the project: Community empowerment

Their faces in rapt attention, the Seaweed Ladies listen on, intermittently scribbling down notes, as the food-processing specialist demonstrates the procedures for preparing the dodol mixture, a local sweet.

Not that they're unfamiliar with the procedure. But what is happening here is a step beyond what they have been doing so far: improving the quality of a range of products based on seaweed.

These keen women are part of a community forum in Bali Barat, FKMPP, which has been facilitated by WWF. On this day, new food processing equipment has just come in, with funding from the BRF (Bali Recovery Fund) of the Australian Agency for International Development (AUSAID/ACCESS) and logistical support from WWF. It is bringing them one step closer to a growing market in seaweed products. 

Where it all started
In Bali Barat, destructive fishing represents a major stress on corals. It was also once the main source of income for some of the coastal communities. Clearly, reducing that dangerous dependency was an absolute priority for WWF.

Open Forum
Starting with an assessment of local people's perception of the National Park in the 4 surrounding fishing villages (Sumber Klampok, Gilimanuk, and Pejarakan), WWF sought to identify issues that were affecting the local people. Pak Mis, the forum leader, recalls how the group was established with the realization that unsustainable practices such as potassium fishing and bomb fishing had to be changed. Fast.

With the support of WWF, the Coastal Care Community Communication Forum of Bali Barat National Park (FKMPP in Indonesian) was set up, consisting of members from adat (traditional) representatives of the local villages of Sumber Klampok, Gilimanuk, and Pejarakan; local fishers association; private sector (including local resorts and dive operators) and a local NGO.

Busy agenda for the Forum
Since its inception, the forum has assisted the National Park in its coastal patrols, is now implementing a Code of Conduct, and is also carrying out community monitoring and other conservation activities.

The Forum is also involved in beach clean-ups, and of course, seaweed farming (for those who used to make a living off potassium fishing, a highly destructive activity). In seaweed farming (and its many products, including candy, jam and jelly) lies the hope of better tomorrows, and naturally, the Forum members want to expand this activity.

The many benefits of seaweed farming
In addition to the economic revenue that it generates, sustainable seaweed farming also delivers positive conservation and social impacts. 

Seaweed...

• ...fixes polluting nutrients which flow to the sea and originate from inland community activities
• ...represents a source of food for herbivorous fish, so that stocks aggregate at the cultivation site
• ...is an alternative to destructive livelihoods
• ...is an incentive for farmers to protect the environment, since seaweed needs good quality water.

From a social perspective, seaweed farming is an opportunity for...

• ... women to be involved in marine activities, whereas in the past there has always been a segregation of responsibilities between men and women
• ... fishers to spend less time away at sea, and therefore take better care of their family
• ... more employment options

Looking back in the wake of FKMPP
It took WWF three years to integrate the community – not only to obtain its trust, but also to understand it. What may have helped is that WWF didn't come in with a 'dole-out' funding approach – as a matter of principle, the organization does not hand out money. 

Meanwhile, Ria, who with WWF has also been engaging the community for several years, believes that the success of the project can be attributed to a gradual change in local mentalities, and to WWF's introduction of environmentally friendly techniques.

Today, the heritage of FKMPP is clearly visible. Some local illegal fishers have given up on potassium fishing, and sold their diving equipment because of the pressure of the Forum and the Park.

The way ahead
WWF intends to continue its support by facilitating the establishment of the formal board of FKMPP. Along these lines, WWF is providing assistance to FKMPP to develop strategic action planning. This will include the development of a financing system, to support the basic requirements for effective co-management. It is anticipated that FKMPP will develop a strategy to continue the process without funding from WWF.