Hello everyone, we hope that this update finds you all safe and well.
It’s been a while since our last update in early August regarding the activity of the Raja Ampat’s Marine Park Authority*** for the month of July, even though ranger patrol were still conducted on a regular basis in all seven Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) across Raja Ampat.
Regarding the update for August, we are presenting a rather compact article comparing to the previous updates. And since we already have complete information from all our monitoring posts throughout the MPAs, we’re be able to present you with a complete, monthly data in this article.
Here are the updates from seven MPAs under the Raja Ampat’s Marine Park Authority for August, 2020.
1. Asia and Ayau Islands MPA
Rangers from Asia and Ayau Islands MPA, or also known as “Area I”, conducted a total of eight patrols for August. Besides observing for any MPA’s violations, the rangers were also assigned to collect Resources Use Monitoring (RUM) data for any forms of utilization within the MPA.
In between those eight patrols, the rangers were be able to encountered two zoning violations within the MPA; all were conducted local fishermen residing within the Asia and Ayau Islands MPA. Rangers informed the violators with information regarding MPA and its zoning system and regulation, before directing them to sail away from the prohibited zone.
One of the two violations encountered by the Asia and Ayau Islands MPA ranger patrol on the 28th of August, 2020. The fishermen was caught fishing within the Food Security and Tourism Sub-zone. (Photo by: BLUD UPTD Pengelolaan KKP Kepulauan Raja Ampat/2020).
2. Mayalibit Bay MPA
Area II – Mayalibit Bay MPA did six days of patrol and encountered a total of five violations in August; all of them were fishing within the Food Security and Tourism Sub-zone – a no take zone. 2 fishing violations were encountered during the patrol on the 13th of August, while 3 fishing violations were found in 26th of August.
RUM data were taken to all patrol findings; regardless whether it is a violation or not. While for the violations, rangers provided them with information regarding the Mayalibit Bay’s MPA and its rules and zoning system prior to directing them to sail away from the no take zone to the allowed zone for fishing activity.
As an additional information, Mayalibit Bay MPA conducted one joint patrol with representatives from the Indonesian Army based in Raja Ampat on the 24th of August, 2020. However, the joint patrol did not find any findings during that day.
One of the three fishermen encountered by rangers from Mayalibit Bay MPA within the Food Security and Tourism Sub-zone on the 26th of August, 2020. After providing information about the MPA, rangers were be able to persuaded them to sail away from the Sub-zone. (Photo by: BLUD UPTD Pengelolaan KKP Kepulauan Raja Ampat/2020).
3. Dampier Strait MPA
Area III Dampier Strait MPA was patrolled nine times on August, with three patrols conducted by the Gam Monitoring Post and six by the Yenadwak Monitoring Post. During this month, Yenadwak Monitoring Post encountered two violations.
One of the two violations was a local fishermen found within the Food Security and Tourism Sub-zone on the 08th of August, while a fishermen from Sorong was encountered within the same Sub-zone on the 14th of August. Both fishermen were given information regarding MPA and its regulation and zoning system, before eventually directed to sail away from the mentioned Sub-zone.
As additional information, the patrol conducted on the 08th of August was conducted with three personnel from the Raja Ampat Water Police. This joint patrol focused on a route from Waisai–Batanta Island–Makoi Cape–Yenanas Village–Yat Island–Waiman Cape–Wailebet Cape–Kalyam Cape–Solol Cape–Senapan Island–Matan Island–Sorong, and covered a total of 242.76 km.
Personnel of the Raja Ampat’s Water Police helped rangers from Dampier Strait MPA and conducted a regular search in one of the findings during a joint patrol on the 08th of August, 2020. (Photo by: BLUD UPTD Pengelolaan KKP Kepulauan Raja Ampat/2020).
4. Misool Islands MPA
A total of six patrols were conducted in Area IV, Misool Islands MPA. Fortunately, no violations were encountered in August by rangers from Raja Ampat Marine Park Authority’s Misool Islands.
One of the highlights in August was during a patrol on the 05th of August, when rangers from Misool Islands MPA were called upon by a fishermen to help him release a green turtle (Chelonia mydas) accidentally caught in his net. The rangers were successful and the turtle was quickly release.
Misool Islands’ rangers were helping a fishermen to release a turtle accidentally caught by his net on the 05th of August, 2020. (Photo by: BLUD UPTD Pengelolaan KKP Kepulauan Raja Ampat/2020).
5. Kofiau–Boo Islands MPA
Area V Kofiau–Boo Islands MPA conducted a total of 10 patrols, and fortunately no violations were encountered during the month of August. All of their findings were local fishermen conducted activities within the allowed zone for fishing – Resources Use Monitoring (RUM) data were taken from all those findings.
One of the findings in August by rangers from Kofiau–Boo Islands MPA. Most local fishermen interviewed by the rangers informed that they fish for personal consumption. (Photo by: BLUD UPTD Pengelolaan KKP Kepulauan Raja Ampat/2020).
6. Fam Islands MPA
Fam Islands MPA conducted a total of four patrols throughout August, and fortunately no violations were found this month. The main reason why Fam Islands MPA only conducted four patrol in August was that because Romun – the MPA’s speedboat – was having engine failure and needed to go to Sorong and be repaired.
One of the patrols conducted in Fam Islands – No violatios were encountered during the four patrols conducted in August, 2020. (Photo by: BLUD UPTD Pengelolaan KKP Kepulauan Raja Ampat/2020).
7. West Waigeo Islands Marine Reserve
A total of five violations were encountered by the Jaga Laut – official name given to the Raja Ampat’s Marine Park rangers – from the West Waigeo Islands Marine Reserves during the six days of patrols conducted in August, 2020.
Interestingly, all the violations were encountered in the same day, 26th of August, 2020. The rangers found them while they were sailing towards the Core Zone. Soon after the rangers stopped them, all the fishermen informed the rangers that they came from Sorong.
After a stern warning, the rangers then provided them with information related to MPA and its regulation and zoning system, before finally escorting them out of the MPA.
Rangers from West Waigeo Islands Marine Reserves were be able to prevent five vessels from Sorong to enter the Core Zone on the 26th of August 2020. All five vessels were then escorted out of the protected area. (Photo by: BLUD UPTD Pengelolaan KKP Kepulauan Raja Ampat/2020).
Those are the update we can provide you regarding the patrol activities conducted by Raja Ampat’s Marine Park Authority for August. We will provide you with another monthly update of September as soon as possible.
We sincerely hope that this update would be useful for all of you. Thank you very much for your time, attention, and kind support. Stay healthy, and stay happy everyone!
*Allan Fredrik Ramandey-Data and Information Staff for Raja Ampat’s Marine Park Authority
**Nikka Gunadharma-Raja Ampat Communication and Outreach Coordinator for Conservation International Indonesia
*** The official name for Raja Ampat’s Marine Park Authority is Badan Layanan Umum Daerah Unit Pelaksana Teknis Daerah (BLUD UPTD) Pengelolaan Kawasan Konservasi Perairan (KKP) Kepulauan Raja Ampat.
