Coral Triangle Conservation Fund

Have you heard of Small Island Developing States (SIDS)? 🏝️ SIDS face unique challenges to sustainable development due to geography, their limited resources, and heightened vulnerability to climate impacts. Despite stewarding rich biodiversity and vast marine ecosystems, SIDS often lack the resources and capacity for effective conservation and climate adaptation efforts. At #COP16 in Cali, Colombia, David Meyers, Executive Director of the Conservation Finance Alliance and a member of the CTCF technical team, moderated a panel exploring these challenges and discussing the potential establishment of a SIDS Conservation Trust Fund Community of Practice. Panelists delved into the design and operational strategies of trust funds that could effectively mobilise resources, build resilience, and drive long-term conservation outcomes in island nations. They also evaluated how collaborative funding models could enhance self-sufficiency and promote shared learning among SIDS, fostering resilience across regions.   Similarly, in the Coral Triangle, the Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, and Papua New Guinea—also classified as SIDS—face comparable constraints. Through a regional trust fund, the Coral Triangle Conservation Fund (CTCF) aims to support these nations, helping them reach their biodiversity and climate resilience goals by providing the sustainable financial backing crucial for impactful conservation efforts. Are you from an island nation? Comment below! #CTCF #SIDS #COP16 #CoralTriangle #MarineConservation #CoralTriangle #Conservation #Sustainability #BlueCarbon #MPCAs #CoralTriangle #EcosystemRestoration #CommunityBuilding #NatureFinance

Halo! 🇮🇩 With over 17,000 islands, Indonesia plays a pivotal role in the Coral Triangle, the global epicentre of marine biodiversity. Uniquely positioned across all three of the Coral Triangle Conservation Fund's (CTCF) priority seascapes—the Sulu-Sulawesi, Lesser Sunda, and Bismarck-Solomon Seas—Indonesia is essential for the health of our oceans. For centuries, indigenous communities like the Bajau Laut have depended on these waters for their livelihood and cultural heritage.  The country is home to 75% of the world’s coral species and supports more than 1,400 species of reef fish. Iconic regions like Raja Ampat showcase the richness of Indonesia’s waters, providing critical habitats such as coral reefs, mangroves, and seagrass meadows. These ecosystems not only sustain fisheries but also act as natural carbon sinks, essential in the fight against climate change. At the CTCF, we believe Indonesia’s stewardship is vital to preserving migratory species—like sea turtles and whale sharks—that travel across Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines. By supporting effective management of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and transboundary projects, we can protect biodiversity, promote eco-tourism, and benefit coastal communities. Do you know of any transboundary projects? Comment below!    Join us in protecting the coral triangle: www.coraltrianglefund.org    #CTCF #Indonesia #CoralTriangle #MarineConservation #CoralTriangle #Conservation #Sustainability #BlueCarbon #MPCAs #CoralTriangle #EcosystemRestoration #CommunityBuilding #NatureFinance    Photo Credits: Map of Indonesia / Nations Online Project, The Ocean Agency / Ocean Image Bank, Tracey Jennings / Ocean Image Bank 

Selamat Pagi! 🇲🇾 Malaysia’s coasts are not only home to an incredible 550 coral species but also to the Bajau and Mah Meri - coastal communities whose lives are intertwined with the ocean. As Malaysia plays a crucial role in the Coral Triangle’s marine biodiversity, its conservation efforts must span borders to support endangered species like sea turtles and dugongs.       The Semporna Marine Park, part of the Sulu Sulawesi Seascape, is a biodiversity hotspot renowned for vibrant coral reefs and rich fish populations, yet faces growing threats from illegal fishing. Empowering Indigenous communities to manage Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) can be vital for safeguarding these ecosystems. By blending traditional knowledge with modern conservation practices, these communities play a key role in promoting sustainable resource use and biodiversity protection.      A successful example of this approach can be seen in the Sugud Islands Marine Conservation Area (SIMCA) on Sabah’s east coast, Malaysia’s first IUCN Green List site. Through a collaborative government-private partnership, SIMCA has effectively protected local marine species and habitats. Similarly, Malaysia’s largest multi-use marine park, Tun Mustapha Park, demonstrates how involving multiple stakeholders is essential in preserving critical marine habitats and promoting long-term conservation outcomes.    Protecting these shared marine ecosystems isn’t just about preserving nature—it’s about sustaining livelihoods and honouring the deep connections between people and the sea.      Have you been to any of Malaysia’s Marine Parks? Comment below!    Join us in protecting the coral triangle: www.coraltrianglefund.org    #CTCF #Malaysia #CoralTriangle #MarineConservation #CoralTriangle #Conservation #Sustainability #BlueCarbon #MPCAs #CoralTriangle #EcosystemRestoration #CommunityBuilding    Photo Credits: Map of Malaysia / Brittanica, Semporna / KAYAK, Last of the Sea Nomads / James Morgan 

Kumusta 🇵🇭! Located at the tip of the Coral Triangle, and the most densely populated of the Coral Triangle countries, the Philippines is often considered the global epicentre of marine biodiversity, home to incredible megafauna such as whale sharks, mantas, and dugongs. Indigenous communities like the Sama-Bajau live in close connection with the sea, depending on fishing for both food and income. The country also boasts rich mangroves and seagrass meadows, which are vital for fisheries and carbon storage. The Philippines has the largest population of reef fishers in the world, making the health of marine ecosystems critically important for their livelihoods. Central Philippines, much of which lies in the Sulu Sulawesi Seascape, has some of the highest numbers of endemic reef fish species in the world and is a critical ecological corridor that hosts migratory routes for tunas, mackerels, billfish, whale sharks, and manta rays. These migratory patterns support regional fisheries, which millions of people depend on for food and livelihoods. At the Coral Triangle Conservation Fund, we work to protect the Philippines' reefs and migratory pathways through community-based initiatives, transboundary marine protected and conserved areas (MPCAs), and sustainable fishing practices. By safeguarding these routes and ecosystems, we ensure food security and strengthen coastal resilience for future generations. Join us in supporting the preservation of the Philippines' marine biodiversity and the greater Coral Triangle region! Find out more here: www.coraltrianglefund.org #CTCF #Philippines #CoralTriangle #MarineConservation #CoralTriangle #Conservation #Sustainability #BlueCarbon #MPCAs #CoralTriangle #EcosystemRestoration #CommunityBuilding #NatureFinance Photo Credits: BBC News / Map of Philippines, Gregory Piper / Ocean Image Bank, Cinzia Osele Bismarck / Ocean Image Bank 

At the core of the Coral Triangle Conservation Fund (CTCF), our broader goal is to bridge the significant funding gaps in one of the world’s most vital yet underfunded regions – the Coral Triangle. This area is home to incredible marine biodiversity and coastal communities that depend heavily on healthy ecosystems. To continue improving our efforts, we look toward global conservation networks for learning and inspiration. Recently, David Meyers, Executive Director of Conservation Finance Alliance which is part of the CTCF Technical team, attended the RedLAC (Latin American and Caribbean Network of Environmental Funds) Congress in St. Lucia. RedLAC, established in 1999, is a platform where global environmental funds, strategic allies, impact investors and members of the global conservation financing community come together to share best practices and network. David Meyers moderated a panel on "Blue Financial Mechanisms and Opportunities for Conservation Trust Funds with a Focus on Marine Targets," where key insights were exchanged on leveraging innovative funding strategies for marine conservation. A central theme of the RedLAC 2024 Congress was the potential of these blue financial mechanisms, such as blue bonds and carbon markets, to mobilize resources that both protect biodiversity and sustain coastal communities. By integrating these lessons, the Coral Triangle Conservation Fund (CTCF) can establish resilient and sustainable financing for this global marine biodiversity hotspot. Join us in protecting the coral triangle: www.coraltrianglefund.org #CTCF #RedLAC #CoralTriangle #MarineConservation #CoralTriangle #Conservation #Sustainability #BlueCarbon #MPCAs #CoralTriangle #EcosystemRestoration #CommunityBuilding #NatureFinance Photo Credits: RedLacOrg / Instagram David Meyers at RedLac Congress 2024 (2nd Row, 3rd from the left)

Gude! 🇵🇬 Papua New Guinea, home to indigenous groups like the Motu who live in harmony with the ocean, boasts one of the most biodiverse marine environments in the world. With over 600 islands, Papua New Guinea is at the heart of the largest of the three seascapes the CTCF prioritises – the Bismarck Solomon Sea Seascape. Fisheries are a lifeline for the nation, accounting for 10% of exports and contributing 3.4% to GDP. Papua New Guinea is one of the few remaining places on Earth where critically endangered sawfish populations still exist. The newly established MPAs, Lovongai and Murat, introduce the country’s first-ever regulations specifically aimed at protecting sawfish and rhino rays. These MPAs are also the first globally to include targeted measures for safeguarding some of the most threatened species of sharks and rays.  Protecting the marine areas within this seascape is crucial for safeguarding fisheries and safeguarding these shared marine ecosystems requires collaboration across borders. This is where a transboundary trust fund like the Coral Triangle Conservation Fund (CTCF) is essential; the CTCF can provide a mechanism that directs financing to transboundary conservation efforts, supporting initiatives that bridge national boundaries. Do you know of any cross-border projects in the Coral Triangle? Comment below! Find out more here: www.coraltrianglefund.org #CTCF #PapuaNewGuinea #CoralTriangle #MarineConservation #CoralTriangle #Conservation #Sustainability #BlueCarbon #MPCAs #CoralTriangle #EcosystemRestoration #CommunityBuilding Photo Credits: BBC News / Map of Papua New Guinea, Sawfish & Rhino Rays / WCS Ocean Tom Vierus / WCS Global Ocean Image Bank 

Halo Olaketa! 🇸🇧 The Solomon Islands lie in the heart of the Bismarck Solomon Seas Seascape, and is home to indigenous groups like the Melanesians and Polynesians. Located in the Southwest Pacific Ocean, the islands are at the intersection of critical ocean currents that sustain their rich marine biodiversity. Some of the interesting marine species that could be spotted here are rainbow runner, tuna, silky and silvertip sharks. Rich in seagrass meadows and mangroves, the Solomon Islands are home to 43% of the world’s mangrove species. With 80% of households involved in fishing and associated pre- and post-harvest activities, coastal resources are vital to the livelihoods of the local communities. Recognising the importance of these resources, the Solomon Islands are committed to an integrated, holistic approach to marine conservation that balances sustainable fishing practices with increasing protection of their waters. The country aims to safeguard at least 15% of its marine areas while ensuring the livelihoods of its people remain secure. The Coral Triangle Conservation Fund (CTCF) aims to support the area-based conservation goals of Coral Triangle countries like Solomon Islands by supporting the effective design and management of Marine Protected and Conserved Areas (MPCAs) to protect vital marine ecosystems and in-turn the livelihoods of coastal communities.   Are you from a community that relies on the ocean? Comment down below! Find out more here: www.coraltrianglefund.org #CTCF #SolomonIslands #CoralTriangle #MarineConservation #CoralTriangle #Conservation #Sustainability #BlueCarbon #MPCAs #CoralTriangle #EcosystemRestoration #CommunityBuilding Photo Credits: Map of Solomon Islands / Britannica, Alec Hughes, Tom Vierus / Solomon Islands / WCS Ocean Image Bank 

Bondia! 🇹🇱 Lying in the heart of the Lesser Sunda Seascape, Timor-Leste is the smallest and one of the newest nations in the Coral Triangle and is home to more than 1,200 species of reef fish and 400 reef-building coral species. Due to peculiarities in its marine geography, reefs in Timor-Leste may be one of the more climate-resilient reefs in the Coral Triangle, with most of the high-resilience reefs found in the country thought to be in Nino Konis Santana National Park and around Atauro Island. Indigenous communities like the Fataluku maintain close cultural ties to the sea. They practice tara bandu, a customary law system that enforces the sustainable management of marine resources, with strict rules about when and where fishing is permitted. This helps sustain key habitats for marine life, including lush seagrass meadows and dense mangrove forests that provide breeding grounds for unique species found nowhere else, ensuring the survival of megafauna like dugongs and blue whales. To ensure long-term protection of these ecosystems, the Coral Triangle Conservation Fund (CTCF) is seeking to fund community-driven projects that empower indigenous communities, like the Fataluku, ensuring that conservation efforts are sustainable and locally led.  Comment below if you have been to Timor Leste! Find out more here: www.coraltrianglefund.org #CTCF #TimorLeste #CoralTriangle #MarineConservation #CoralTriangle #Conservation #Sustainability #BlueCarbon #MPCAs #CoralTriangle #EcosystemRestoration #CommunityBuilding Photo Credits: Map of Timor Leste / Britannica, Ano Tome / Atauro Island / Unsplash, Tracey Jennings / Ocean Image Bank 

Located in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, the Bismarck Solomon Seas Seascape is the least explored of the three CTI priority seascapes. It covers a vast area, including the waters surrounding east Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands.  This seascape was once established for the protection of leatherback turtle migratory areas. Today, the seascape is renowned for its rich marine biodiversity and cultural heritage. It is home to some of the world’s most significant coral reefs, providing essential habitats for diverse marine life and supporting the livelihoods of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs) through traditional fishing and small-scale tourism. As one of the three seascapes that CTCF will prioritize, we will support efforts such as those aligned with our Transform pillar of the CTCF strategy, where we aim to build sustainable economic relationships between IPLC, private actors, and the marine ecosystems of the Bismarck Solomon Seas. We will support initiatives that empower IPLCs to manage their marine resources sustainably, ensuring that the economic benefits are equitably shared and contribute to long-term conservation goals.  By promoting sustainable fisheries and tourism practices, we aim to enhance the resilience of the ecosystems and the communities that rely on them, securing a sustainable future for this ecologically and culturally important region. Find out more here: https://lnkd.in/gm-js9S3 #CTCF #Seascape #CoralTriangle #MarineConservation #CoralTriangle #Conservation #Sustainability #BlueCarbon #MPCAs #CoralTriangle #EcosystemRestoration #CommunitySupport Photo Credits: Coral Triangle Conservation Fund, Tom Vierus / Solomon Islands / WCS Global Image Bank, Alex Mustard / Ocean Image Bank