RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Indonesian government continues to strengthen the governance of marine conservation areas to optimize the management and protection of seven national parks with marine ecosystems in the country. This step is part of a long-term commitment to preserving marine ecosystems that are home to high-value biodiversity.

This effort is realized through a research agreement between the Ministry of Forestry and the global research institute OceanX, which focuses on mapping Indonesia's biodiversity. The meeting, held in Jakarta on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, discussed opportunities for collaboration in strengthening scientific databases, marine exploration, and increasing the capacity for managing marine conservation areas.

Forestry Minister, Raja Juli Antoni, stated that Indonesia has a rich marine ecosystem that is crucial for the preservation of global biodiversity. He considered areas such as Komodo National Park and Wakatobi National Park to be priorities that must be optimally managed with a science-based approach.

Raja explained that initial discussions regarding this collaborative program had previously taken place between the Ministry of Forestry and OceanX, with Komodo and Wakatobi being agreed upon as two priority marine ecosystems. According to him, the designation of these two areas as the starting point was based on the need for a baseline assessment before this research collaboration is expanded to the other five marine national parks.

In total, there are seven government-managed marine conservation areas: Wakatobi National Park, Seribu Islands, Takabonerate, Cenderawasih Bay, Togean, Karimunjawa, and Bunaken. In addition to these seven areas, Komodo National Park also receives special attention because it encompasses both land and sea areas rich in marine biota.

Beyond routine monitoring and evaluation, the Ministry of Forestry is also focusing on implementing an ecosystem restoration program through coral reef planting in several conservation areas. This program is expected to accelerate the recovery of marine habitats degraded by various environmental pressures.

This research collaboration between the Ministry of Forestry and OceanX is expected to provide more comprehensive baseline data and produce more accurate underwater mapping. With a stronger scientific database, the management of marine national parks in Indonesia is expected to be more focused and sustainable going forward.