September 2026 Highlights: Expanding Technology-Based Surveillance and Strengthening Species Protection
Throughout September 2026, Yayasan Laut Biru Kepulauan Derawan (YLBKD) and Global Conservation (GC) continued strengthening protected-area and species protection through field patrols, surveillance technology, and community engagement. A major milestone this month was the launch of surveillance support for Mahakam dolphin habitat along the Mahakam River, alongside continued marine patrols in the Derawan Archipelago and Maluku, shark monitoring in Maratua, and strengthened sea turtle protection.
Camera Surveillance Launched for Mahakam Dolphin Habitat
Camera trap installed in Kota Bangun.
YLBKD/GC, together with the Pontianak Marine Management Agency, deployed four solar-powered camera traps at strategic locations in Kota Bangun, Kutai Kartanegara. Wildlife Protection Solutions (WPS), in collaboration with GC/YLBKD, provided the equipment to strengthen surveillance of the Mahakam dolphin habitat.
The cameras will document fishing vessels and activities, wildlife presence, and conditions within the monitored areas. The visual data will strengthen fisheries surveillance and provide additional information to support data-driven protection of Mahakam dolphin habitat.
174 km of Marine Patrols in the Derawan Archipelago
Napoleon wrasse were observed in a fisher's catch in Tanjung Batu during fisheries monitoring.
Together with UPTD KKP3K-KDPS, the team conducted 174 km of marine patrols across the Derawan Archipelago Marine Protected Area.
Patrol officers encountered several fishers operating inside a core zone. The fishers were informed about zoning regulations and instructed to move their fishing activities outside the protected zone. Patrols also covered the waters around Balikukup Island, following a recent incident involving the poaching of a green sea turtle.
Community Turtle Patrols Connected to EarthRanger
KOMPAK Sabba'Ani continued sea turtle patrols and monitoring. Turtle landings observed during patrols were documented and recorded in EarthRanger, allowing locations and events to be systematically captured within the monitoring system.
Integrating community patrols with EarthRanger is part of our effort to connect local monitoring with digital conservation tools, providing more structured information for evaluation and conservation decision-making.
DKP Maluku Patrols Cover 225 km of Seram Waters
Fisheries surveillance conducted by GP III officers.
Our marine protection program with DKP Maluku continued through patrols across North Seram, Northwest Seram, and East Seram, covering approximately 225 km during September.
Teams monitored fishing vessels, fishing gear, permits, fishing locations, and resource use within and around marine conservation areas. In North and Northwest Seram, patrols also involved Pokmaswas Toma Rala of Besi Village and the SABORA Fisheries Access Area Management Group (PAAP).
No activities directly indicating violations of conservation-area regulations were detected during these patrols. Teams also engaged with local fishers to strengthen awareness and encourage communities to become active participants in coastal and marine surveillance.
Continued Blacktip Shark Monitoring in Teluk Alulu
Monitoring conducted by members of Pokmaswas Barracuda.
YLBKD/GC continued monitoring blacktip shark habitat around Teluk Alulu, Maratua Island. Approximately 50 km of patrols were conducted during September, focusing on two monitoring areas: Teluk Lumantang and Pulau Semut waters.
This work contributes to our longer-term effort to build field information on blacktip shark habitat while strengthening the involvement of the Teluk Alulu community in species protection.
Exploring Marine Conservation Collaboration in East Nusa Tenggara
YLBKD/GC held a virtual meeting with the East Nusa Tenggara Provincial Marine and Fisheries Agency (DKP NTT) to introduce GC/YLBKD's protected-area protection approach and discuss surveillance needs and potential areas of collaboration.
The meeting was an initial step toward understanding field conditions and identifying potential support for strengthening marine protected-area management and marine resource protection in the province.
Strengthening Sea Turtle Protection Coordination on Derawan Island
YLBKD/GC coordinated with the Derawan Village Government, UPTD KKP3K-KDPS, and other stakeholders to strengthen sea turtle protection on Derawan Island.
The meeting focused on aligning roles in turtle monitoring, habitat protection, and surveillance of activities that could threaten sea turtles. This coordination is part of preparations for a more integrated protection system connecting government authorities, local communities, and surveillance technology.
Strengthening Pokmaswas Barracuda in Teluk Alulu
Field vest design for Pokmaswas Barracuda.
Support for Pokmaswas Barracuda Teluk Alulu continued through institutional development, including the preparation and refinement of its organizational statutes and bylaws (AD/ART), engagement with members, and development of future activities.
YLBKD/GC also supported basic operational needs, including field vests and caps. This institutional support is intended to help Pokmaswas Barracuda develop into an active community group supporting surveillance and protection of Teluk Alulu waters.
Bringing EarthRanger to Community-Based Surveillance
Members of Pokmaswas Barracuda received training and assistance in using EarthRanger to improve the recording and reporting of patrol activities.
The training represents another step toward connecting local knowledge and community presence in the field with digital monitoring technology, allowing community patrol information to be systematically documented and used to support conservation management.
Coordination with Yayasan Penyu Indonesia
YLBKD/GC continued discussions with Yayasan Penyu Indonesia (YPI) through virtual meetings and consultations on sea turtle management and protection. Discussions explored potential collaboration and follow-up activities to strengthen sea turtle conservation, particularly in the Derawan Archipelago.
Derawan Encyclopedia Nears Completion
Development of the Derawan Encyclopedia entered its final stage in September. The team refined content, information architecture, user interface, and visual and technical elements in preparation for publication.
The platform is being developed as a digital knowledge ecosystem for the Derawan Archipelago, bringing together information on biodiversity, ecosystems, protected areas, species, and destinations, as well as knowledge contributed by researchers, government agencies, conservation communities, divers, and local communities.
September demonstrated the expanding reach of YLBKD/GC's conservation approach. From camera surveillance along the Mahakam River and 174 km of patrols in Derawan to 225 km of patrols in Seram and the introduction of EarthRanger to community groups, technology is increasingly being connected with government enforcement and community presence on the ground.
These developments continue to strengthen the two pillars of the YLBKD/GC Indonesia program—Global Park Defense and Community Protection—with the goal of building protection systems that not only detect threats but also strengthen the capacity of the people and institutions closest to the protected areas and species.
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.