The Papuan Bird’s Head Seascape (BHS), in eastern Indonesia, contains a network of 12 ecologically connected Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), covering a total area of over 3.6 million ha. Remarkably, the majority of these MPAs were declared and are being co-managed through partnerships between local communities and local and national government
agencies. This local management is a hallmark of the BHS initiative and is only possible with empowered communities, engaged policymakers, and well-trained Papuan MPA managers.