Throughout October 2026, Yayasan Laut Biru Kepulauan Derawan (YLBKD) and Global Conservation (GC) strengthened marine protection through joint government patrols, conservation technology, and community engagement. Across East Kalimantan and Maluku, we supported 970 km of marine enforcement patrols and an additional 121.9 km of shark-monitoring patrols. Our activities included rescuing sea turtles, monitoring shark habitats, improving conservation technology, and expanding partnerships with coastal communities.
Global Park Defense
Marine Patrols with East Kalimantan Fisheries Agency
East Kalimantan fisheries officers inspect a fishing vessel in the southern waters of the Derawan Archipelago.
YLBKD and GC continued supporting marine enforcement patrols with the East Kalimantan Fisheries Agency (DKP), covering 478 km in October 2026.
During the patrols, officers observed relatively little fishing activity and found no evidence of destructive fishing. They also did not encounter fishing vessels from outside East Kalimantan using environmentally harmful fishing gear.
However, officers suspected that information about the patrol schedule may have leaked, potentially allowing individuals involved in destructive fishing to avoid operating during the patrols. This concern emphasizes the need to strengthen operational confidentiality and improve the effectiveness of future enforcement activities.
Marine Patrols with UPTD KKP3K-KDPS
Blue swimming crabs caught by fishers in the waters of Pulau Derawan District.
YLBKD and GC also supported two marine patrols with UPTD KKP3K-KDPS Tanjung Batu, covering 174 km in the waters of Pulau Derawan District.
During the patrols, officers observed substantial lobster catches and identified indications that some fishers were using compressors during fishing operations. They also encountered sea turtles entangled in fishing nets.
The team continued educating fishers about marine protected area boundaries, no-take zones, and fishing restrictions. These findings highlight the importance of regular patrols to improve compliance, monitor fishing practices, and protect marine species within the Derawan Marine Protected Area.
Rescuing a Green Sea Turtle in Sigending, Biduk-Biduk
A green sea turtle was found tied up near the Sigending mangrove forest, Biduk-Biduk.
In southern Berau, YLBKD and GC supported a 23 km patrol by Forlika Biduk-Biduk, focusing on sea turtle protection in Sigending.
During the patrol, Forlika rangers discovered a green sea turtle that someone had deliberately tied up near the Sigending mangrove forest. The rangers rescued and released the turtle.
This incident demonstrates the importance of local conservation groups in detecting threats and taking immediate action to protect endangered marine wildlife.
Marine Enforcement Patrols with PSDKP Tarakan – 228 km
With support from YLBKD and GC, PSDKP Tarakan conducted 228 km of fisheries enforcement patrols in the waters of Pulau Derawan District.
Officers encountered fishers with a wide range of catches, including reef fish, rays, shellfish, lobsters, octopuses, and even seahorses.
A seahorse caught in a fishing net in the waters of Pulau Derawan District.
Most fishers used relatively low-impact fishing gear, including nets and hooks. However, officers also identified indications of compressor use during fishing activities.
These observations emphasize the necessity of continued monitoring to ensure that fishers comply with fishing regulations and sustainably manage marine resources.
During the patrol, Mr. Rico, a PSDKP Tarakan fisheries officer, also released a hawksbill sea turtle that had become entangled in a fishing net.
PSDKP Tarakan fisheries officer Mr. Rico releases a hawksbill sea turtle caught in a fishing net in the waters of Pulau Derawan District.
Marine Enforcement Patrols in Buru Island, Maluku—67 km
YLBKD and GC continued supporting marine enforcement activities with the Maluku Fisheries Agency (DKP Maluku) through a 67 km patrol around Buru Island in October.
The patrol strengthened government oversight of fishing activities and marine resource use in the island's surrounding waters. It also complemented ongoing community-led species protection efforts along the Buru coastline.
Protecting Leatherback Sea Turtles on Buru Island
In Fena Leisela District, Buru Island, Pokmaswas Sugiraja Watulu continued protecting sea turtle nesting habitats along approximately 13.9 km of coastline, covering Waenibe, Waspait, Waekose, and Wamlana villages.
September monitoring records documented at least 135 leatherback turtle eggs from two nests, containing 68 and 67 eggs, respectively. Rangers also documented hatchling emergence from several nests, inspected nesting sites, and maintained egg relocation areas.
Leatherback turtle eggs and newly emerged hatchlings on Buru Island.
With support from YLBKD and GC, community rangers conducted beach patrols, monitored nesting turtles, inspected nests, and maintained egg relocation sites.
These activities focused on protecting leatherback turtles and other sea turtle species while strengthening field data collection to support long-term nesting habitat management.
Monitoring Sea Turtle Nesting on Derawan Island
Derawan Village Head Mr. Indra Mahardika, S.E., joins KOMPAK Sabba'Ani in monitoring and protecting sea turtle nests.
YLBKD and GC continued supporting KOMPAK Sabba'Ani in protecting sea turtles and their nesting habitats on Derawan Island through community-led monitoring.
Between July and October 2026, the team recorded 70 turtle landing events and 3,687 eggs. Monthly egg counts increased from 184 in July to 951 in August, 949 in September, and 1,603 in October.
The team recorded the highest number of turtle landings in September, with 25 events, followed by 21 in October.
These records demonstrate continued sea turtle nesting activity on Derawan Island and reinforce the importance of regular monitoring to protect nesting females, eggs, and nesting habitats from human disturbance and other threats.
Pokmaswas Barracuda Records 38 Blacktip Sharks in Maratua
Pokmaswas Barracuda monitors blacktip shark habitats around Maratua Island.
Pokmaswas Barracuda continued patrolling and monitoring blacktip shark habitats around Teluk Lumantang and Tong Bahaba, Maratua Island, covering 121.9 km.
During monitoring activities on October 15 and 24, the team recorded 38 shark sightings, comprising 35 juveniles and three adults. Rangers reported that all observed sharks appeared healthy.
The high proportion of juvenile sharks provides valuable information for further investigation into the ecological importance of these habitats, including their potential role in supporting young sharks.
These activities strengthen community participation in shark protection and provide field observations to support future conservation planning.
Strengthening EarthRanger and Marine Monitor (M2)
YLBKD and GC continued improving technology-based marine surveillance by automating patrol report generation from EarthRanger for the Global Conservation Base Station (GCBS) and Global Conservation Data Analytics (GCDA) systems.
YLBKD/GC introduces the updated M2 interface to conservation and fisheries enforcement stakeholders in East Kalimantan.
The team worked on analyzing patrol activity data, compiling photographic documentation, and generating structured PDF reports.
We also reviewed the latest M2 Viewer user interface and user experience updates, focusing on display improvements, navigation, and ease of use.
The team organized coordination meetings and user briefings with the East Kalimantan Fisheries Agency to collect feedback and identify opportunities for further refinements to the surveillance system.
Community Protection
Savu Sea Expedition: Expanding Conservation Partnerships in Alor
Global Conservation Indonesia Director Dadang Mujiono presents Indonesia's marine conservation programs to Global Conservation board members and advisers aboard Seven Seas.
YLBKD and GC representatives joined the Savu Sea Expedition around Alor, East Nusa Tenggara, aboard the Seven Seas liveaboard in October 2026.
The expedition provided opportunities to observe marine ecosystems and biodiversity while strengthening relationships with conservation partners.
It also opened discussions about potential collaboration and future support for marine protection initiatives in the Savu Sea and surrounding waters.
Sharing Conservation Technology Knowledge in Bogor
YLBKD and GC representatives participated in a conservation technology workshop in Bogor, focusing on Global Nature Watch, EarthRanger, and SMART.
The workshop brought together government agencies and conservation organizations from across Indonesia to exchange knowledge, experiences, and practical approaches to technology-based conservation.
Participants discussed field monitoring, data management, and the use of digital platforms to strengthen protected area surveillance.
Figure 12. Wahyu and Zeno represent YLBKD and GC at the conservation technology workshop in Bogor. © YLBKD/GC
The workshop strengthened national conservation networks and created opportunities to improve the integration and application of conservation technologies in Indonesia.
Supporting the Raudatul Jannah Women's Group on Rhun Island
YLBKD began preparing support for the Raudatul Jannah Women's Group on Rhun Island, Banda Islands, Maluku. The program is scheduled to begin in November 2026.
YLBKD plans to support beach cleanups, environmental education for local communities and schoolchildren, plastic waste reduction, and sustainable waste management activities.
We also plan to donate a Starlink system to improve internet connectivity and help the group communicate with partners, access educational materials, document activities, and submit reports.
This initiative aims to strengthen the role of coastal women in environmental protection and community-led resource management.
Derawan Encyclopedia Enters User Acceptance Testing
The Derawan Encyclopedia homepage.
The YLBKD team continued developing the Derawan Encyclopedia by conducting User Acceptance Testing (UAT).
The testing evaluated system functionality, interface design, ease of use, and whether the platform meets user needs.
This stage will help the team identify improvements before further implementation and publication.
The Derawan Encyclopedia aims to provide an accessible digital knowledge platform covering the archipelago's biodiversity, ecosystems, conservation initiatives, and local communities.
Expanding Conservation Communication and Outreach
Selected conservation highlights published on YLBKD's social media platforms.
YLBKD continued sharing conservation activities and achievements through its social media platforms.
In October, the team prepared and published its Second Four-Month Highlights Report (May–August 2026) on Instagram.
Figure 15. Selected conservation highlights published on YLBKD's social media platforms. © YLBKD/GC
These publications help communicate conservation progress, highlight the contributions of government agencies and local communities, and increase public access to information about marine protection activities.
Cleaning Sea Turtle Nesting Beaches on Derawan Island
KOMPAK Sabba'Ani members clean sea turtle nesting beaches on Derawan Island.
KOMPAK Sabba'Ani continued organizing beach cleanups on Derawan Island to protect sea turtle landing and nesting habitats.
Community members removed waste and debris that could obstruct nesting females, interfere with nesting activities, or affect the condition of nesting sites.
These activities complement regular turtle patrols and demonstrate how local communities can protect nesting habitats through both monitoring and environmental maintenance.
Closing Remarks
Throughout October 2026, YLBKD and Global Conservation supported 970 km of marine enforcement patrols across East Kalimantan and Maluku, alongside 121.9 km of community-led shark-monitoring patrols in Maratua. Working with government agencies and local conservation groups, we rescued sea turtles from deliberate restraint and fishing nets, monitored 38 blacktip shark sightings, and continued protecting sea turtle nesting habitats on Derawan and Buru Islands.
We also strengthened surveillance capabilities through EarthRanger and M2, supported community conservation initiatives, and expanded partnerships in Maluku and East Nusa Tenggara. Through our Global Park Defense and Community Protection programs, we continue to improve marine enforcement, strengthen local participation, and protect Indonesia's marine biodiversity for future generations.
Yayasan Laut Biru Kepulauan Derawan (YLBKD), in collaboration with Global Conservation (GC), continued to strengthen marine protection in the Derawan Archipelago through support for patrol operations, the deployment of M2 monitoring technology, capacity building for law enforcement, and initiatives focused on community empowerment and applied research.