Ambon, November 14, 2025- The Government of Indonesia, through the Decree of the Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries of the Republic of Indonesia Number 69 of 2025, officially established a Conservation Area in the Waters of Buru Island, Buru Regency, Maluku Province, with a total area of 57,594.12 hectares. The coast of Buru Island, especially in Fena Leisela Sub-district, is one of the largest leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) nesting areas in Indonesia. This designation marks a strategic step in efforts to protect Indonesia's marine biodiversity.

The protection of leatherback turtles in Buru has a global conservation impact, as satellite tagging data shows their migrations can reach as far as the west coast of the United States and Madagascar. Along with Jeen Womom in Southwest Papua, Buru is one of two major leatherback turtle nesting beaches in Indonesia that have now been designated as conservation areas, supported by WWF-Indonesia, local communities and stakeholders.

The conservation area in Buru Waters is designated as Taman di Perairan Buru and consists of two main zones: a core zone of 608.91 hectares and a restricted utilisation zone of 56,985.21 hectares. Through management to be carried out by the Maluku Provincial Government, the area is expected to become a model for sustainable and community-based water management.

Head of Maluku Province Marine and Fisheries Agency, Dr. Ir. Erawan Asikin, M.Si, expressed his appreciation for this designation: "The designation of the Buru Island conservation area is an important milestone for Maluku in safeguarding our marine ecosystem and fisheries resources. This area not only protects important habitats such as coral reefs and sea turtles, but also becomes the foundation for the development of a blue economy and the welfare of coastal communities in a sustainable manner," said Erawan in Ambon.

"In addition, the establishment of Conservation Areas in Buru Waters is also important to support the sustainability of fisheries in Maluku Province, which is included in Fisheries Management Area (WPP) 715, which, in the Measured Fishing program, is designated as a fishing industry zone through spill over seeds from the area," he continued.

Meanwhile, WWF-Indonesia, as a technical partner in the process of drafting and assisting the establishment of this conservation area, emphasised its commitment to continue to support the strengthening of regional capacity in the management of conservation areas.

"WWF-Indonesia congratulates the Maluku Provincial Government on the establishment of the Conservation Area in Buru Waters. This designation can be an inspiration for other districts in Indonesia in their efforts to protect marine species with a critical status, such as the leatherback turtle. The designation of conservation areas in Buru is a tangible result of joint work based on scientific data and multi-stakeholder collaboration to ensure the protection of important habitats for other marine species," said Dr. Imam Musthofa Zainudin, Director of WWF-Indonesia's Marine and Fisheries Program.

Since 2017, WWF-Indonesia has been supporting the initiation of Conservation Area Designation in Buru Waters. The support in the form of facilities and capacity building is provided to the Sugiraja Watulu community watch group (Pokmaswas) to be able to record and monitor leatherback turtle nesting beaches, especially in the Fena Leisela District.

The activeness of Pokmaswas (Community Supervisory Group) Sugiraja Watulu is proof that in the last five years, the average number of leatherback turtle nests in Fena Leisela reached 199 nests. The rate of sea turtle nest theft, which previously reached 94%, has now dropped dramatically to 0% in 2024. This proves that the turtle conservation program in Fena Leisela is starting to have a positive impact on the survival of leatherback turtles.

The establishment of a Conservation Area in the Waters of Buru Island is clear evidence of the commitment of the Maluku Provincial Government and conservation partners in maintaining the sustainability of Maluku's marine resources. This area is expected not only to be a stronghold for the conservation of leatherback turtles and coastal ecosystems, but also a real example of how conservation can go hand in hand with improving the welfare of coastal communities and strengthening the blue economy in the Maluku Province region.

This step also supports the Indonesian government's target of 30x45, which refers to the "MPA & OECM Vision 30x45", the target of expanding marine protected areas to 30% of Indonesia's total water area by 2045. This is equivalent to approximately 97.5 million hectares. The goal is to protect marine biodiversity, ensure fisheries sustainability, and contribute to global targets in biodiversity conservation.

Documentation: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1wWemfwYr73t3_QSwpengyPAAbGCe7qsN?usp=sharing

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For more information:

Karina Lestiarsi, Communication Officer

klestiarsi@wwf.id | 0852-1816-1683

About WWF Indonesia Foundation

WWF-Indonesia is a civil society organisation with a local legal entity and a global network, supported by more than 100,000 supporters. Our mission is to stop the degradation of the earth’s natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature by conserving the world's biological diversity, ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable, and promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption. 

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