Edy Setyawan, PhD in manta rays, grew up in a small mountain village in Java. Today, he stands among the world’s leading researchers on manta rays and sharks. He has published a remarkable body of scientific work, co-founded an Indonesian-led NGO dedicated to elasmobranch conservation, and was the first to conclusively identify a manta ray nursery habitat in Wayag, Raja Ampat – along with multiple other potential nursery locations throughout Raja Ampat.
In the heart of Raja Ampat is the small island village of Arborek, home to the NGO Barefoot Conservation. The team at Barefoot Conservation has been monitoring the reefs around the island, collecting samples and tracking the spread of cyanobacteria. Their research is critical to understanding how to protect these reefs and the communities that depend on them for food, income, and tourism.
In Raja Ampat, Indonesia, marine life has made a remarkable recovery, thanks to the establishment of large marine protected areas. However, not all species have bounced back. It’s estimated that only 20 adult Indo-Pacific leopard sharks remain, severely impacted by overfishing. Can this species be saved? And why is that important?
They have just arrived in what they believe and hope is paradise. Raja Ampat is located in the centre of what is known as the ‘coral triangle’, which stretches from the Philippines down to Malaysia, Indonesia and over to East Timor.
The island paradise of Raja Ampat is one of the last outposts of the Indonesian archipelago. A remote group of islands with lush white beaches surrounded by turquoise waters, a unique place characterised by its biodiversity. But even here, nature is not left alone by the human footprint. The increasing amount of rubbish in the water is becoming a growing problem with multiple bottoms.
The US is cancelling $35 million in debt to Indonesia in exchange for restoring and preserving coral reefs in an area that scientists say is the most biodiverse marine area in the world.
Daniel: The tragic tale of an Indonesian deckhand and his brutal voyage on a Chinese squid ship.
Biomass and biodiversity. Two rather dull and stiff words. But words often associated with Raja Ampat. Raja Ampat is situated west of Papua Guinea, right in the heart of what's known as the "Coral Triangle."
