Coastal communities relying on coral reefs need comprehensive ecosystem management. Conservation and management are both focused on improving coastal livelihoods. Comprehensive ecosystem management is essential for communities’ ongoing engagement in conservation activities. Given the importance of mangroves, more stress should be placed on mangrove conservation nationwide. Strong legislation should be developed to ban the conversion of mangrove areas for shrimp and fish farming and prohibit illegal and destructive fishing. Mechanisms to counter coral bleaching also need to be developed, e.g., reseeding and introducing bleaching resistant strains. To this end, interaction between the government, research institutions including LIPI, and international agencies such as Australia’s Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority should be developed.
Coral Reef Rehabilitation and Management Project Phase II