MPAs in the BHS are integrating traditional practices such as sasi into MPA zoning and management, and developing co-management structures that allow communities to actively manage and patrol their MPAs. The majority

of the MPAs in the BHS are in Raja Ampat regency, which has a network of seven MPAs covering 1,185,940 ha of coral reef habitat and associated small islands (Fig. 1; Table 2). Current efforts are underway to institutionalize the Raja LBH589 price Ampat MPA network under a co-management body (termed ‘Badan Layanan Umum Daerah’ or regency technical unit) and framework that has been successfully applied to hospitals in many parts of Indonesia. This public–private co-management model provides two major benefits compared to traditional Indonesian governance of MPAs. Firstly, it allows the management body to largely manage its own finances, including both governmental budget allocations and grants from aid agencies and private donors, as well as any revenues generated (e.g. tourism entrance fees). Selleck Everolimus Secondly, it allows non-government

partners to sit on the management board and private individuals to be recruited as MPA staff and paid a professional (i.e., non-civil servant) salary. If successful, this co-management model has the potential to be applied to other MPA networks that are being developed in Indonesia ( Coral Triangle Initiative, 2009). The long term success of MPAs in the BHS will mostly depend on the management of waters outside MPAs and an integrated approach to coastal management across the BHS. Since 2007 and the passing of laws relating to spatial planning (Law 26/2007) and management of coastal areas and small islands (Law 27/2007), the Indonesian Government has provided a legal framework to reform spatial planning processes and achieve more effective and integrated urban and rural planning and sectoral development, and enable greater synergies between spatial plans developed at the regency, province and at the national

level. In the BHS, through the efforts Reverse transcriptase of international and national NGOs there has been a push for coastal development, fisheries, spatial planning and species management to align with the principles of ‘ecosystem-based management’ and recognize that ecosystems, communities, and economic opportunities are strongly connected. The BHS is currently struggling to keep up with rapid environmental, social and economic change. Local communities and the regional economy rely heavily on natural resources – both terrestrial and marine – for industries such as fishing, mining, forestry, oil and gas, mariculture and tourism. However, certain activities associated with these industries threaten the biodiversity and health of marine and terrestrial ecosystems in the BHS.