Abstract
Abstract
Nyale worms (Polychaeta) are marine annelids with important ecological roles and strong cultural significance for coastal communities along the southern coast of Lombok Island, Indonesia. They are particularly known through the Bau Nyale tradition, an annual festival of harvesting these annelids by Sasak people, which represents intangible cultural heritage and a long-standing relationship of people-environment maintained across generations, potentially dating back to ancient Austronesian migrations. Biologically, nyale worms exhibit a synchronised reproductive cycle regulated by lunar phases and specific oceanographic conditions, making them sensitive indicators of environmental change. From a bioprospecting perspective, studies have reported bioactive compounds from nyale worms with potential applications in nutrition, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics, including antioxidant and antimicrobial properties and high protein content. However, increasing exploitation, tourism pressure, coastal habitat degradation, and limited science-based management threaten the sustainability of nyale worm populations. In addition, modernisation of the festival may gradually erode the ecological and philosophical values embedded in traditional practices. This review emphasises the need for an interdisciplinary conservation approach that integrates local knowledge, biological research, and adaptive coastal management to ensure the long-term sustainability of nyale worms while preserving their cultural and economic value for local communities.