BARUNA — Indonesia's Marine and Fisheries Knowledge & Capacity Building Network
Allocated Zones for Aquaculture
OPEN ENROLLMENTFULLY ONLINEINDIVIDUAL SELF-PACED

Allocated Zones for Aquaculture

Allocated Zones for Aquaculture: Planning Sustainable Aquaculture through Marine Spatial Planning

A Practical Individual Training Based on the FAO–GFCM AZA Approach

Plan the Space. Protect the Ecosystem. Sustain Aquaculture.

IntermediateFully OnlineIndividual Self-PacedOpen Enrollment12–14 Learning Hours30-Day AccessEnglish · Bahasa Indonesia SupportDigital Certificate Available
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Program Overview

This individual self-paced training introduces the principles and methodological process for establishing Allocated Zones for Aquaculture, or AZAs.

Participants learn how Marine Spatial Planning provides the broader multi-sectoral spatial framework, while AZA translates that framework into more detailed planning specifically for sustainable aquaculture development.

The course covers spatial-use conflicts, governance, data requirements, environmental and socio-economic criteria, stakeholder analysis, multi-criteria assessment, carrying capacity, and environmental monitoring.

Each participant completes an individual preliminary AZA planning proposal using either a BARUNA simulation case or a selected area from their own professional context.

Why This Training Matters

  • Aquaculture must share limited marine and coastal space with fisheries, tourism, shipping, energy, conservation and coastal infrastructure.
  • Without spatial planning, sector expansion generates conflicts, environmental damage and stalled licensing.
  • MSP and AZA provide a proven, participatory framework for reconciling these uses.
  • This training equips public officials and practitioners to plan sustainable aquaculture zones — independently and at their own pace.

Learning Outcomes

After completing the course, participants should be able to:

  1. 1Explain competition and complexity in the use of marine and coastal space.
  2. 2Explain the relationship between Marine Spatial Planning and Allocated Zones for Aquaculture.
  3. 3Identify the principal stages in the FAO–GFCM-based AZA methodological process.
  4. 4Identify environmental, socio-economic, administrative, and regulatory data required for aquaculture zoning.
  5. 5Develop preliminary aquaculture suitability criteria and threshold values.
  6. 6Analyse stakeholders, institutional responsibilities, interests, influence, and potential spatial conflicts.
  7. 7Classify areas as suitable, suitable with restrictions, or unsuitable for aquaculture.
  8. 8Apply basic multi-criteria analysis to an aquaculture zoning case.
  9. 9Prepare a preliminary environmental monitoring plan.
  10. 10Develop an individual preliminary AZA proposal.

Who Should Join

  • Government officials responsible for aquaculture, marine spatial planning, coastal management, environment, and licensing
  • Regional and local government planners
  • Aquaculture technical officers and extension workers
  • Marine and coastal planners
  • GIS and spatial-data practitioners
  • Academics and researchers
  • Conservation-area managers
  • Development partners
  • Aquaculture associations and practitioners
  • Professionals involved in sustainable blue-economy development

Prerequisite: Basic knowledge of aquaculture, marine and coastal management, spatial planning, environmental management, public policy, or GIS is recommended but not mandatory.

Course Curriculum

0

Course Orientation

AZA-M01h · 2Q

Welcome, program overview, learning outcomes, navigation, assessment requirements, case-study introduction, and a diagnostic pre-test.

Content

  • Welcome to the Course
  • Program Overview
  • Learning Outcomes
  • How to Navigate the Course
  • Assessment Requirements
  • Introduction to the AZA Case Study
  • Pre-Test (diagnostic only — not counted toward the final grade)

Activity

Complete participant profile, select a learning-case option (A. BARUNA Simulation Case, or B. Participant's Own Area), and complete the diagnostic pre-test.

1

Marine Space, Competition and Complexity

AZA-M11h · 3Q

Marine space as a limited resource, multiple uses, competition, and the consequences of unplanned aquaculture development.

Content

  • Marine space as a limited resource
  • Multiple uses of marine and coastal areas
  • Aquaculture as part of an interconnected spatial system
  • Competition involving fisheries, tourism, shipping, energy, conservation, ports, and coastal infrastructure
  • Spatial conflicts
  • Consequences of aquaculture development without planning

Activity

Identify three potential marine-space conflicts in a selected coastal area.

2

Marine Spatial Planning

AZA-M21h · 2Q

MSP as a public, policy-driven, decision-making process for the spatial and temporal allocation of marine activities.

Content

  • Definition of Marine Spatial Planning
  • MSP as a public and policy-driven process
  • Spatial and temporal allocation of activities
  • Integration of scientific data, policy objectives, and stakeholder input
  • MSP as a decision-making framework
  • Aquaculture with and without MSP
  • Strategic spatial outputs and maps

Activity

Identify existing and potential uses in a selected coastal or marine area.

3

Introduction to Allocated Zones for Aquaculture

AZA-M31h · 3Q

AZA as a practical implementation tool derived from MSP, classifying areas as suitable, suitable with restriction, or unsuitable.

Content

  • Definition of an Allocated Zone for Aquaculture
  • AZA as a practical implementation tool derived from MSP
  • Difference and complementarity between MSP and AZA
  • MSP–AZA–site licensing workflow
  • AZA implementation principles
  • Zoning and monitoring
  • Ecosystem approach to aquaculture
  • Multiple criteria, limiting factors and priorities
  • Economic, environmental, and social benefits

Activity

Interactive area-classification exercise.

4

Governance and Institutional Framework

AZA-M41.5h · 2Q · assignment

Legal context, institutional roles, licensing and leasing, participatory zoning, and monitoring/enforcement responsibilities.

Content

  • Legal and regulatory context
  • National and local aquaculture plans
  • Institutional roles and responsibilities
  • Inter-agency coordination
  • Licensing and leasing processes
  • Participatory and transparent zoning
  • Integration of AZA into planning and regulation
  • Monitoring and enforcement responsibilities

Assignment

Institutional Map — Prepare an Institutional Map for your selected study area. List every relevant authority and describe its jurisdiction, planning, licensing and monitoring roles, and coordination relationships.

5

AZA Methodological Process

AZA-M51.5h · 3Q

The seven-stage FAO–GFCM AZA methodological process, from contextualisation to finalisation and implementation.

Content

  • 1. Contextualisation of the establishment process
  • 2. Information and data collection
  • 3. Pre-selection of potential AZA
  • 4. Consultation and validation
  • 5. Analysis of aquaculture potentiality
  • 6. Carrying-capacity and monitoring plans
  • 7. Finalisation and implementation
  • Principal methodological components: needs and objectives; sector analysis; legal framework; study area; stakeholder identification; parameters; fieldwork; criteria; preliminary maps and reports; participatory approach; thematic cartography; environmental and socio-economic studies; compatibility assessment; proposed activities; carrying capacity; monitoring; final legal arrangements.

Activity

Interactive process map, arrange-the-process exercise, methodological planning checklist, and scenario-based quiz.

6

Spatial Data and Parameters

AZA-M61.5h · 2Q · assignment

Study-area definition, primary vs secondary data, georeferenced information, GIS, and the environmental / administrative / socio-economic parameters that feed AZA.

Content

  • Definition of the study area
  • Primary and secondary data
  • Georeferenced data
  • GIS, mapping, satellite and remote-sensing information
  • Data availability, accuracy, scale and limitations
  • Environmental parameters (bathymetry, seabed, currents, waves, SST, chlorophyll, water quality, sensitive habitats)
  • Administrative and socio-economic parameters (MPAs, fishing areas, tourism, diving, discharges, river mouths, shorelines, ports, shipping, military, pipelines, cables, oil & gas, coastal infrastructure, livelihoods, market access)

Assignment

AZA Spatial Data Inventory — Complete the AZA Spatial Data Inventory for your study area. Identify each parameter needed, its category, availability, source, format, scale, quality, relevance, gaps, and recommended action.

7

Criteria and Multi-Criteria Analysis

AZA-M71.5h · 3Q · assignment

Environmental, socio-economic, administrative and regulatory criteria; suitability thresholds; scoring; weighting; and compatibility assessment.

Content

  • Environmental criteria
  • Socio-economic criteria
  • Administrative and regulatory criteria
  • Suitability thresholds
  • Exclusion criteria
  • Limiting factors
  • Suitability scoring
  • Criteria weighting
  • Compatibility assessment
  • Interpretation of results

Assignment

Individual AZA Criteria Matrix — Develop your AZA Criteria Matrix. For each criterion, define the unit, threshold, suitability score, weight, whether it is a limiting factor, source and justification.

8

Stakeholder Analysis

AZA-M81.5h · 2Q · assignment

Identifying stakeholders, their interests and influence, spatial-use conflicts, and consultation, validation and engagement strategies.

Content

  • Identification of relevant stakeholders
  • Interest and influence
  • Potential support and resistance
  • Spatial-use conflicts
  • Consultation methods
  • Validation mechanisms
  • Transparency and documentation
  • Social acceptance and equity

Assignment

Stakeholder Interest–Influence Matrix — Complete a Stakeholder Interest–Influence Matrix for your study area. For each stakeholder, describe their interest, influence, expected impact, potential conflict, engagement strategy, consultation method, and the responsible authority.

9

Carrying Capacity and Environmental Monitoring

AZA-M91.5h · 2Q · assignment

Aquaculture carrying capacity, Allowable Zone of Effect, indicators, thresholds, corrective action and adaptive management.

Content

  • Aquaculture carrying capacity
  • Relationship between production and environmental conditions
  • Allowable Zone of Effect
  • Environmental indicators
  • Monitoring locations
  • Monitoring frequency
  • Thresholds
  • Corrective action
  • Adaptive management
  • Environmental Monitoring Programme

Assignment

Draft Environmental Monitoring Plan — Prepare a Draft Environmental Monitoring Plan for your proposed AZA. For each parameter, define its purpose, location, frequency, method, threshold, responsible party, reporting mechanism, and corrective action.

10

Case Studies and Adaptation

AZA-M101h · 2Q

Selected AZA case studies, lessons learned, and adaptation to ASEAN and Indonesian contexts.

Content

  • Selected AZA case studies
  • Lessons from implementation
  • Differences in geographical and institutional contexts
  • Adaptation based on data availability
  • Institutional challenges
  • Stakeholder involvement
  • Transferability of the approach
  • Adaptation to ASEAN and Indonesian contexts

Activity

Identify three lessons that can be adapted to your selected area. Reflection: What elements should be adapted rather than copied directly?

Individual Learning Journey

  1. 1View Program
  2. 2Enroll Anytime
  3. 3Start Course Immediately
  4. 4Complete Participant Profile
  5. 5Complete Pre-Test
  6. 6Complete Modules 1–3
  7. 7Complete Modules 4–6
  8. 8Complete Modules 7–9
  9. 9Review Case Studies
  10. 10Develop Individual AZA Proposal
  11. 11Submit Final Project
  12. 12Complete Post-Test
  13. 13Administrative Completeness Check
  14. 14Asynchronous Expert Review
  15. 15Receive Written Feedback
  16. 16Revise Project if Required
  17. 17Final Approval
  18. 18Complete Course Evaluation
  19. 19Receive Digital Certificate
  20. 20Join the AZA and Sustainable Aquaculture Community

Participants never have to wait for other participants. Progress is individual and fully asynchronous.

Final Individual Project

Preliminary Allocated Zone for Aquaculture Proposal

The final project is completed individually. Participants choose one of two options:

OPTION A

BARUNA Simulation Case

Use a standard fictional coastal-area dataset supplied by BARUNA.

OPTION B

Participant's Own Area

Use a selected professional, local, regional or national area.

Required components

  • 1. Study-area profile
  • 2. Aquaculture-development objective
  • 3. Selected species or commodity
  • 4. Relevant legal and institutional context
  • 5. Institutional map
  • 6. Stakeholder map
  • 7. Spatial-data inventory
  • 8. Environmental criteria
  • 9. Socio-economic criteria
  • 10. Administrative and regulatory criteria
  • 11. Criteria weighting matrix
  • 12. Limiting factors
  • 13. Preliminary suitability classification
  • 14. Classification of suitable, restricted, and unsuitable areas
  • 15. Preliminary AZA map or zoning sketch
  • 16. Justification for the proposed AZA
  • 17. Management recommendations
  • 18. Draft Environmental Monitoring Plan
  • 19. Key data limitations
  • 20. Individual implementation action plan

Uploads

  • • Completed project template
  • • Preliminary map or zoning sketch
  • • Executive summary (max 2 pages)
  • • Final individual reflection
  • • (optional) Recorded project presentation (max 5 minutes) — optional

The optional recorded presentation does not affect certification eligibility.

Assessment and Completion Requirements

Weighting:

ComponentWeight
Module quizzes20%
Institutional and stakeholder mapping10%
Spatial data inventory10%
AZA criteria matrix15%
Environmental Monitoring Plan10%
Final Individual AZA Proposal30%
Post-course reflection5%

Pre-test is diagnostic only and excluded from the final grade. Passing grade: minimum 70/100.

Completion requires:

  • Complete every mandatory module
  • Complete every mandatory quiz
  • Submit all required individual assignments
  • Complete the final individual project
  • Complete the post-test
  • Achieve a minimum final score of 70
  • Obtain final-project approval
  • Complete the course evaluation

No live attendance, cohort, group work, discussion-forum participation, peer review, synchronous presentation, or waiting for another participant is required.

Expert Review Process

Final projects are reviewed asynchronously by an assigned expert. Feedback target: within five working days after a complete submission.

  1. 1Submit Final Project
  2. 2Administrative Completeness Check
  3. 3Assigned Expert Review
  4. 4Written Feedback
  5. 5Revision Required or Approved
  6. 6Participant Revision if Required
  7. 7Resubmission
  8. 8Final Approval
  9. 9Certificate Issued

Certificate

BARUNA Digital Certificate of Completion — Allocated Zones for Aquaculture: Planning Sustainable Aquaculture through Marine Spatial Planning.

Issued only after all completion requirements and final-project approval are met. Includes the participant's full name, course title, learning format, estimated learning hours, completion date, certificate number, QR-code verification, an authorised electronic signature, and a certificate verification link.

Attribution

Learning content developed with reference to the FAO–GFCM AZA approach. Participants are not described as "FAO certified" or "GFCM certified", and FAO/GFCM logos are not shown as certificate issuers unless separate formal authorisation is provided.

Learning Resources

  • Source presentation as reference material
  • Course handbook
  • Glossary of MSP and AZA terms
  • Methodological-process summary
  • Stakeholder-mapping template
  • Institutional-mapping template
  • Spatial-data-inventory template
  • AZA criteria-matrix template
  • Environmental Monitoring Plan template
  • Final-project template
  • Example suitability-classification map
  • Example zoning sketch
  • Case-study package
  • Assessment rubric
  • Technical guide for uploading assignments

The original reference presentation is not the only learning content. Material is delivered as short learning units, narrated slides, concise reading pages, diagrams, infographics, interactive knowledge checks, quizzes, individual exercises, and downloadable templates.

Technical Requirements

  • A modern browser (Chrome, Edge, Firefox, or Safari — latest 2 versions)
  • A stable internet connection (min 2 Mbps)
  • A device capable of viewing PDF, DOCX and simple map images
  • No paid GIS software required — templates and simplified mapping materials are provided
  • A working email address for notifications

Frequently Asked Questions

No. The course is fully online and 100% asynchronous.