Raja Ampat
You have just found the best site for all sorts of information about Raja Ampat, a group of islands located off the northwestern tip of Indonesia’s West Papua Province. This is the universal site managed and maintained in Papua encompassing all partner organizations working to conserve this incredible place.

Scattered over 50,000sq km or 9.8 million acres of ocean, the Raja Ampat Islands lie in the heart of the coral triangle, the most bio-diverse marine region on earth. Raja Ampat means Four Kings in Indonesian and refers to the 4 major islands of Waigeo, Batanta, Salawati and Misool.

About 32,000 people live in 89 villages spread through the districts 600 islands. Originating from Papua and many of the surrounding eastern Indonesian Islands, there is a diversity of culture and religion within and between the different villages.

Why is Raja Ampat so species rich?
Sea conditions around Raja Ampat have remained relatively stable for millions of years, this, combined with a great diversity of habitats, has enabled a huge biodiversity to develop. Located at the crossroads of two major continents (Asia and Australia) with a complex set of islands around the whole of the Birds Head Seascape, conditions have been ideal for speciation to occur. Ie the evolution of new species. Hence the comment – “Raja Ampat is one giant species factory” (M. Erdmann 2007).

Biodiversity Statistics in Raja Ampat
Total number of coral species to 537 so far — 75% of all known coral species.

Total number of fish species 1,074 with at least another 10 including a flasher wrasse and a walking shark soon to be published. (the official way that species are named and described)

Major marine turtle rookeries (breeding beaches) for 5 endangered species including the giant leatherback turtle in Asia Islands, Wayag and Sayang Islands and SE Misool.

Pristine rainforest with an endemic species of the Bird of Paradise and a megapode (a bird that buries its eggs in the ground) and even a home to a tree Kangaroo more..

Why is Raja Ampat so important?
Isolation, low human population, and a system of reef ownership with local management have kept the reefs around Raja Ampat in excellent condition. Huge corals demonstrate that Raja Ampat also has resilient reefs that are resistant to threats like diseases and bleaching. These are issues that now threaten coral reefs around the world. Powerful ocean currents carry larvae from the huge diversity of marine life in Raja Ampat to reefs in other parts of Indonesia and across to reefs in other counties. It is the heart of the “supply chain” of species. This helps to replenish reefs that have been damaged by disease, bleaching, overfishing and other detrimental activities - if and when appropriate conditions are restored.

Conservation in Raja Ampat
Due to its strategic importance as a source of larvae, Raja Ampat has been the focus of attention of a number of international and domestic NGOs who are working with the regional and local governments to support their conservation efforts. These include;

NGO support for Raja Ampat
Currently 3 major organizations are working with the Raja Ampat Government to help prepare and implement management plans for the seven new Marine Protected Areas. These are;

Conservation International – assisting with 4 MPAs - Ayau, Dampier Straight, Wayag/Sayang and Telok Mayalibit
www.conservation.org

The Nature Conservancy – Assisting with Kofiau and SE Misool MPAs
www.coraltrianglecentre.org

COREMAP – assisting with West Waigeo MPA. COREMAP is a nationwide project supported by World Bank Funding.
www.coremap.or.id/welcome/index.php

In addition, the World Wide Fund For Nature (WWF) is active in turtle conservation in Raja Ampat working with a local Papuan NGO called YPP (Yayasan Penyu Papua).