Author: Novita Eka Syaputri (Sunda Banda Seascape Communication and Campaign Assistant, WWF-Indonesia)

WWF-Indonesia and the Maritime and Fisheries Research and Development Agency - Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (Balitbangkan - KKP) on March 14-15, 2016 conducted a mini workshop involving all research teams and practitioners on the Southwest Maluku Expedition (#XPDCMBD). The mini workshop was held to verify the findings related to ecological, socio-economic conditions, as well as the utilization and governance of marine resources, as well as to formulate marine management options that are suitable for the Southwest Maluku Regency.

Head of the Fisheries Research and Development Center (Puslitbangkan), Balitbangkan - KKP Prof. Dr. Hari Eko Irianto at the opening of this workshop said that he hopes that the report from this expedition can document the wealth of fisheries resources and socio-economics in Maluku Barat Daya.

In the two-day mini workshop held at the office of the Fisheries Research and Development Center of the KKP's Marine and Fisheries Research and Development Agency, Ancol Timur, several major themes were discussed, namely the condition of coral reef ecosystems and pennant species (ecology), socio-economic conditions, marine resource utilization, and marine resource governance. Many interesting facts and important suggestions were presented by each team. The ecology team in its presentation explained that in general the condition of coral reefs in the waters of Southwest Maluku is still in good condition. In addition, the waters of Southwest Maluku are also the location of marine mammal migration corridors. In terms of socio-economy, culture in Southwest Maluku, such as sasi can apparently be integrated into a formal form of resource management that involves community participation. In addition to these facts, there are also some problems that become challenges in managing the Southwest Maluku region in the future. For example, the abundant fishery resources are not supported by adequate facilities and infrastructure, such as the availability of markets, ice cubes, transportation, etc. so that the utilization is not optimal. Based on the existing facts, all experts then identified several marine area management options that are most suitable for Southwest Maluku Regency. One of the things that was agreed upon by the participants of this activity was the need to increase community knowledge and expertise in resource management, especially marine and fisheries.

The inputs and problems presented during the two days yesterday will be elaborated in an expedition report which will later be forwarded to the government of Maluku Barat Daya Regency, Maluku Province, to the national level. Of course, it is hoped that the suggested recommendations for area and fisheries management can be adopted in accordance with the government's authority. Appropriate and targeted regional and fisheries management is needed to maximize the resource potential of the Southwest Maluku Regency and Maluku Province which are projected to become "National Fish Barns". In addition, it is also to realize the target of the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries to establish 20 million hectares of Maluku Marine Protected Areas by 2020.

Head of the Marine Fisheries Resource Management Research Group, Puslitbangkan - KKP Drs. Bambang Sumiono, M.Si in the closing of the mini workshop expressed his gratitude to WWF-Indonesia for initiating the rapid survey activities of the Southwest Maluku Expedition which is rarely done and involves various disciplines. He also said that currently the KKP is actively identifying the potential and challenges to advance the frontier areas, the Southwest Maluku region is one of them. Therefore, the results of this rapid survey are very important as a matter of policy consideration later.

Overview of #XPDCMBD

On November 1-15, 2015, WWF-Indonesia and a joint research team from the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP), Southwest Maluku Marine and Fisheries Service (DKP), Pattimura University (Unpatti), Bogor Agricultural University (IPB), WWF-Indonesia, and Wildlife Conservation Society-Indonesia Program conducted a rapid survey of ecology, social, and fisheries in the Southwest Maluku region. This rapid survey aims to collect important data and information related to ecological, social and fisheries conditions, which are useful in designing efforts to manage Indonesia's Marine Protected Areas and support sustainable fisheries practices.

Follow the story of the #XPDCMBD team's journey in conducting a rapid survey of resources, fisheries, ecology and socio-economics in the waters of the Southwest Maluku Regency at http://www.wwf.or.id/xpdcmbd.