Bird's Head Seascape environment Archives

Administrator’s note: This scientific study tracts the extreme diving (>= 500m) of oceanic manta rays in order to understand the reasons for this behavior. The study recently appeared...

Raja Ampat Designated a UNESCO Bioshpere Reserve…finally!

13 Oct 2025

Many of you probably thought Raja Ampat was already a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve…now it’s official, finally. Most have heard the term UNESCO but many may not know the specifics of the...

Q & A with Dr. Mark Erdmann

11 Sep 2025

Administrators note: Many of you know Dr. Mark Erdmann and his work creating the Bird’s Head Seascape and it’s network of Marine Protected Areas. Mark recently left his position as...

A Thirteen Year Journey into the Lives of Indonesia’s Whale Sharks

30 Aug 2025

Administrator’s note: This original research study documents the population demographics and residency of the globally endangered whale shark (Rhincodon typus) within four key regions of...

Bird's Head Seascape, Conservation, Coral Triangle, discovery, diversity, diving, ecology, education, environment, Indonesia, Marine Protected Area, MPA, protected areas, raja ampat, Science, sustainability, tourism, West Papua

40 Facts and Stats about Ocean Sustainability by Original Travel

29 Jul 2025

Administrator’s note: Since ALL oceans are connected, this comprehensive well-researched article, despite being somewhat “Euro-centric”, covers many issues we are directly...

“Sharks Didn’t Rebound – so Mark Erdmann is putting them back” by Rhett Butler (Mongabay)

24 Jul 2025

Administrator’s note: This article originally appeared in the Mongabay Newsletter. This comprehensive article covers the life and work or Dr. Mark Erdmann, formerly Vice President of...

Conservation in Raja Ampat, Part 2: Dr. Gerry Allen’s Role in Quantifying a “Species Factory” by *Don Silcock (X-Ray Magazine)

18 Jul 2025

Administrator’s Note: This is the second article in a series by Don Silcock (Indo-Pacific Images) exploring how a successful conservation strategy was developed and implemented in Raja...

Tensions and Grievances in Raja Ampat: a 3 part investigatory report by Deni Ghifari (JP*)

16 Jul 2025

Administrators note: This comprehensive post contains a re-cap of the introduction and 3 part investigatory report on Nickel Mining in Raja Ampat published recently in the Jakarta Post*. The...

Dr. Mark Erdmann becomes the Executive Director of ReShark and Shark Conservation Director at Re:wild

04 Jul 2025

Administrator’s Note: This post is shared with permission from ReShark. Click here to see the original post. Dr. Mark Erdmann is the Executive Director of ReShark, where he leads a global,...

Race to Mine Metals for EV Batteries Threatens Marine Paradise by *Victoria Gill (BBC)

19 Jun 2025

Administrator’s note: On June 10, 2025, Indonesia President, Prabowo Subianto, revoked 3 of 4 nickel mining permits in Raja Ampat. But the mining issue has not ended. Many locals feel...