Protecting Marine Resources in the Banda Sea Through Resource Use Monitoring

On March 26–27 2026, Coral Triangle Center (CTC) in collaboration with the Marine and Fisheries Branch Office Cluster VI of the Banda Islands, conducted another Resource Utilization Monitoring (RUM) activity in the Ay-Rhun Marine Protected Area (MPA) and the Banda Sea Marine Tourism Park (TWP Laut Banda).

This activity, planned as a regular monitoring effort to track the utilization of coastal and marine resources, ensures that all activities within the Ay-Rhun MPA and the Banda Sea Marine Tourism Park comply with applicable regulations and collect replicable data on resource users. The monitoring encompassed a range of activities, including fishing, tourism, and other extractive and non-extractive uses.

This monitoring team involved representatives from the Marine and Fisheries Branch Office Cluster VI of the Banda Islands, the Banda Marine and Fisheries Resources Surveillance (PSDKP) Forum, the Kupang Marine Management Agency – Banda Service Unit, the Ay Island Village Military Officer, the Ay Island Community Police Officer, personnel from the Banda Marine and Air Police Unit, the Indonesian Navy post in Banda, staff from the Banda Subdistrict Office, and CTC.

The monitoring and surveillance activities recorded a total of 23 mobile resource users, consisting of 17 fishers and six tourism operators, as well as 49 stationary resource uses, comprising 42 fish aggregating devices (FADs), four mooring buoys, and three floating net cages.

During the RUM activity, no violations were identified, indicating full compliance with existing regulations. The activity was completed successfully over two days. Despite a brief pause due to heavy rain and adverse weather conditions, the monitoring resumed and was completed as planned.

Continued monitoring efforts will play a key role in maintaining compliance and understanding changes in resource utilization patterns. These efforts also highlight the value of collaboration and data-driven approaches in ensuring the effective and sustainable management of the Ay-Rhun MPA and the Banda Sea Marine Tourism Park.

Writers: Shendy Raiman, Megan Alexis
Photos: Laode Junaidin/CTC