Short-Term Ecological Impact of TPK Pulau Kei Kecil, Pulau-Pulau dan Perairan Sekitarnya (Kei Kecil MPA)

A report on short-term ecological impacts from the Taman Pulau Kecil (TPK) Pulau Kei Kecil, Pulau-Pulau dan Perairan Sekitarnya (Kei Kecil MPA), in Maluku province, Indonesia, based on monitoring conducted in 2015 and 2018. Kei Kecil MPA was initiated in 2012 and formally established in 2016. Results suggest that hard coral cover is stable in the no-take zones and sustainable fishing (use) zones within the MPA. However, fish functional group (herbivore) biomass and key fisheries species biomass is declining within the MPA. There is limited evidence that the MPA is having a positive impact on ecological conditions using a matched-control sites impact evaluation framework. This lack of impact is unsurprising given the short time (two years) between formal MPA establishment and this evaluation. Results highlight the importance of continued MPA management actions focused on building MPA effectiveness to improve MPA performance.