Abstrak
YOHANES MERRYANTO, FRANKIE J. SALEAN, JOTHAM S. R. NINEF and ANTHOINETTE R. F. ANAKOTTA East Nusa Tenggara is one province of Indonesia with some advantages in the condition of geostrategic, hydro-oceanography and biophysical region. However, the characteristic of this region has not been used as a superiority which can be used as the capital basis for development. Development approach oriented on the paradigm of the conservation of archipelagic area is very important to be implemented in ENT Province, especially: fisheries, marine transportation, tourism, community, renewable energy, conservation of resources and ecosystems, as well as education and research (Ninef, et al., 2010). The effective management effort of marine conservation is essential to achieve the goal of sustainable fish resources and to ensure sustainable exploitation of fish resources. For that, the development program of sustainable fisheries with emphasis on capture fisheries in marine conservation areas and the surrounding areas need to be managed well in order to obtain sustainable economic benefits for the fishing communities. The objective of this study are to analyze the potential, exploitation and the threat of fish resources, to analyze the regulation and development policy of the fisheries sector and the management of marine conservation areas, and to analyze the stakeholders’ perceptions and participation in the sustainable fisheries development program in marine conservation areas. Results : Marine conservation areas in East Nusa Tenggara Province includes six areas with total area of 4,204,078.3 hectares that protects important marine ecosystems and living resources in ENT waters. Ecosystems and marine resources are protected in ENT waters, especially coral reefs, mangrove forests, seagrass beds, turtle nesting beaches, fish spawning areas, marine habitat and migration corridors of cetaceans. There are number of problems in the practices of the rules in the management of marine conservation areas: especially poaching (over exploitation) of marine products and illegal fishing practices. Low level of understanding among coastal communities, especially fishers to benefit from the conservation areas. Low community involvement in the management process of aquatic conservation area. The good governance of the majority of marine conservation areas in the province are still very low and has not been supported by adequate tools and facilities management. Exploitation of fishery resources in the ENT waters mainly dominated by traditional or small scale fishing gear and fleet capacity is limited and generally operate in coastal waters (< 4 miles), consequently, the fishing pressure is quite high. Yet, there is the presence of overlapping policies and regulations in the management of marine conservation areas.