Viral Updates from Raja Ampat’s Marine Park Authority, Part 2 by Nikka Gunadharma
Administrator’s note: I, like all of you, am concerned about what is happening regarding patrolling activities in the MPA’s during the Covid-shutdown. It’s comforting to know that the patrol teams are still working, at least in some areas. This is the second report from the marine park authority of Raja Ampat. We will keep posting…
- An update from the Dayan Sector of Dampier Strait MPA from the 16th to the 19th of May 2020:
- The patrol team focused on the Nelayan Island waters on the 16th of May, and found a boat using two outboard motors (40HP each) that was suspected of using fish bombs (photo below). The patrol team keeps monitoring the suspected boat and dispatched the information to the head office in Waisai.
©BLUD UPTD Pengelolaan KKP Kepulauan Raja Ampat
©BLUD UPTD Pengelolaan KKP Kepulauan Raja Ampat
- The patrol team conducted another patrol on the 18th and 19th of May, 2020, along with two personnel from the local military cantonment. But they didn’t find the suspect boat, nor any other suspicious activity.
- The patrol team focused on the Nelayan Island waters on the 16th of May, and found a boat using two outboard motors (40HP each) that was suspected of using fish bombs (photo below). The patrol team keeps monitoring the suspected boat and dispatched the information to the head office in Waisai.
- The team from Mayalibit Bay MPA conducted a patrol on the 19th of May, 2020. They found local ladies fishing in the Aquaculture and Sustainable Fisheries Sub-zone (photo below). There were no other findings from that day in Mayalibit Bay MPA.
The patrol team from Mayalibit Bay MPA taking notes of Resource Use Monitoring during the patrol on the 19th of May 2020. ©BLUD UPTD Pengelolaan KKP Kepulauan Raja Ampat
The ladies from nearby village in Mayalibit Bay MPA. ©BLUD UPTD Pengelolaan KKP Kepulauan Raja Ampat
- From Kofiau-Boo Islands MPA, a patrol session conducted on the 19th of May 2020, found three local fishermen’s boats on the Aquaculture and Sustainable Fisheries Sub-zone. They, the fishermen, informed the patrol team that they have not seen any irregular activities nor fishermen from outside Raja Ampat during the three days they fished around the area.
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The patrol team from Kofiau-Boo Islands MPA preparing to depart. ©BLUD UPTD Pengelolaan KKP Kepulauan Raja Ampat
One of the fishermen boat encountered by the patrol team in Kofiau-Boo Islands MPA on the 19th of May, 2020. ©BLUD UPTD Pengelolaan KKP Kepulauan Raja Ampat
- On the 20th of May, the team from Dampier Strait MPA conducted a patrol with the route of Waisai-Mansuar Island-Gam Island-Tanjung Putus. In the waters nearby Gam Island, the patrol team encountered seven yachts that have been “quarantined there since 13th of April 2020 due to the pandemic.
The patrol team from Dampier Strait MPA in the “Mantaray” speedboat. ©BLUD UPTD Pengelolaan KKP Kepulauan Raja Ampat
Some of the yachts encountered around Gam Island on the 20th of May 2020. ©BLUD UPTD Pengelolaan KKP Kepulauan Raja Ampat
- The Dampier Strait MPA conducted another patrol on the 23rd of May, 2020, focusing on several tourism spots and then to Tanjung Putus and Gam Island. They found two local fishermen from Yenwaupnor Village, and one other from Kapisawar Village. As they reached the area nearby Gam Island, they encountered a total of nine yachts (two additional yachts from the patrol on the 20th of May, 2020).
Dampier Strait MPA Patrol Team taking notes for their Resource Use Monitoring data. ©BLUD UPTD Pengelolaan KKP Kepulauan Raja Ampat
One of the yachts encountered nearby Gam Island on the 23rd of May 2020. ©BLUD UPTD Pengelolaan KKP Kepulauan Raja Ampat
