Indonesia

The ILMMA Approach is known as Bigger, Closer, More: that is, by protecting the marine resources, communities can have bigger fish, fish closer to their villages, and more fish.

Communities respond to this approach as they get the benefits: bigger fish, closer fish, and more fish.

This approach has enabled ILMMA to reach 300 communities across Papua, Maluku, and North Maluku Provinces. Over 66,400 people currently benefit with more food and income from their LMMAs due to more than 760,800 hectares of coral reef, seagrass, mangroves, and coastline under local management, and with 60 no-take zones that help marine areas recover.

These achievements have been possible through the partnerships ILMMA establish. Bringing traditional leaders and religious leaders, along with village government officials and community representatives, to learn together and work together, the idea of effective marine management becomes increasingly possible.

The impact of management actions being implemented effectively and witnessing species abundance increasing has given ILMMA the success stories they need to share these stories with other communities yet to establish an LMMA.

Their goal is to double their reach in the next five years to reach 500 communities for more local communities to benefit from more food and income from their LMMAs.