Evaluation of managed access approach in Anambas Islands Marine Recreational Park, Riau Islands Province

Abstract

Managed access with reserved (MAR) is an approach for sustainable fisheries management, combined community-based conservation approach with spatial management to restore and protect Indonesia’s small-scale fisheries. This paper examines the implementation of MAR programs in Batu Belah village of Anambas islands marine recreational park, Riau islands province. The structured household survey and semi-structured interviews were conducted along with field observation during December 2018. The descriptive analysis applied to understand community knowledge, acceptance, participation, and perception on the current of marine environmental conditions, while the Analytic Network Process (ANP) used to identify problems and best strategies to improve future actions. Community knowledge and participation in MAR programs are at a moderate level, while community acceptance of MAR programs is at a high level. They mostly responded that the coastal environment is in better condition compared to previous years. Overall, the level of community perception in Batu Belah about the MAR program is in the moderate level category. There needs some improvement in terms of management capacity, creation of economic activities, and government budget allocation for monitoring and surveillance. Intensive community engagement and high commitment of leadership are among the key component to change community behavior and their paradigm regarding conservation perspective and coastal resources management in general.