The growth of Wakatobi’s conservation footprint over the last 30 years shows what’s possible when communities derive real value from maintaining their underwater assets. After more than a quarter-century of self-funded conservation, efficiency is built into every step of the process. With external support, Reefonomics can now scale this proven model — across Wakatobi’s operational area and far beyond the resort’s reach.

Conservation began in 1996 with the first reef lease agreement: one village agreed to stop fishing a short stretch of reef directly in front of the resort, in exchange for a monthly lease payment — a simple shift that created a foundation for long-term protection. From that first step, the initiative has grown to include 18 villages and 20 kilometres of protected reef, actively managed and patrolled by local communities under local leadership.

Reefonomics has already charted a course to the next stage of this expansion: 100 kilometres of protected reef within Wakatobi’s operational area. This expansion does more than protect biodiversity — scaling protection means scaling participation. More reef protection means more income flowing to local communities, more livelihoods linked to healthy ecosystems, and the engagement of a broader network of local stewards.

The potential ecological consequences are far-reaching. Protecting large, diverse, connected reef systems is essential for supporting the natural resilience of coral ecosystems. These reefs act as source habitats — dispersing larvae across the region, buffering nearby ecosystems, and supporting entire marine networks. As the protected area grows, so does the resilience and ecological value of the whole system.