Langgur, Maluku - On October 1-10, 2015, WWF-Indonesia will lead a coral reef expedition team inside and outside the marine conservation area of Kei Kecil Island Park (TPK), Southeast Maluku Regency, Maluku Province. This expedition is the start of a long-term coral reef ecosystem monitoring plan that aims to collect data on the status of coral reefs and evaluate the ecological impacts of the Kei Kecil TPK designation. In addition to WWF-Indonesia, joining the expedition team are researchers from the Southeast Maluku Marine and Fisheries Service (DKP), Pattimura University, Tual State Fisheries Polytechnic, and Reef Check Indonesia Foundation.

Marine protected areas are widely used as a 'tool' for marine area management around the world, but there are many variations in their ecological outcomes. Through this expedition, it is hoped to find out how and when one of Indonesia's marine protected areas can have a positive impact on biodiversity, fisheries and community life. In addition, knowing the status and trends of the coral reef ecosystem on a regular basis can also provide input to managers and related partners in improving the management of the Kei Kecil TPK.

"WWF-Indonesia supports the management of Kei Kecil TPK in Southeast Maluku Regency so that it can continue to support marine biodiversity, while maintaining the condition of marine and coastal ecosystems. Regular observations of coral reefs and community social life need to be carried out both inside and outside the area because it plays an important role for the Indonesian economy, especially in supporting the lives of the majority of coastal communities and national food security," explained Andreas Hero Ohoiulun, WWF-Indonesia's Inner Banda Arc Project Leader.

The expedition team will conduct data collection at 40 points scattered inside and outside the Kei Kecil TPK area, where there are still many irresponsible natural resource utilization practices such as excessive capture and trade of reef fish - grouper, napoleon, and so on - and fishing using explosives or poisons.

TPK Kei Kecil, located in the eastern part of the Banda Sea, is part of the Sunda Banda Seascape (Sunda Banda Seascape), which is included in the World Coral Triangle (Coral Triangle). Its marine ecosystems are crucial to Indonesia's food security from the fisheries sector and the survival of protected marine species such as sea turtles, manta rays, dugongs, and several types of whales.

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Editor's Note:

• The 40-point map of the Kei Kecil Expedition can be downloaded via the link http://bit.ly/petaxpdckei.
• Since 2004, together with the Save Indigenous Rights and Nature (SIRaN) Foundation, WWF-Indonesia has supported the Maluku Provincial Government and the Southeast Maluku Regency Government in conservation efforts in the Kei Kecil Islands.
• In 2012, WWF-Indonesia together with the government, local communities, and experts facilitated the reserve of 150,000 hectares of Kei Kecil TPK which was formalized through the Southeast Maluku Regent Decree No.162 of 2012 concerning the Reserve of Marine Protected Areas of Southeast Maluku Regency.
• In addition to ecosystem monitoring, monitoring of the socio-economic impacts of the establishment and management of the Kei Kecil TPK will also be conducted in January 2016 in collaboration with local universities.

For more information, please contact:

• Estradivari,Marine Conservation ScienceCoordinator, WWF-Indonesia

Email: estradivari@wwf.or.id; Phone: +62 812 9541624

• Noverica Widjojo, SBS Communication & Campaign Coordinator, WWF-Indonesia

Email: nwidjojo@wwf.or.id, Hp: +62 812 19581985