Australia Awards Alumni Professional Development Series Workshop #12 Ambon, 30 November 2011

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1 Australia Awards Alumni Professional Development Series Workshop #12 Ambon, 30 November

2 Coastal Community Development in South East Sulawesi Linda McRae BA in Indonesian and Environmental Management (Hons) University of Tasmania Program Development Officer LePMIL (Lembaga Pengembangan Masyarakat Pesisir dan Pedalaman), South East Sulawesi 2

3 Indonesia s central government laws related to coasts, oceans and the communities within are often out of touch with local realities. In fact, most such laws are more focussed on resource extraction, rather than how local communities can more sustainably manage their environment. Source:

4 There is also much inconsistency between central laws, provincial laws and local ones. Many local maritime regulations are focussed on penalising fishermen, however this is unlikely to have a significant impact on improving the sustainability of local fishing activities. Source: Linda McRae

5 Indonesia is the guardian of one of the richest coastal and marine zones in the world, yet to this day the only significant beneficiaries are large companies and foreign investors. The fishing community remains as one of the poorest skilled groups in the country. Source: Getty Images/ National Geographic

6 One of the larger maritime communities in SE Sulawesi is the Bajo people, most prominent in the Wakatobi Marine Park. On such small islands, the communities lack a local wood supply. Hence, the vast bulk of houses and foundations there are composed of coral. With houses located right above the sea, waste management is a very important issue to be dealt with. Source: Linda McRae

7 In South East Sulawesi mining, forestry and other land clearing activities are also responsible for marine health. Tabunggaya is one such location, where nickel-rich soils have been cleared for intensive mining activities. The local villagers, whose town is now surrounded by heavy machinery and mine sites, can t source fish from their part of the ocean anymore. Source: Linda McRae

8 Poorer coastal communities need external support in order to become significant players in Indonesia s maritime economy. Some examples of services which could be provided: Quality & accessibility of education and health services Financial support to buy equipment for sustainable fishing Training in alternative fishing techniques and other economic opportunities, in order to assist communities to move beyond fish bombing, poisoning and mangrove logging. Source: Linda McRae

9 Broad government policies need to be interpreted and made relevant to the local community. This process ought to be undertaken by NGOs, acting as a mediator between the government and coastal communities. Once NGOs determine the areas of need, such information can be directed to the government, resulting in assistance towards the development of the local community s marine economy. Source:

10 Some of LePMIL s previous activities include: Workshops about the effects of fish bombing upon ocean ecosystems, held in villages. Multi-stakeholder development workshops about saving and protecting Kendari Bay. A coastal management program, Increasing environmental awareness through community marine management, in Bajo Indah village, Konawe district. Source:

11 For the last decade, LePMIL has been one of the primary NGOs in Sulawesi Tenggara working towards the sustainability of local community coastal environments. One common activity implemented in various districts is the replanting of mangroves. Source: Artemio Andaya

12 One of the most significant issues affecting marine health around the Kendari region is plastic pollution. LePMIL has previously run activities to clean up the mudflats at low tide, however this does little to impact the activities of locals and governments concerning marine pollution. One of my tasks is to design a pilot program to reduce consumption and distribution of waste in a small coastal community near Kendari. Source:

13 As an organisation focussed on coastal communities, LePMIL has a history of capacity building in fishing villages. Such programs are usually implemented in areas where the community has become so dependant on local resources, that they have depleted the natural ecosystems. Source:

14 Thank you! Source: Linda McRae