With the support from LEAD International and Darwin Initiative, LEAD Indonesia has completed three year project in Buleleng district, Bali (for details click here), to secure the marine habitat from the use of cyanide by the local fishermen in Buleleng District, Bali. The project aimed to shift the destructive fishing practices by reefs fish fishermen who collect beautiful marine fish, into sustainable fishing practices, by having partnership with Marine Aquarium Council (MAC) who certify the fishermen after they meet the standard, and Reef Check Indonesia, who trained the fishermen the capacity to monitor their marine resources condition.

The local community organizer, Indrawati, from Pilang, local NGO, has created community-based marine resource management (Badan Pengelola) in three villages (Pejarakan, Penyabangan, Sumberkima) as community council that has the authority to manage marine resources use in the village level and the role to have policy dialog with the local government agencies. Two of "lembaga pengelola" has already legal basis as the local government agency acknowledge the existence of the institution, through PERDES or Peraturan Desa (Village Regulations).

The local reefs fishermen also had experience to work with the certified exporter to sell reefs fish collected by MAC standard, with higher price. LEAD Indonesia has supported by providing promotional materials. Toward a more effective and beneficial relations, the fishermen develop fishermen community based enterprise. They have higher bargaining power, and it can mobilize further the role of the enterprise toward green and fair trade for eco fish.

A case study book of the story from Buleleng has been launched, titled "We believe in piama". The case is about Ahmad Suhaeri who has rediscovered "piama" (Pomacanthus Navarchus) reefs fish that had been disappeared for years, following the project that introducing environmentally fishing practices.

Ketut Baktiyasa said "I will stop using cyanide forever for the brighter future of my children and grandchildren.

The recovery of reefs condition and the re-appearance of various reefs fish are the indicators of the progress made by the fishermen community who practice environmentally friendly fishing practices. Please read the case study here. Documentary film is available, please see and enjoy the film here.

The fact that cyanide use has been decreased will allow the marine resources become healthier and brings benefits to the coastal community, not only for reefs fish fishermen but for many other uses of marine resources in the area. The survey conducted by MAC and Reef Check shows that the abundance of the reefs fish increased more than 2.5 times from year 2005 to year 2007, as well as the reef fish diversity. It also shows the recovery of the reefs, as the habitat of many marine species, around 30%.