We’re back for some more updates from Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in Raja Ampat. Management work in the field conducted by the Raja Ampat’s Marine Park Authority***, though still restricted due to Covid-19 pandemic, were mostly evolved around outreach efforts by the Jaga Laut – the official name for the marine park rangers – personnel.

 The efforts were manifested from regular patrol, socialization of the MPA’s rules and regulations, to discussion with the members of community. It needs to be emphasized here that these rangers are not law enforcers; this is one reason why the rangers conduct joint patrol with various law enforcers from time to time.

 This period’s update will highlight the Jaga Laut’s findings during regular patrol, and different outreach efforts conducted from early to mid-July, 2020. Here are some those  highlights in a chronological order:

Misool Islands MPA

After weeks of communication and outreach efforts, ranger personnel from Misool Island MPA finally succeeded in convincing one resident from Lilinta Village to release the turtles, which he admitted to have taken care of since they were hatchlings. This release was conducted during a patrol on the 2^nd of July.

One of the ranger personnel from Misool Island MPA took photos with the turtles prior to release. (Photo by: BLUD UPTD Pengelolaan KKP Kepulauan Raja Ampat/2020).

Jaga Laut from Misool Island MPA conducted another patrol on the 03^rd of July. During this patrol, they found one larger fishing boat –bagan – but did not find any personnel on board. They also found local fishermen in three more smaller boats fishing within the Sustainable Fisheries Zone – resources use monitoring (RUM) data were taken.

One of the local boats the rangers encountered during the patrol on the 03rd of July, 2020. (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 7^th of July, 2020. Before bad weather forced the rangers to wrap up the day’s patrol, they encountered two local fishermen within the Sustainable Fisheries Zone; RUM data were taken.

One out of two local fishermen interviewed during the patrol on the 7th of July, 2020. Rangers had to return to port early due to bad weather that day. (Photo by: BLUD UPTD Pengelolaan KKP Kepulauan Raja Ampat/2020).

West Waigeo Islands Marine Reserve

A distance of 106 kilometers were covered during a patrol conducted by rangers from the Wayag Surveillance Post on the 10^th of July, 2020. The rangers encountered two local fishermen just outside the MPA’s border; only RUM data were taken.

One of the local fishermen encountered by the rangers from Wayag Surveillance Post on the 10th of July, 2020. (Photo by: BLUD UPTD Pengelolaan KKP Kepulauan Raja Ampat/2020).

Mayalibit Bay MPA

A rather busy day for Jaga Laut from Mayalibit Bay MPA on the 10^th of July, 2020. During the patrol that day, they encountered local fishermen in four boats within the Sustainable Fisheries Zone; RUM data were taken from all of them.

Three more boats were encountered within the Food Security and Tourism Sub-zone, so the rangers had to provide a brief reminder regarding the MPA’s zoning and it’s rules, for the three local fishermen prior taking RUM data and directing them to go outside the mentioned sub-zone.

Rangers providing a very brief version of “MPA 101” for the local fishermen in Mayalibit Bay MPA on the 10th of July, 2020. (Photo by: BLUD UPTD Pengelolaan KKP Kepulauan Raja Ampat/2020).

Asia and Ayau Islands MPA

A route from Sau Ingkeres Island – Karui Beba Island – Sau Abai Island – Araref Island was patrolled by the rangers from Asia and Ayau Islands MPA on the 10^th of July, 2020.

One local fishermen was encountered in Sasi and Traditional Utility Sub-zone, while the other was found within the Shipping Line Sub-zone; both were interviewed for RUM data.

Local fishermen fished the Shipping Line Sub-zone was approached by the rangers for an interview. (Photo by: BLUD UPTD Pengelolaan KKP Kepulauan Raja Ampat/2020).

Dampier Strait MPA

Rangers from Gam Surveillance Post in Dampier Strait MPA conducted a patrol on the 14^th of July, 2020, covering a total distance of 107Km. The Jaga Laut encountered two local fishermen within Sustainable Fisheries Zone; no violations were found, and RUM data were taken from both of them.

The Gam Surveillance Post in Dampier Strait MPA was one of the surveillance posts in Raja Ampat that, for a trial period, was chosen to use a new “patrolling application” specifically designed for the Raja Ampat’s Marine Park Authority.  This application was developed by two non-profit organizations working in Raja Ampat and is in the final stage of development and will be officially utilized by the Jaga Laut in the near future.

Screen capture of one section in the patrol application being develop by the SEA People and Conservation International (CI) Indonesia for the Raja Ampat’s Marine Park Authority. (Photo by: BLUD UPTD Pengelolaan KKP Kepulauan Raja Ampat/2020).

Mayalibit Bay MPA

On the 14^th of July, 2020, rangers from Warsambin Surveillance Post covered nearly 80Km of distance in Mayalibit Bay MPA. During the patrol that day, Jaga Laut encountered six local fishing boats within the Sustainable Fisheries Zone; no actions were taken except interviews for collecting RUM data.

One of the rangers from Mayalibit Bay MPA interviewing a local fishermen during a patrol on the 14th of July, 2020. (Photo by: BLUD UPTD Pengelolaan KKP Kepulauan Raja Ampat/2020).

Dampier Strait MPA

Rangers from Dampier Strait MPA conducted another patrol on the 16^th of July, 2020. During the 104Km of distance covered, they encountered four local fishing boats within the Sasi and Traditional Utilization Sub-zone; all fishermen were interviewed, RUM data were collected.

One of the local fishermen encountered by the rangers from Gam Surveillance Post in Dampier Strait MPA on the 16th of July, 2020. (Photo by: BLUD UPTD Pengelolaan KKP Kepulauan Raja Ampat/2020).

Until the 16^th of July, 2020, Raja Ampat’s Marine Park Authority have conducted a total of 19 patrols in seven MPAs. We will be back to update you with highlights from mid to end of July, 2020 early next month.

We sincerely hope that you will find these updates helpful. Thank you for your support; stay strong and stay healthy, everyone!

*          Nikka Gunadharma is Raja Ampat Communication and Outreach Coordinator for Conservation International Indonesia

**          Allan Fredrik Ramandey is the Data and Information Staff for Raja Ampat’s Marine Park Authority

***        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.