Kepulauan Seribu National Marine Park

Established in 1982, Indonesia's first national marine park covers a chain of more than 100 coral islands which stretch northwards from Jakarta Bay. The islands and extensive reefs are home to many fish and mollusc species. Marine turtles nest on the northern outskirts of this chain. Jakarta's mascot, the Brahminy kite, is found here as are many other sea birds.

The presence of a relatively large local population as well as the interest in maintaining some islands for tourism purposes has led this park to implement a zoning system to regulate compatible uses. The zones have created different categories for use, f rom core conservation zones which may not be disturbed at all, to protected zones allowing limited use, and intensive use zones and buffer areas where economic activities are allowed, including tourism and fishing.

Despite this, the park's proximity to Jakarta has left it open to problems caused by ship discharge, garbage dumping, pollution, over-fishing, reef-blasting, and dredging. Besides, inappropriate exploitation of land within the park continues to threaten t he area.

For WWF, the park is a strategic place from which to address general marine conservation issues in Indonesia among key groups. Its activities here have concentrated on encouraging conservation education and awareness among local residents and target audi ances, such as school children, teachers and park rangers, who visit the park from outside.

WWF has provided assistance in preparing field guides and educational materials and in developing a Marine Conservation Information Center on Pramuka Island. It has also been involved in training park staffs from several of Indonesia's maritime protected areas, developing and disseminating a code of conduct for divers and other visitors to the park, and monitoring coral reefs and marine turtle nests.

It has helped in the development of an integrated coastal management plan for Jakarta Bay. It is also exploring alternative income sources for local fishermen who are now involved in the destructive practices of cyanide fishing and fish bombing in order t o meet the demand for ornamental aquarium fish.


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