Maratua Island is one of the six Berau Islands located on the eastern coastal shelf of Indonesian Borneo. One of the world’s only saltwater lakes is nestled in this region, and the white sand beaches of the Berau Islands are one of the largest green turtle nesting sites in Indonesia. There are four fishing villages on Maratua Island itself. These communities, as well as others in the area, depend heavily on marine resources for income and food. Destructive fishing techniques have resulted in overexploitation of several species.
Seacology is assisting a local organization, BESTARI, help fishermen become less dependent on reef resources by building fish aggregating devices (FADs). These simple devices attract pelagic fish species. FADs have already helped island residents make a living from fishing and have also diminished illegal and destructive techniques such as dynamite and cyanide fishing.