Advancing community-led fisheries management and ocean conservation in Indonesia
Indonesia is home to extraordinary natural and cultural richness. Part of the Coral Triangle, it’s the world’s largest archipelago — with the second-longest coastline, vast mangrove forests, and one of the largest coral reef systems on Earth. Nearly two million fishers rely on nearshore waters for food, income, and cultural identity. Many of these coastal households also depend on smallholder farming to support their families.
Yet unsustainable fishing practices, weak regulation, poor governance, habitat degradation, and climate change are placing these ecosystems under growing pressure. These threats strain food security, destabilize coastal livelihoods, and undermine long-term development. Through community-led solutions, Rare works with coastal communities to restore fisheries, protect biodiversity, strengthen food security and livelihoods, advance gender equity, and build climate-resilient futures.
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A Changing Tide
See how coastal communities across Indonesia are leading efforts to restore fisheries and protect the ocean for future generations.
Strengthening community leadership in fisheries management
Rare partners with coastal communities and governments to strengthen fisheries management and local leadership. Our work centers on the Community Seas — the nearshore waters where millions depend on healthy fisheries for food, livelihoods, and cultural identity.
Rare works with coastal communities and local leaders to establish community-managed fishing areas with “no-take” marine reserves to protect and rebuild fisheries while strengthening livelihoods. Rare also works to secure these areas as OECMS, strengthening community rights and contributing to broader conservation goals.
Coastal 500 is the largest global network of mayors and local government leaders committed to fostering thriving and prosperous coastal communities.
The Rare approach to community-led conservation
We work with communities to lead conservation and build the conditions that help it last.
This includes strengthening rights, governance, livelihoods, and culture, while also working beyond the community level to ensure policies, finance, and other systems sustain these efforts over time.
Designing solutions that work for people and nature
We design solutions grounded in how people make decisions and act. We work with communities to align new practices with local priorities, social norms, and daily realities — and use tools and technology to support adoption, learning, and scaling.
Strengthening policies that support community leadership
We work with communities and governments to shape policies that recognize local leadership and support long-term stewardship of natural resources.
Expanding access to finance for communities
We connect communities to financial tools and opportunities that strengthen livelihoods and help them adapt to environmental and economic change.
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Rare partners in Indonesia
Rare works with a wide range of partners in Indonesia. We are grateful to the partners and supporters whose collaboration makes our work possible.
Partner With Us
Healthy oceans depend on strong partnerships and community leadership.
If you are interested in partnering with Rare in Indonesia or supporting community-led fisheries management, we would love to hear from you.
Contact Us
For more information on Rare’s work in Indonesia, please contact us.
