cfi-indonesia.id. Indonesia is home to one of the largest wetland ecosystems in the world. Covering approximately 40.5 million hectares, its wetlands include swamps, rivers, lakes, tropical peatlands, and mangrove forests. These ecosystems not only support rich biodiversity but also sustain the livelihoods of millions of coastal communities.

Indonesia’s mangrove forests are estimated at 3.44 million hectares, representing approximately 20–30 percent of the world’s total mangrove area. In addition to protecting coastlines from erosion and storm surges, mangroves store up to 3.14 billion tons of coastal carbon stocks, making them among the world’s most significant natural carbon sinks. Mangroves also serve as critical habitat for high-value aquatic species, including mangrove crab.

Mangrove Crab and Coastal Livelihoods

In Southeast Maluku Regency, mangrove crab has long been a primary source of livelihood for coastal communities. Growing market demand—particularly for export—has positioned this commodity as a pillar of the local economy. However, increasing fishing pressure poses risks to stock sustainability if not managed responsibly.

In response, the Global Environment Facility (GEF-6) Coastal Fisheries Initiative (CFI) Indonesia is promoting sustainable mangrove crab management in Hoat Sorbay Bay. Through facilitation of the Mangrove Crab Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) Working Group, GEF-6 CFI strengthens collaboration among local government, fishers, academia, and WWF Indonesia toward achieving MSC certification—the globally recognized standard for sustainable fisheries.

Science-Based Evidence for Policy Development

Scientific assessments presented by researcher Kamaluddin Kasim indicate the need for precautionary management of mangrove crab stocks. The giant mud crab (Scylla serrata) remains relatively abundant, while the orange mud crab (Scylla olivacea) shows signs of population decline due to harvesting prior to attaining size at sexual maturity.

Stock analysis for the 2020–2024 period indicates that the biomass of S. serrata remains above sustainable reference points, whereas S. olivacea has fallen below safe biological limits. These findings underscore the urgency of implementing minimum legal-size regulations, production quotas, and protection of spawning habitats.

The MSC Working Group meeting resulted in key management agreements, including the establishment of a minimum legal size, mandatory release of ovigerous females, prohibition of fishing in designated spawning areas, and recommendations for annual catch quotas. These measures are framed within a science-based Harvest Strategy and Harvest Control Rule.

Crab Bank Technical Training: An Ecological Investment for the Future

Beyond governance strengthening, GEF-6 CFI Indonesia is enhancing fishers’ capacity through Crab Bank technical training conducted in Evu Village, Hoat Sorbay Bay. This initiative introduces an innovative approach grounded in a simple yet forward-looking philosophy: treating nature as a “bank of life.”

Fishers were introduced to three core technologies—Crab House, Crab Shelter, and Crab Cage—designed to facilitate the release of undersized crabs and ovigerous females while improving survival rates prior to market sale. This approach contributes to maintaining wild stocks while enhancing product quality and economic value.

The Crab Bank concept promotes a shift in paradigm—from extraction to stewardship—encouraging resource “saving” and ensure their sustainable utilization for present and future generations. The initiative also supports the ongoing MSC eco-labeling process led by local government in collaboration with WWF Indonesia.

Community-Based Mangrove Crab Protection Area

GEF-6 CFI Indonesia has also facilitated the establishment of a locally agreed mangrove crab protection area involving all capture fisheries stakeholders in Ohoi Evu. The mangrove ecosystem serves as a core zone for releasing non-compliant catches and functions as a natural spawning and nursery ground.

This initiative is reinforced by Evu Village Regulation No. 1/2018 on mangrove crab utilization in Hoat Sorbay Bay. The regulation establishes minimum legal sizes, production quotas, sanctions for non-compliance, and monitoring and enforcement mechanisms—exceeding national regulatory standards. Its implementation demonstrates that community-based fisheries governance can be highly effective when supported by adequate facilitation and capacity building.

Sasi and OECM: Local Wisdom with Global Recognition

Mangrove crab conservation efforts in Maluku align with sasi, a customary system that has long governed marine resource use. Sasi practices in Southeast Maluku and Eastern Seram Regency have been identified as having strong potential to qualify as Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures (OECM), a global recognition customary community-based conservation areas.

Sasi is not merely an ecological instrument but also embodies cultural, spiritual, and social values. Consensus-based decision-making, collective compliance, and equitable sharing of economic benefits form sasi to be the strong foundation for equitable conservation.

Celebrating Wetlands, Sustaining Life

World Wetlands Day serves as a reminder that wetland sustainability is inseparable from the role of local communities. From carbon-rich mangroves to mangrove crab sustaining coastal economies, and from sasi to the Crab Bank approach, Indonesia demonstrates that traditional knowledge and scientific approach can reinforce one another.

Healthy mangroves and abundant mangrove crab populations are the result of wise governance. Through collaboration among GEF-6 CFI Indonesia, local government, fishers, and Indigenous Peoples, the future of Maluku’s coastal ecosystems is not only safeguarded—but sustainably passed on to future generations.