Efforts to ensure the sustainability of marine resources can no longer be undertaken through fragmented approaches. A comprehensive, data-driven strategy that actively engages multiple stakeholders is essential. This principle underpins the implementation of the Facilitation of Baseline Study, Multi-Stakeholder Consultation, and Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM) Seminar in the Jeen Womom Coastal Park, Tambrauw Regency, Southwest Papua.

The initiative forms part of the Coastal Fisheries Initiative (CFI) Indonesia, a collaborative programme between WWF US, serving as the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Agency, and Indonesia’s Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (MMAF). Running from 2019 to 2026, the programme promotes the adoption of the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM) as a foundation for sustainable fisheries governance. The approach emphasises a balanced integration of ecological, social, economic, and institutional dimensions as its key component.

A Strategic Area with Strong Local Wisdom

Jeen Womom Coastal Park is not only an area of significant fisheries potential but also the living space of Indigenous communities whose livelihoods have long depended on marine resources. Traditional resource-management practices passed down through generations are inherently aligned with sustainability principles. However, growing pressure on natural resources and evolving socio-economic conditions have created the need for a more structured, adaptive, and evidence-based management system.

A strategic area enriched by local wisdom – the sasi of Warmadi Village, documented during the field precondition assessment conducted as part of the Facilitation of Baseline Study, Multi-Stakeholder Consultation, and Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM) Seminar in Jeen Womom Coastal Park, Tambrauw Regency, Southwest Papua.

In this context, it is vital to compile baseline data covering the area's biophysical conditions, the community socio-economic characteristics, institutional aspects, and existing local knowledge practices. This information serves as the foundation for designing targeted management policies that are responsive to local realities.

Building the Foundation: From Precondition Assessment to Collective Agreement

Before collecting data and having multi-stakeholder consultations, the implementation team—comprising academics from the Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Science, University of Papua (UNIPA), WWF Indonesia, and Pioneer Tanah Papua—conducted a field precondition assessment.

Preparation of the survey team during the field precondition assessment for the Facilitation of Baseline Study, Multi-Stakeholder Consultation, and Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM) Seminar in Jeen Womom Coastal Park, Tambrauw Regency, Southwest Papua.

This stage is not merely about technical preparation, but also about building trust with the local communities. The engagement process applied the principles of Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC), locally known as PADIATAPA—consent that is provided voluntarily, based on adequate information, and free from coercion.

Preconditioning activities were carried out in three villages—Resye and Womom in Tobouw District, and Syukwo in Abun District. The team engaged directly with key stakeholders, including village heads, customary leaders, religious leaders, and representatives of fishers and youth groups.

However, field implementation did not proceed without challenges.

Field Challenges: Weather Conditions, Social Dynamics, and Infrastructure Constraints

Reaching the project sites presented the first major challenge. Adverse weather conditions delayed vessel departures from Manokwari, requiring adjustments to the planned activity schedule. Logistics were further complicated by the fact that most villages are accessible only by sea.

Upon arrival in Resye Village, the team encountered additional social challenges. Ongoing elementary school examinations required the involvement of many community members, particularly women, in supporting activities. At the same time, a period of mourning following the passing of a village resident affected community participation in the meetings.

The preconditioning survey was conducted as part of the Facilitation of the Baseline Study, Multi-Stakeholder Consultation, and Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM) Seminar in the Jeen Womom Coastal Park area, Tambrauw Regency, Southwest Papua.

Rather than insisting on formal meetings at the village hall, the team adopted a more flexible approach by conducting door-to-door visits. This method proved effective in communicating the objectives of the initiative while fostering more personal engagement with community members.

A similar approach was applied in Womom and Syukwo villages. In Syukwo, meetings were even held in the evening at the village hall to ensure that all stakeholders could participate in the consensus-building process.

A Key Outcome: Collective Commitment and Social Legitimacy

One of the most significant outcomes of the preconditioning phase was the successful establishment of a shared agreement, formalized through signed meeting records endorsed by community representatives from all three villages.

The preconditioning survey was conducted as part of the Facilitation of the Baseline Study, Multi-Stakeholder Consultation, and Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM) Seminar in the Jeen Womom Coastal Park area, Tambrauw Regency, Southwest Papua.

More than a procedural requirement, this agreement represents a critical form of social legitimacy. It demonstrates that local communities not only aware of the initiative but also support and are prepared to actively participate in the forthcoming EAFM-based fisheries performance assessment process.

In addition, each village has designated community representatives who will serve as local enumerators responsible for collecting fisheries data, including information on fishers and fish catches.

Towards Data-Driven and Collaborative Fisheries Governance

Although field implementation continues to face constraints—including further delays related to funding issues and technical challenges such as network connectivity for geotagged documentation— the initial foundation has been successfully established.

The next step is to carry out the baseline study, multi-stakeholder consultations, and the EAFM seminar, bringing together local government agencies, academics, Indigenous Peoples, and civil society organizations in an inclusive dialogue platform.

This process is expected to foster a shared understanding among stakeholders, strengthen their capacities, and generate strategic recommendations to support more sustainable fisheries management.

Strong Support from GEF-6 CFI Indonesia

The GEF-6 CFI Indonesia Programme provides tangible support for the implementation of the Blue Economy policy promoted by the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (MMAF), particularly in efforts to expand the coverage and enhance the effectiveness of marine and coastal protected area management. This support has been realized through the implementation of the Facilitation of the Baseline Study, Multi-Stakeholder Consultation, and Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM) Seminar in the Jeen Womom Coastal Park, Tambrauw Regency, Southwest Papua Province.

This activity builds upon an initiative launched in the previous year that focused on strengthening coastal area governance through an ecosystem-based approach. The effort is also aligned with the implementation of Indonesia’s national instrument, the Conservation Area Management Effectiveness Evaluation (Evika), developed by MMAF to measure the performance of conservation area management across the country.

Adipati Rahmat, Project Manager of the PMU GEF-6 CFI Indonesia, emphasised that improving Evika scores is one of the programme’s key objectives. “CFI Indonesia is committed to supporting the Government of Indonesia in enhancing the effectiveness of conservation area management nationwide. Achieving this objective represents one of the primary outputs of the ongoing project,” he stated.

Through the integration of the EAFM and the strengthening of evaluation systems such as Evika, conservation area management is expected not only to become more measurable, but also to generate tangible benefits for the sustainability of coastal ecosystems and the well-being of communities that depend on them.

From Local Action to Global Impact

The work being carried out in Jeen Womom demonstrates that marine resource management cannot be separated from its local context. Indigenous knowledge, when combined with scientific approaches and policy support, can serve as a powerful foundation for safeguarding the sustainability of coastal ecosystems.

By adopting a participatory, data-driven approach that respects the rights of Indigenous Peoples, this initiative contributes not only to fisheries management in Tambrauw but also to broader global efforts to conserve marine biodiversity.

The progress achieved in these three villages represents an important step toward a more sustainable coastal future—one in which the ocean continues to serve as a source of livelihoods and well-being, rather than merely a resource for exploitation.