Alor-Solor
Nusa Tenggara
The Alor-Solor region includes the east coast of Flores, the larger islands of Solor, Lembata, Pantar and Alor and some smaller islands and submersed sea-mounts. The area is important for cetacean as confirmed by scientific expeditions and illustrated by the local communities' long-standing traditional whale hunting activities. Economic conditions of the coastal communities in Alor and Solor are less than optimal and as a result unsustainable harvesting levels and -practices have become common ground. Also, the still relatively good status of the ecosystems in this area lures fishers from afar to the area, thus increasing the pressure on the natural resources even more.
WWF has identified initial steps to work with the local and regional government in support of MPA development and sustainable economic development. At the same time WWF works with local communities to monitor harvest of mantas and whales.