Crowdfunding the Earth ™
  • Building on the support from Planet Buyback for the Bido village Surf Protected Area and its fundraiser completion, the Surf Conservation Partnership has established 9 additional Surf Protected Areas on the island of Morotai, and are working on 6 more. These Surf Protected Areas have established legally enforceable regulations to protect surf breaks and their surrounding ecosystems from major threats, such as habitat destruction, plastic pollution, overdevelopment, overfishing and illegal fishing, and some also include regulations to sustainably manage tourism.  Once all the Surf Protected Areas in progress are fully established, two thirds of this incredibly biodiverse island (over 70 kilometers of coastline) will be under Surf Protected Area management. This will mark a major milestone in Surf Conservation Partnership’s efforts in creating networks of Surf Protected Areas to achieve ecosystem-scale conservation of irreplaceable natural areas.

Building on the support from Planet Buyback for the Bido village Surf Protected Area and its fundraiser completion, the Surf Conservation Partnership has established 9 additional Surf Protected Areas on the island of Morotai, and are working on 6 more. These Surf Protected Areas have established legally enforceable regulations to protect surf breaks and their surrounding ecosystems from major threats, such as habitat destruction, plastic pollution, overdevelopment, overfishing and illegal fishing, and some also include regulations to sustainably manage tourism.  Once all the Surf Protected Areas in progress are fully established, two thirds of this incredibly biodiverse island (over 70 kilometers of coastline) will be under Surf Protected Area management. This will mark a major milestone in Surf Conservation Partnership’s efforts in creating networks of Surf Protected Areas to achieve ecosystem-scale conservation of irreplaceable natural areas.

CHALLENGE

Illegal fishing, habitat destruction, and climate change are on the rise, and the potential impact of significantly increasing tourism on the environment is a cause for concern. Morotai, being a neighbor to the popular tourist destination Bali, has been on the brink for many years of becoming a target for major commercialization. However, organizations like the Surf Conservation Partnership have played a vital role in redirecting these detrimental plans.

SOLUTION

Fortunately, the Indonesian government is supportive in protecting Morotai’s natural ecosystems by creating a network of Surf Protected Areas. Their support is now helping conserve huge areas of pristine habitat around important surf breaks, promoting sustainable surf tourism. Thanks to our community fundraiser and the on-ground efforts of The Surf Conservation Partnership, the organization successfully obtained formal approval from the Government of East Morotai, Indonesia, for the natural resource management regulations of the Surf Protected Area in Lifao Village. Lifao has one of the largest marine territories among communities in Morotai, encompassing numerous pristine surf breaks, stunning coral reefs, and coastlines. The regulations include: Establishment of a no-fishing area to restore populations of important fish, prohibitions on use of destructive fishing gear such as gill nets and chemicals Restrictions on fishing by people that are not from the community unless they have permission Restrictions on activities that damage habitats including coral mining, sand mining, and mangrove cutting.

CHALLENGE

Illegal fishing, habitat destruction, and climate change are on the rise, and the potential impact of significantly increasing tourism on the environment is a cause for concern. Morotai, being a neighbor to the popular tourist destination Bali, has been on the brink for many years of becoming a target for major commercialization. However, organizations like the Surf Conservation Partnership have played a vital role in redirecting these detrimental plans.

SOLUTION

Fortunately, the Indonesian government is supportive in protecting Morotai’s natural ecosystems by creating a network of Surf Protected Areas. Their support is now helping conserve huge areas of pristine habitat around important surf breaks, promoting sustainable surf tourism. Thanks to our community fundraiser and the on-ground efforts of The Surf Conservation Partnership, the organization successfully obtained formal approval from the Government of East Morotai, Indonesia, for the natural resource management regulations of the Surf Protected Area in Lifao Village. Lifao has one of the largest marine territories among communities in Morotai, encompassing numerous pristine surf breaks, stunning coral reefs, and coastlines. The regulations include: Establishment of a no-fishing area to restore populations of important fish, prohibitions on use of destructive fishing gear such as gill nets and chemicals Restrictions on fishing by people that are not from the community unless they have permission Restrictions on activities that damage habitats including coral mining, sand mining, and mangrove cutting.

LONG-TERM IMPACT

Bido Village, Morotai, Indonesia

Next, the government will approve sustainable tourism regulations including restrictions on the type of building, where tourism facilities can be located, and activities to support waste management. These regulations have all been developed by the local community to help ensure that their environment and surfing waves are healthy for this and future generations. We anticipate several villages, including Bido which is being supported by Planet Surf, will follow soon with securing similar government approval of their Surf Protected Area regulations

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