Learning About Conservation… from This Paradise on Earth

A network of marine protected areas in Indonesia harbors the richest marine biodiversity on Earth, and local communities are part of the successful conservation team.

“Since the [Bird’s Head Seascape] Initiative’s inception, fish populations have rebounded, poaching by outside fishers is down by around 90%, coral is recovering, and long-term food and livelihood security for local communities improved,” says Meizani Irmadhiany, senior vice president and executive chair of Konservasi Indonesia.

Located in the province of West Papua, Raja Ampat covers 2 million hectares and includes some 1,500 islands. In this relatively remote location, there are more than 1,600 species of fish and 75% of the world’s known coral species. As part of West Papua’s Bird’s Head Seascape initiative, Raja Ampat aims to preserve marine resources and ensure food security and sustainable economic benefits for the local community. The key to the initiative’s success is the active engagement of locals as members of the conservation efforts. Indeed, they preserve local indigenous knowledge, values, and traditional practices. Raja Ampat’s Network of 10 protected areas has received the Blue Parks Award which recognizes marine parks for meeting the highest science-based standards for conservation effectiveness.