Deep water acropora (Acropora suharsonoi)

Mohamed bin Zayed Species project number 11252659

FFI works by invitation around the world to save species from extinction, habitats from destruction and to encourage sustainable development. Formed in 1903 in the United Kingdom, FFI acts to conserve threatened species and ecosystems worldwide, choosing solutions that are sustainable, are based on sound science and take account of human needs. We work through partnerships that ensure local ownership and lasting results and believe success lies in devising strategies that both conserve biodiversity and contribute to human development. Our guiding principles are to: respond to local needs, respect national priorities, develop strategic partnerships and strengthen our partners’ capacity. Our program of activities in Africa, the Americas, Asia Pacific, and Eurasia is delivered principally through: building capacity to equip local people and agencies to manage their natural heritage; monitoring causes of biodiversity loss and its impact on local people, identifying and implementing solutions that benefit people and wildlife; and securing threatened areas of high biodiversity importance through land purchase and local conservation agreements. Fauna & Flora International (FFI) was last year invited to join two local Indonesian NGOs, The Indonesian Nature Foundation (LINI) and Reef Check Foundation Indonesia (RCFI), in partnership. FFI supports the work of these two marine conservation NGOs, and is building their institutional capacity to more effectively deliver a programme of successful coral reef conservation. The focus of our collaboration is local marine management in Tejakula sub-district, Buleleng, Bali which is a centre for the marine aquarium trade and an increasingly popular tourist destination. The project aims to support a network of Locally Managed Marine Areas (LMMAs) which secure the conservation and resilience of the sub-district’s coral reefs and contribute to the sustainable livelihoods of local people who depend on the reefs for their livelihoods. Our project forms a small but critical link in the larger network of MPAs planned for the Lesser Sunda Ecoregion and our work will ensure that Tejakula sub-district’s 9 villages are equipped to play an active role, representing local interests in this wider initiative. Key to the design of the LMMA network will be an understanding of the distribution, exploitation and threats of key species. This application focuses on coral species, in particular 6 priority corals that are threatened with extinction. These species are under threat from exploitation for the aquarium trade, destructive fishing practices (including cyanide) and removal of herbivorous fish through overfishing, sedimentation and bleaching. 3 of the species have been identified as priority species for conservation by the Zoological Society of London’s EDGE Coral Reefs Programme due to the fact that they are both evolutionarily distinct and globally threatened. The information generated through this project will be critical for the conservation planning of the Locally Managed Marine Areas, also in raising awareness among marine resource users of the threats to, and importance of, key species.