Marine Conservation and MPA Establishment
📌 The Nusa Penida Marine Protected Area (MPA), established in 2008, is home to diverse marine life, including 296 coral species and 576 fish species, and is a habitat for manta rays and Southern sunfish.
🌊 The MPA encompasses Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan, and Nusa Ceningan, aiming to protect ecosystems while safeguarding local livelihoods from over 300,000 annual visitors.
🤝 Management is handled by a locally based team, working with community groups and partners like the Coral Triangle Center (CTC), to create a sustainable conservation model.

MPA Zoning and Management System
🗺️ The MPA utilizes a dedicated zoning system with seven zones to control human activity, including two zones supporting the tourism industry.
🚫 Two core zones prohibit all marine activities, allowing only scientific research to protect spawning grounds and overall reef health.
🎣 Traditional zones are allocated for fisheries and seaweed farming, supporting traditional livelihoods and encouraging sustainable practices.

Community Involvement and Sustainable Tourism
🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Local groups like "Yowana Satya" educate youth on environmental care and manage a coral nursery in partnership with CTC.
🌳 The mangrove forests of Nusa Lembongan are protected, serving as a carbon storehouse and nursery, with eco-tourism supporting over 100 families through groups like Surya Mandira.
🐠 Dive centers and the LuPone and Marine Association collaborate to reduce their environmental impact, recognizing that healthy ecosystems attract tourists.

Integrating Tradition and Science
🕉️ The MPA design merges modern science with traditional customs, featuring a sacred zone extending from Pura Dalem Ped temple to respect local Balinese Hindu customs.
🙏 Traditional conservation methods, such as "Nepi Sagara" (a day of homage to Dawa Beruna with no marine activity), are incorporated into management plans to bring environmental balance.
📊 Annual reef health monitoring tracks ecosystem status, highlighting ongoing threats from human impacts like irresponsible tourism and marine debris, despite successes in coral cover increases in some areas.

Key Points & Insights
➡️ The Nusa Penida MPA's zoning system is crucial for balancing the development of a major tourism industry with the strict protection of sensitive marine ecosystems.
➡️ Local stewardship, involving community outreach, patrols, and partnerships between government, locals, and NGOs (like CTC), is fundamental to the MPA's success.
➡️ Sustainability relies on educating visitors to be responsible tourists and fostering collaboration among all stakeholders, including dive operators, to maintain the health of the natural attractions.

📸 Video summarized with SummaryTube.com on Nov 26, 2025, 15:13 UTC