Integrating Field Mission Insights and Perception Mapping to Strengthen Marine Protected Area Networks in Indonesia

The ASEAN region contains some of the world’s most biodiverse marine ecosystems, yet these environments face increasing pressures from overfishing, habitat degradation, pollution, and climate change. Strengthening the effectiveness and governance of marine protected area (MPA) networks is therefore critical to sustaining marine biodiversity and the livelihoods of coastal communities. Under the ASEAN ENMAPS (Effectively Managing Networks of Marine Protected Areas in Large Marine Ecosystems in the ASEAN Region) Project, field missions and integrated perception mapping were conducted in two pilot sites in Indonesia—Wakatobi National Park and Kepulauan Togean National Park—to better understand stakeholder perspectives and governance dynamics that influence MPA network implementation. The study combined field consultations with government agencies, local communities, fisher groups, tourism stakeholders, and civil society organizations, alongside structured perception mapping to assess awareness of MPAs, perceived benefits and trade-offs, governance challenges, and opportunities for improved participation. Findings reveal that while stakeholders generally recognize the importance of marine conservation, understanding of MPA networks and ecological connectivity remains limited. Communities often associate MPAs with improved fisheries and tourism opportunities, but concerns persist regarding access to fishing areas and resource restrictions. Governance coordination among multiple institutions also remains a challenge. The study highlights the importance of integrating social insights with technical planning, engaging stakeholders early in the process, and strengthening communication on the benefits of MPA networks. The integrated perception mapping approach demonstrates strong potential for replication across other marine conservation initiatives to support inclusive, scientifically informed, and socially accepted MPA network planning in the ASEAN region.

The project 𝘌𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘔𝘢𝘯𝘢𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘔𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘗𝘳𝘰𝘵𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘈𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘓𝘢𝘳𝘨𝘦 𝘔𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘌𝘤𝘰𝘴𝘺𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘮𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘈𝘚𝘌𝘈𝘕 𝘳𝘦𝘨𝘪𝘰𝘯 (𝘈𝘚𝘌𝘈𝘕 𝘌𝘕𝘔𝘈𝘗𝘚) aims to improve MPA network management in key Large Marine Ecosystems across Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand. It applies science-based strategies to conserve biodiversity and sustain fisheries. The project also aims to strengthen governance, build the capacity of stakeholders, promote knowledge sharing, and advance sustainable financing for long-term conservation. ASEAN ENMAPS is implemented by the United Nations Development Programme through the funding of the Global Environment Facility, and with the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity as the executing agency.

Marine ecosystems in the ASEAN region form part of interconnected large marine ecosystems (LMEs) that support fisheries, biodiversity, and coastal livelihoods across national boundaries. However, these ecosystems face increasing pressures from overfishing, habitat degradation, pollution, and climate change, which collectively threaten the ecological integrity and productivity of shared marine resources. Effective management is further complicated by fragmented governance structures, varying levels of stakeholder awareness, and limited coordination among institutions responsible for marine resource management.

Within Indonesia’s Wakatobi National Park (WNP) and Kepulauan Togean National Park (KTNP)—two key sites within the broader seascapes of Southeast Asia—these challenges are reflected in uneven understanding of marine protected area (MPA) networks, limited awareness of ecological connectivity among stakeholders, and concerns among coastal communities about potential livelihood restrictions associated with conservation measures. Multiple agencies and governance levels are involved in marine management, often resulting in coordination gaps and inconsistent implementation of conservation policies.

The ASEAN ENMAPS Project addresses these issues by strengthening the planning and governance of ecologically connected MPA networks across the ASEAN region. Through integrated perception mapping and stakeholder engagement, the project seeks to bridge scientific planning with local knowledge and governance realities, ensuring that MPA network design is both ecologically effective and socially inclusive. By identifying stakeholder perceptions, governance challenges, and communication gaps, the initiative contributes to improved coordination, stronger community participation, and more effective management of shared marine ecosystems that transcend administrative and national boundaries.

THE APPROACH

The project implemented an Integrated Perception Mapping and Field Mission Approach, combining technical assessments with stakeholder engagement.

The process involved three key steps:

1. Field Missions and Stakeholder Engagement

Project teams conducted field visits to WNP and KTNP to engage national park authorities, local government units, community leaders, fisher groups, tourism stakeholders, and civil society organizations. These consultations allowed the project to gather firsthand insights on governance, resource use, and conservation challenges.

2. Perception Mapping

Structured interviews and consultations were used to map stakeholder perceptions regarding:

• Awareness and understanding of marine protected areas
• Perceived benefits and trade-offs of MPAs
• Governance challenges and institutional coordination
• Community participation and inclusivity
• Opportunities for strengthening MPA network management

3. Integration with Technical Planning

The perception mapping results were integrated with ongoing scientific and spatial planning work under ASEAN ENMAPS. This helped ensure that technical MPA network design is aligned with local realities, governance structures, and stakeholder priorities.

KEY FINDINGS

Awareness of MPAs is present but uneven

Stakeholders generally recognize the importance of marine conservation, particularly in protecting fisheries and sustaining tourism. However, understanding of MPA networks and ecological connectivity remains limited among many local stakeholders.

Communities associate MPAs with livelihood benefits

Local communities often link marine protection with improved fish stocks and tourism opportunities. However, concerns remain regarding potential restrictions on fishing areas and access to resources.

Governance coordination remains a challenge

Both pilot sites involve multiple agencies, levels of government, and community groups. Stakeholders highlighted the need for clearer coordination mechanisms and stronger collaboration between national park authorities, local governments, and community organizations.

Community participation is essential for effectiveness

Stakeholders emphasized that successful MPAs require meaningful participation from coastal communities, including fisher groups, women, youth, and Indigenous peoples.

Communication gaps affect understanding of MPA networks

The concept of ecological connectivity and networked MPAs is not widely understood at the community level, indicating the need for tailored communication and outreach strategies.

LESSONS LEARNED

Lesson 1: Combining technical and social assessments improves planning

Integrating perception mapping with field missions allows project teams to capture both ecological priorities and stakeholder perspectives, leading to more realistic and inclusive planning processes.

Lesson 2: Early stakeholder engagement builds trust

Engaging stakeholders at the early stages of MPA network planning fosters transparency, reduces potential conflicts, and encourages local ownership of conservation initiatives.

Lesson 3: Communication must translate science into local relevance

Scientific concepts such as ecological connectivity and MPA networks need to be translated into messages that resonate with local stakeholders, particularly fishers and coastal communities.

Lesson 4: Governance complexity requires coordinated mechanisms

Large MPAs and MPA networks involve multiple actors and governance levels. Strengthening coordination platforms is essential for effective management and implementation.

Lesson 5: Inclusivity strengthens conservation outcomes

Ensuring participation from women, youth, Indigenous peoples, and local communities contributes to more equitable and sustainable marine resource management.

The integrated perception mapping approach used in WNP and KTNP can be replicated in other ASEAN ENMAPS pilot sites and in similar marine conservation initiatives. Key elements for replication include:

• Combining field missions with structured perception mapping
• Engaging diverse stakeholders, including marginalized groups
• Integrating social insights with spatial and ecological analyses
• Using findings to guide communication and governance strategies

This approach helps ensure that MPA networks are scientifically sound, socially accepted, and institutionally feasible.

The experience from field missions in Wakatobi National Park and Kepulauan Togean National Park highlights the importance of incorporating local knowledge, stakeholder perspectives, and governance realities into marine conservation planning. While scientific and spatial analyses are essential for designing ecologically connected MPA networks, the findings demonstrate that effective implementation also depends on stakeholder awareness, institutional coordination, and community support. The perception mapping process revealed gaps in understanding of ecological connectivity and MPA networks, as well as governance coordination challenges and concerns among local communities regarding potential livelihood impacts.

By identifying these social and governance dimensions, the integrated approach helps ensure that conservation strategies are both ecologically sound and socially inclusive. For GEF International Waters initiatives, this experience provides a replicable approach for linking science, governance, and community engagement in transboundary marine resource management. It supports the development of inclusive governance mechanisms, strengthens stakeholder participation, and promotes coordinated management of shared marine ecosystems, ultimately contributing to the sustainability and resilience of transboundary marine resources in the ASEAN region.