Education, Community Voices, and Interactive Learning to Celebrate World Ocean Day & Coral Triangle Day 2026

The Coral Triangle Center (CTC) joined hundreds of ocean advocates, government representatives, youth, and conservation partners at the Road to Ocean Impact Summit (OIS) – World Ocean Day & Coral Triangle Day 2026 celebration, held on 7 June at Peninsula Island, Nusa Dua, Bali. Carrying the theme “Kenali Lautmu, Wujudkan Aksimu”. The campaign was a collaborative initiative led by the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (MMAF), WWF-Indonesia, Konservasi Indonesia, GIZ Indonesia, CTI-CFF, Yayasan Pesisir Lestari, CTC, and other partners to encourage ocean stewardship and strengthen marine conservation efforts that support Indonesia’s sustainable blue economy. The event served as a platform to inspire greater public awareness and collective action for ocean conservation.

Throughout the day, CTC contributed to a series of educational, outreach, and public engagement activities that highlighted the importance of marine conservation and community stewardship. One of the key sessions featured CTC Senior Marine Conservation Adviser Marthen Welly, who joined representatives from MMAF, WWF Indonesia, and GIZ to discuss Indonesia’s efforts in achieving global and national marine conservation targets. During the session, Marthen shared CTC’s contributions to advancing the global 30×30 target and Indonesia’s 30×45 commitment through the establishment of marine protected areas, development of supporting policies and guidelines, capacity-building initiatives, and public outreach programs.

The event also showcased the voices of local communities actively involved in marine conservation. I Wayan Suarbawa, a representative of Pokmaswas Gili Bhuana in Nusa Penida, shared his experience in community-based marine management and environmental stewardship. His presentation highlighted how local communities play a critical role in protecting coastal and marine ecosystems through collective action, local knowledge, and long-term commitment to conservation.

To further engage participants, CTC organized a variety of interactive learning activities. CTC Monitoring and Program Support Officer, Cikal Qalnar, led a Coral Restoration Session that introduced participants to coral reef ecosystems, the threats they face, and ongoing efforts to restore damaged reefs. The session provided practical insights into coral restoration approaches and encouraged participants to become active contributors to marine conservation.

Complementing the session, the Center for Marine Conservation (CMC) team facilitated a Coral Clay Workshop, where participants learned about coral diversity and reef ecosystems through creative, hands-on activities. The workshop attracted participants of various ages and demonstrated how experiential learning can make marine conservation concepts more accessible and memorable.

CTC also hosted an exhibition booth throughout the event, providing visitors with information about the organization’s conservation programs, education and outreach initiatives, and opportunities to get involved in ocean stewardship. The booth attracted strong public interest and featured products from Mola Shop, helping connect conservation messages with sustainable lifestyle choices.

The day concluded with a special performance of Wayang Samudera, an artistic storytelling performance that delivered powerful messages about ocean protection and humanity’s relationship with the sea. By combining science, community perspectives, education, and culture, CTC’s participation demonstrated the importance of engaging diverse audiences in marine conservation efforts.

As ocean challenges continue to grow, events such as World Ocean Day and Coral Triangle Day provide valuable opportunities to strengthen partnerships, amplify community voices, and inspire collective action. Through collaboration, education, and meaningful engagement, CTC remains committed to building a stronger movement for ocean conservation across Indonesia and the Coral Triangle region.

Writer: Asia Salsabilla
Photos: Kayla Azzahra/CTC