also known as a world-class diving site. Whale, dolphins and turtles are known crossing this new MPA when they are migrating.

WWF together with the local government are able to continue preventing the over exploitation and destructive fishing practices threatening the area for many years WWF has been working with the local government and community since 2006, through conservation effective management, fisheries improvement program (FIP), indigeneous community conserved area (ICCA) and ecotourism