Coral reef ecosystems are fundamental to the global food supply, climate resilience and livelihoods of one billion people. The Coral Triangle, which extends along the coasts of Southeast Asia, represents 76% of the world’s reefs and 30% of the world’s tuna production. The UK’s assessment of national security on global ecosystems considers this region to be critical because it supports supplies of seafood that weigh on the UK’s food security. However, overfishing and habitat destruction threaten more than 85% of reefs. The United Kingdom is working to protect this essential marine environment. In Indonesia, local authorities and fishing communities are setting up protected marine areas and applying sustainable fishing rules. With the help of the United Kingdom, Indonesia has created its largest marine area under community co-management, thus strengthening local conservation. British funding has also supported a new anchoring model that allows ships to anchor themselves without damaging the reefs. A total of 10 nchorages are installed, protecting more than 1,700 species of coral. At the national level in Indonesia, British investment has to date made it possible to place more than 526,000 hectares under sustainable management, a direct contribution to the ICF KPI 17. Beyond biodiversity and food security, these funds help coastal communities develop new approaches to preserve fish stocks for generations to come, thus strengthening global food security.
