Patrol Updates from Raja Ampat’s Marine Park Authority to June 17, 202

From our last updates at the end of May, 2020, the Badan Layanan Umum Daerah Unit Pelaksana Teknis Daerah (BLUD UPTD) Pengelolaan Kawasan Konservasi Perairan (KKP) Kepulauan Raja Ampat, or the Raja Ampat’s Marine Park Authority, have conducted several patrols in all the MPAs.

The Jaga Laut – the official name of the marine park rangers – have been briefed earlier in May to, as much as possible, respect health protocol due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and here are some of the highlights we’ve received up until 17^th of June, 2020, in chronological order:

Dampier Strait MPA

Five rangers from Dampier Strait MPA conducted a patrol on the 04^th of June, 2020. During the patrol that covered nearly 107km of distance, the rangers found 3 fishing boats within a no-take zone around the northern part of Batanta Island.

After interviewing the fishermen and taking resources use monitoring data (RUM), the rangers explained the MPA’s zoning and directed all the three fishing boats from Sorong to get out of the no-take zone; which they fortunately complied without further incidents.

One of the fishing boats interviewed during a patrol conducted by rangers from Dampier Strait MPA on the 04th of June, 2020. (Photo by: BLUD UPTD Pengelolaan KKP Kepulauan Raja Ampat, 2020).

Three fishing boats from Sorong were directed to get out of the no-take zone on the 04th of June, 2020. (Photo by: BLUD UPTD Pengelolaan KKP Kepulauan Raja Ampat, 2020).

Dampier Strait MPA

On the 06^th of June, 2020, the Dampier Strait MPA’s rangers followed up reports received one day earlier from several local sources that stated sharks’ skin scattered around Kri Island. The rangers visited Yenbuba Village to gather more information related to prior reports, and here are some of their findings:

• The team could not find any documentation related to shark finning;
• From the information gathered, it is said that the shark was caught by a local fishermen;
• The shark was dried up and finned;
• One homestay owner in Yenbuba Village have also reported this incident to the Homestay Association, and are still awaiting response from the law enforcement;
• According to the mentioned homestay owner, some locals are still catching sharks ‘quietly’.

While gathering information that day, the rangers reminded members of the community that sharks and manta rays are fully protected in Raja Ampat’s waters, referring to the Raja Ampat Regulation Number 9 of the Year 2012 on Prohibition to Catch Sharks, Manta Rays and Certain Species of Fish in Raja Ampat’s Waters.

What’s left of the shark skin found in Yenbuba Village by the rangers on 06th of June, 2020. (Photo by: BLUD UPTD Pengelolaan KKP Kepulauan Raja Ampat, 2020).

Rangers from Dampier Strait MPA were gathering information related to shark skin scattered around the waters in Kri Island. (Photo by: BLUD UPTD Pengelolaan KKP Kepulauan Raja Ampat, 2020).

Dampier Strait MPA

On the same day, a different ranger team from Dampier Strait MPA departed from the Arefi Monitoring Post, focusing patrol on Yenbekaki Cape and the waters surrounding northern part of Batanta Island; covering a distance of 65km.

During that patrol on the 06^th of June, the rangers encountered one 15-PK engine fishing boat nearby Waramkan Cape. The fishermen, who confessed to have come from Amdui Village, was caught with an air compressor within Sasi and Traditional Utilization Sub-zone.

After taking resources use monitoring (RUM) data and provide brief explanation regarding the zoning within the MPA, the ranger team asked the mentioned fishermen to leave the Sub-zone.

Rangers of Arefi Monitoring Post in Dampier Strait MPA departing for patrol on the 06th of June, 2020. (Photo by: BLUD UPTD Pengelolaan KKP Kepulauan Raja Ampat, 2020).

Rangers encountered local fishermen with air compressor. The fishermen were directed to leave the no-take zone. (Photo by: BLUD UPTD Pengelolaan KKP Kepulauan Raja Ampat, 2020).

Fam Islands MPA

On the 09^th of June, 2020, the Fam Islands MPA rangers patrol the route of Saukabu – Yar – Mangginan – Yar – Andau Besar – Miosba – Nafsi. During the patrol that covered a total of 71km of distance, the rangers found two local fishermen within the Sustainable Fisheries Zone.

One of the local fishermen found by the rangers in Fam Island MPA on the 09th of June, 2020. (Photo by: BLUD UPTD Pengelolaan KKP Kepulauan Raja Ampat, 2020).

Mayalibit Bay MPA

The Mayalibit Bay MPA’s rangers covered a distance of 77km during a patrol on the 11^th of June, 2020. During this patrol, rangers found one local fishermen fishing in Utilization Zone (which is a no-take zone) and quickly directed him to go to Sustainable Fisheries Zone after collecting resources use monitoring (RUM) data from the mentioned fishermen. Later that day, the Mayalibit Bay’s team found one other local fishermen fishing in the correct zone; RUM data was taken.

Rangers from Mayalibit Bay MPA taking resources use monitoring data. (Photo by: BLUD UPTD Pengelolaan KKP Kepulauan Raja Ampat, 2020).

Joint Patrol: From Kofiau Boo-Islands MPA to Fam Islands MPA

Following several reports from both Kofiau-Boo Islands MPA and Fam Islands MPA by the end of May and early June, four police personnel accompanied by representatives of the Raja Ampat’s Marine Park Authority conducted a joint patrol on the 11^th and 12^th of June, 2020

The mentioned reports stated that there was a strong indication of a fishing boat carrying explosives or fish bombs. It was first reported by the Kofiau-Boo Islands MPA’s rangers, and was later reported by the Fam Islands MPA’s rangers from the end of May and early June respectively.

The joint patrol departed from Waisai on the 11^th of June, 2020, for Deer Village in Kofiau Island. After short briefing with rangers of Kofiau-Boo Islands MPA, they patrol the waters of Tolobi, but haven’t been able to find anything to confirmed the reports. They also gathered information from the rangers and members of the community.

On the 12^th of June, 2020, the joint team departed from Deer Village for Fam Islands’ MPA monitoring post at Meoskor Island. Accompanied by the Fam Islands MPA’s rangers, they conducted another patrol and closely observe several longboats. The joint patrol still haven’t been able to found anything related to the reports.

The joint team left Fam Islands MPA for Waisai on the 12^th of June, 2020, and will conduct another patrol to follow up the mentioned reports.

Personnel from Raja Ampat’s Water Police Unit taking a short break after arriving in Deer Village, Kofiau Island. (Photo by: BLUD UPTD Pengelolaan KKP Kepulauan Raja Ampat, 2020).

Personnel from both Raja Ampat’s Water Police Unit and Raja Ampat’s Marine Park Authority leaving Fam Islands on the 12th of June, 2020. (Photo by: BLUD UPTD Pengelolaan KKP Kepulauan Raja Ampat, 2020).

Asia and Ayau Islands MPA

Five rangers from Asia and Ayau Islands MPA joined the patrol on the 12^th of June 2020. From approximately 57km of distance covered during the patrol that day, rangers found one local fishermen within the Sustainable Fisheries Zone, resources uses monitoring (RUM) data was taken, and no other incidents encountered.

Rangers from Ayau and Asia Islands MPA taking pictures of the fishermen encoutered on the 12th of June, 2020. (Photo by: BLUD UPTD Pengelolaan KKP Kepulauan Raja Ampat, 2020).

Mayalibit Bay MPA

Rangers from Mayalibit Bay MPA conducted another patrol on the 12^th of June, 2020, covering a total distance of 76km. During the patrol, the rangers encountered five local fishermen in one boat within the Sustainable Fisheries Zone. Rangers took resources use monitoring (RUM) and didn’t encounter any other findings that day.

Rangers from Mayalibit Bay MPA taking resources use monitoring data during a patrol on the 12th of June, 2020. (Photo by: BLUD UPTD Pengelolaan KKP Kepulauan Raja Ampat, 2020).

Dampier Strait MPA

On the 15^th of June, 2020, the rangers from Gam Monitoring Post in Dampier Strait MPA conducted a patrol focusing the waters surrounding Yeben Island and Putus Cape. They encountered one local fishermen within the Sustainable Fisheries Zone. After taking resources use monitoring (RUM) data, the rangers reminded the fishermen to report any suspicious activities due to the reports regarding fishing boat carrying explosives in Kofiau-Boo Islands MPA and Fam Islands MPA.

Rangers from Dampier Strait MPA interviewing a local fishermen during a patrol on the 15th of June, 2020. (Photo by: BLUD UPTD Pengelolaan KKP Kepulauan Raja Ampat, 2020).

Fam Islands MPA

Six rangers from Fam Islands MPA joined the patrol on the 15^th of June, 2020, with the route of Miosba Island – Inus Island – Yar Island – Mangginan Island – Matop Island – Pamali Besar Island – Bambu Island.

During the 149km – this is indeed a long route – distance covered in the patrol, the Fam Islands’ rangers encountered a boat with three, 15-PKs engine suspected carrying and using fish bombs. The rangers encountered the boat around the border between Utilization Zone and Core Zone.

Whilst trying to take documentation, the rangers followed the suspected boat from a safe distance. Up until the western part of Pamali Besar Island, the suspected boat with a total of 3 personnel changed direction and managed to escape towards the direction of Kofiau-Boo Islands MPA.

The Fam Islands MPA’s rangers tried as fast as possible to follow the suspected boat, but unfortunately needed to head back to the monitoring post due to fuel limitation, and personal safety too. They believed that it was the same boat from they heard from Kofiau-Boo Islands MPA, which led to the joint patrol earlier this month.

The rangers had reported this incident to the Marine Park Authority’s headquarter in Waisai, and the headquarter is already coordinating another joint follow up with the law enforcements.

Romun, the name of the speedboat from Fam Islands MPA, was forced to go back to the monitoring post in the middle of a stakeout due to fuel limitation and personal safety. (Photo by: BLUD UPTD Pengelolaan KKP Kepulauan Raja Ampat, 2020).

Asia and Ayau Islands MPA

Rangers from Asia and Ayau Islands MPA conducted a patrol on the 17^th of June, with focusing on the southern and western part of Ayau Besar Island, and continued to the southern part of Ayau Besar. During the patrol, the rangers encountered three local fishermen, all within the Sustainable Fisheries Zone. Resources use monitoring data (RUM) was taken from all three fishermen.

One of the local fishermen encountered in Asia and Ayau Islands MPA on the 17th of June, 2020. (Photo by: BLUD UPTD Pengelolaan KKP Kepulauan Raja Ampat, 2020).

These were the highlights from the patrol conducted by the Raja Ampat’s Marine Park Authority from the beginning of June up until 17^th of June, 2020. Up until today, we are still waiting for news and documentations from three more MPAs, as they have to delivered the photos and reports directly to Waisai due to the telecommunication difficulties in their origin areas.

Nikka Amandra Gunadharma (Nikka) is the Raja Ampat Communication & Outreach Coordinator for Conservation International Indonesia

Alfred Sen Johannes is the Website and Social Media Staff for Raja Ampat’s Marine Park Authority