CTC Strengthens Coral Reef Monitoring Capacity Through Indonesia’s First Coral Cover Monitoring Competency Assessment

Reliable coral reef data is fundamental to effective marine protected area management. To strengthen conservation practitioners’ capacity to collect standardized coral reef monitoring data, the Coral Triangle Center (CTC) organized a Coral Cover Monitoring Training and Competency Assessment in Amed, Karangasem, Bali, from May 18 to 23, 2026.

The event also marked a milestone, with CTC becoming the first accredited assessment center in Indonesia authorized to test and certify professionals under Indonesia’s national Coral Cover Monitoring Scheme.

The milestone directly fuels Indonesia’s Marine Protected Areas and Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures Vision 30 by 45. Standardizing coral reef monitoring provides reliable ecological data required for EVIKA conservation evaluations and long-term ecosystem health checks.

The five-day training brought together 21 participants from across Indonesia, including Marine Protected Area (MPA) management units from Maluku, North Maluku, North Sulawesi, Southeast Sulawesi, East Kalimantan, Lampung, West Nusa Tenggara, Komodo National Park, Wakatobi National Park, Tumbalen community-based surveillance groups (POKMASWAS), and non-governmental organizations.

Built around Indonesia’s National Work Competency Standards (SKKNI), the curriculum combined classroom learning with practical field exercises using an adult-learning approach. In the classroom, participants mastered Point Intercept Transect (PIT) and Underwater Photo Transect (UPT), data processing in Microsoft Excel and Coral Point Count with Excel extensions (CPCe), report preparation, and occupational health and safety for scientific diving. Then they put their training to the test under the waves of Jemeluk Bay in Amed, collecting real-time field data under actual reef conditions.

The hard work culminated on May 23, 2026, when TUK CTC conducted an official competency assessment. Through direct field observation, presentations, and interviews, the assessors evaluated twenty participants. Average participant scores climbed from 53.57% to 77.38%—a 23.81-point surge.

Every single candidate earned a “competent” recommendation. Run alongside the Professional Certification Institute for Marine Conservation and Marine Services (LSP KJK), these national certifications will be officially issued by the National Professional Certification Agency (BNSP).

Delivered by CTC trainers Tabitha, Purwanto, Wienda J. Ardiyani, and I Nyoman, the program succeeded thanks to the MPA OECM Consortium, including partners WWF, Rare, and Rekam. By deploying certified data gatherers on the water, CTC and its partners are ensuring that Indonesia’s future marine decisions rest on solid, undeniable science.

Writer: Asia Salsabilla
Photos: Wienda/CTC, Kasman/CTC, Denny Boy Mochran/CTC