Data from surf protected areas study in western Sumatra, Indonesia

Surf ecosystems are regions where marine and terrestrial environments
intersect and produce waves suitable for surfing. These ecosystems support
rich biodiversity and coastal communities, offering ecological, economic,
and social benefits. This project established a framework for
understanding the costs and benefits associated with conservation of surf
ecosystems in western Sumatra, Indonesia. This region was highlighted for
its high quality surf spots and limited infrastructure. One novel strategy
to advance surf conservation is the implementation of Surf Protected Areas
(SPAs) using the LMMA (Locally Managed Marine Area) approach. SPAs provide
a framework to support local communities and ecosystems by establishing
legal and social mechanisms that enhance surf tourism and conservation. To
assess the potential impacts of SPAs, we 1) mapped and characterized the
state and natural value of surf ecosystems in Indonesia, 2) quantified
monetary costs of protecting surf ecosystems and qualitatively analysed
perceived costs of surf development, 3) analyzed and quantified the
various benefits of protecting surf ecosystems, primarily those associated
with coral reefs, and 4) developed a business case for implementing SPAs
in western Sumatra. The business case synthesized the first three
objectives to provide insight into scaling SPAs, identified potential
funding mechanisms, highlighted benefits of SPAs, and provided
recommendations for aligning SPAs with relevant policies and stakeholder
priorities. Our analysis found that the targeted surf breaks and
surrounding ecosystems in Sumatra ranked high in biodiversity but lack
existing conservation efforts, illustrating a strong opportunity for surf
conservation to meaningfully contribute to safeguarding biodiversity. Cost
modeling indicated that supporting LMMA establishment would require
approximately $30 per member of the village population, offering a
practical benchmark for planning community-scale interventions. Surveyed
surfers generally supported the economic benefits of developing surf
tourism but were concerned about associated risks to the environment.
Marine conservation interventions like SPAs can provide long-term economic
and ecological benefits through protecting critical resources like coral
reefs. Development of surf tourism under a conservation framework should
be grounded in community values and priorities to encourage sustainable
development that allows for economic growth while protecting marine
ecosystems or resources.