Tourism Threatens to Destroy Coral Reefs in 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.

But untreated wastewater is driving up nitrogen levels, not only fueling cyanobacteria blooms but also triggering explosive algal growth, increasing Crown-of-Thorns populations, spreading coral disease, and accelerating mass bleaching. Scientists warn that if no action is taken, Raja Ampat’s reefs could disappear within three to five years. Little has been done by the major tourism stakeholders or the Indonesian government, and the need for wastewater regulations in this Marine Protected Area is urgent. And the answer is simple – the installation of bio tanks with filtration flower gardens that can remove excess nutrients before they reach the ocean.

With continued research, local involvement, and sustainable conservation efforts, scientists and conservationists remain optimistic that Raja Ampat’s reefs can recover from this growing threat.

Iris Uijttewaal has written an article on the rising cyanobacteria issue in Raja Ampat.