World Environment Day on June 5 and World Oceans Day on June 8 remind us that our planet's future depends on sustainable resource management. Amid rising climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution, countries strive to balance economic development with environmental health. Celebrating these days requires tangible action to protect oceans, conserve biodiversity, and enhance coastal community well-being.

Maluku Province, a vital part of the Coral Triangle rich in biodiversity like coral reefs and mangroves, requires active marine ecosystem preservation to secure both global sustainability and coastal livelihoods. Consequently, collaboration among the government, academia, communities, and development organizations continues to expand to maintain the health of these critical marine environments.

In recent years, the Global Environment Facility Coastal Fisheries Initiative (GEF-6 CFI) Indonesia programme has played a significant role in supporting ecosystem-based fisheries management and sustainable coastal economic development. One of its major achievements has been facilitating the establishment of three marine protected areas in Buru Regency, South Buru Regency, and East Seram Regency.

Through Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries Decrees No. 69, 70, and 71 of 2025, the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries designated three new marine protected areas in Maluku, covering a total area of approximately 298,585 hectares. These areas include the Buru Waters 57,594 hectares), the South Buru Waters (51,115 hectares), and the East Seram Waters (189,875 hectares). Of the total area, more than 4,300 hectares have been designated as core zones to safeguard critical habitats and important ecosystems.

The designated conservation targets focus on safeguarding vital coastal ecosystems, including mangroves, seagrass beds, coral reefs, and sea turtle nesting sites. This initiative marks a significant milestone in preserving coastal environments, supporting sustainable fisheries management, and reinforcing food security as well as economic resilience for the communities of South Buru.

By protecting critical habitats like coral reefs, mangroves, seagrass, and sea turtle nesting sites, this conservation area was established through a participatory approach involving local communities to ensure its success. Experience shows that effectively managed areas enhance fisheries productivity by safeguarding spawning and nursery grounds, which ultimately improves catches in surrounding waters. Therefore, conservation should not be viewed as a restriction on resource use, but rather as a long-term investment that builds both environmental sustainability and economic resilience.

However, the establishment of a conservation area is only the first step. The next challenge is to ensure that the area can be managed effectively and sustainably. To address this need, GEF-6 CFI Indonesia has facilitated the establishment of a Regional Technical Implementation Unit (UPTD) for Conservation Area Management within the Maluku Provincial Marine and Fisheries Service.

This effort reached a significant milestone when the Ministry of Home Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia issued Letter No. 100.2.2.6/1186/OTDA dated 9 April 2026 concerning the Recommendation for the Establishment of the Conservation Area Management UPTD under the Maluku Provincial Marine and Fisheries Service. The recommendation represents an important step forward in strengthening conservation area governance and demonstrates the central government's commitment to sustainable marine resource management.

Adipati Rahmat, Project Manager of the GEF-6 CFI Indonesia PMU, emphasized that the establishment of the UPTD is a strategic measure to ensure the long-term sustainability of conservation area management in Maluku. According to him, the UPTD will serve as a critical foundation for strengthening conservation area governance, safeguarding coastal and marine ecosystems, and ensuring that the benefits of conservation are delivered sustainably to coastal communities.

In addition to strengthening institutional capacity, GEF-6 CFI Indonesia is also promoting innovative conservation financing through the development of a Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) mechanism. This mechanism enables beneficiaries of ecosystem services to provide compensation to those who protect, conserve, and maintain ecosystem functions.

Coastal ecosystems protect shorelines, store blue carbon, and support fisheries alongside tourism. To fund their protection, GEF-6 CFI Indonesia and BRIN developed a Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) scheme in Maluku. Designed as a national pilot, this initiative aims to create a self-sustaining conservation financing system. This PES approach aligns with ecosystem-based fisheries management, empowering local residents by transforming environmental conservation from a financial burden into an economic opportunity. Ultimately, the program rewards coastal communities for their vital role in safeguarding marine ecosystems, ensuring long-term ecological health and economic resilience.

In the context of World Environment Day and World Oceans Day, the various initiatives emerging in Maluku demonstrate that environmental protection and economic development can go hand in hand. The establishment of conservation areas, the strengthening of management institutions, and the development of PES schemes demonstrate how efforts to conserve biodiversity, enhance ecosystem resilience, and improve community well-being can be pursued simultaneously.

Maluku's experience demonstrates that effective conservation requires protecting critical areas through strong institutions, innovative financing, and community-centered implementation. By strengthening conservation areas, establishing UPTDs, and developing PES mechanisms, environmental protection transforms into an investment that delivers simultaneous ecological, social, and economic benefits. Amid growing global environmental challenges, this local action offers hope for far-reaching impacts. Ultimately, safeguarding Maluku’s seas secures the future of Indonesia's coastal communities while significantly contributing to global efforts for ocean health and environmental sustainability.

Supported by a GEF-6 CFI Indonesia grant, Maluku’s DKP, MoHA, and partners conducted a facility visitation to Ay and Rhun Islands. This strategic step accelerates UPTD establishment, shifting the conservation paradigm from a cost center into a benefit center for coastal communities' economies.