Mongabay · Natuur

Marine conservation collides with mining in Indonesia’s biodiversity-rich Moramo Bay

A marine protected area in Indonesia's Moramo Bay, a vital part of the Coral Triangle, faces increasing pressure from overlapping mining permits and related activities, threatening its rich biodiversity, including critically depleted humphead wrasse populations.

Moramo Bay in Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia, designated as a marine protected area (LMPA) to safeguard its rich biodiversity, is experiencing significant threats from expanding mining operations. A 2024 survey revealed a drastic decline in humphead wrasse, with only 22 individuals found across 10 sampling stations, a significant drop from previous observations. Officials and researchers attribute the bay's coral reef degradation to sedimentation, pollution, and vessel activity, though a direct link to mining has not been definitively established.

The presence of humphead wrasse was a key factor in Moramo Bay's designation as a protected area in 2011, with its size expanding over the years to encompass over 21,000 hectares. This area, situated within the Coral Triangle, is crucial for numerous species. However, a 2024 study highlighted a 12.6% decline in coral cover off Lara Island, where the humphead wrasse is now nearly extinct. The study warned that ongoing limestone mining less than 2 km away could further impact coral reefs through sedimentation and reduced water quality.

Concerns are also raised about nickel mining upstream of the Wandaeha River, which flows into Moramo Bay, leading to observed sedimentation and coral reef damage. This has impacted local shrimp production and poses a threat to habitats for sea bamboo and sea turtles within the conservation area. At least 12 mining permit areas for quarry materials, along with a nickel mine and related infrastructure, are located along the bay's coast, with some permits overlapping the protected zone.

Officials acknowledge that some mining permits predate the conservation area's designation, issued under older spatial plans. However, environmental groups criticize the extension of these permits, especially when they overlap with protected marine areas and tourist destinations. They question the validity of pollution assessments and call for permit evaluations and revocations based on revised spatial plans that prioritize marine conservation.

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