January 9, 2026
The area functions as an important migration corridor for marine life
JAKARTA (Jan. 9, 2026) – Indonesia has designated 325,238 hectares of water off West Wetar in Southwest Maluku, eastern Indonesia, as a marine protected area (MPA), adding to the country’s expanding network of protected seas while supporting marine biodiversity and small-scale fisheries.
The designation was formalized through a decree issued by the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries on December 31, 2025. The area, named the West Wetar Marine Park (Taman Perairan Wetar Barat), is the newest MPA established under Indonesia’s national conservation framework and covers waters off Western Wetar and the southern waters of Wetar Island.
The move aligns with global conservation efforts under the United Nations’ 30x30 target, which aims to protect at least 30% of the world’s land and oceans by 2030. Indonesia has adopted a longer-term national target, known as 30x45, committing to protect 30% of its marine areas by 2045. Officials said the Western Wetar designation contributes to both the national roadmap and broader global conservation goals.
The MPA is intended to safeguard high-value marine ecosystems in eastern Indonesia, where coral reefs, seagrass meadows and mangroves support fisheries and marine biodiversity. The Southwest Maluku provincial marine and fisheries office led the designation process with technical support from Konservasi Indonesia, the main national partner of Conservation International, following a multi-year effort that began in 2022.
The process included marine rapid assessments, the development of zoning and management plans and consultations with local communities and government authorities at village, district and provincial levels.
Jimy Kalther, marine ecology manager at Konservasi Indonesia, said the waters around Western Wetar are part of a broader ecological system that includes migration routes for marine megafauna.
“These waters function not only as local habitats, but also as part of an ecological corridor for large marine species,” he said, adding that science-based management is essential to protect those functions.
Marine surveys identified two key fish spawning aggregation sites in the area, including one near Ustutun village on Lirang Island and another near Telemar village, highlighting the area’s importance for sustaining local fisheries.
The marine park also includes an atoll system with healthy coral cover, providing critical habitat for reef fish and contributing to the resilience of the surrounding marine ecosystem. It is designated to protect coral reefs, seagrass beds and mangroves, as well as migration routes used by species such as whale sharks, sperm whales and pygmy blue whales.
About the West Wetar Marine Park
The waters off western Wetar Island, in eastern Indonesia’s Maluku Province, sit within the Lesser Sunda Seascape, a biologically rich region connecting the Indian and Pacific Oceans. The area functions as an important migration corridor for marine megafauna, including whales, dolphins, and other cetaceans that move seasonally across national boundaries between Indonesia and Timor-Leste.
Oceanographic features such as complex seabed topography and strong currents make the region a key habitat for feeding, resting and movement of migratory marine species.
In January 2025, Indonesia officially designated the area as the West Wetar Marine Park under Ministerial Decree No. 89/2025. Covering 322,408 hectares, it is now one of the largest MPAs in Maluku Province and is mandated to be managed by the Maluku Provincial Government.
The MPA includes:
- a 2,726-hectare core zone
- a 322,408-hectare extensive limited-use zones
- a 103-hectare small other-use zone
Preparation for the marine park began in 2022 with a Marine Rapid Appraisal, assessing ecological conditions and socio-economic use of the western Wetar waters. The process was supported by Konservasi Indonesia, working with provincial authorities and local stakeholders to develop zoning and management plans. The policy framework is reinforced by recent field research, highlighting the importance of grounding conservation decisions in ecological data rather than administrative boundaries.
Following the park’s designation, conservation partners plan to support implementation of the management plan, including strengthening local management institutions and ensuring coastal communities benefit from sustainable use of marine resources.
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About Konservasi Indonesia: Konservasi Indonesia is a national foundation that aims to support the sustainable development and protection of critical ecosystems in Indonesia. We believe in the importance of multi-stakeholder partnerships across sectors and jurisdictions. Working in partnership with the government and others, we design and deliver innovative nature-based solutions to climate change, using a sustainable landscapes-seascapes approach to create lasting impacts for people and nature. More information visit: www.konservasi-id.org
About Conservation International: Conservation International protects nature for the benefit of humanity. Through science, policy, fieldwork and finance, we spotlight and secure the most important places in nature for the climate, for biodiversity and for people. With offices in 30 countries and projects in more than 100 countries, Conservation International partners with governments, companies, civil society, Indigenous peoples and local communities to help people and nature thrive together. Go to Conservation.org for more, and follow our work on Conservation News, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, Instagram and YouTube.