Academic literature on the topic 'Raja Ampat archipelago'

Abstract Numerous and multi-level organizations from sub-national to international working in Raja Ampat Regency as the globally important marine areas and world’s class tourism, yet the gap of knowledge and capacities with communities keeps distancing. Raja Ampat Geopark exists as a management agency that coordinates various programs implemented by multi-institutions with various interests within the Regency. Approaching the effective management, Raja Ampat Geopark performs through three stages: 1) mapping relevant stakeholders; 2) designing a participatory collaboration strategy; and 3) encouraging the collaborative works following the strategy where the roles of each stakeholder are clear. Master plan of Raja Ampat Geopark were developed and agreed by 41 related partners of were clustered into 8 interest groups, who are implementing 31 programs consists of 84 activities. This collaborative participatory marine management resulting an increase of documentation and published biodiversity data, of which empowered by the improved capacities of local government and communities in Raja Ampat.

Raja Ampat (Indonesia) is a remote archipelago west of Papua mainland and situated at the eastern edge of the Coral Triangle. The archipelago is considered one of the species-richest and most pristine localities and home to the world’s most diverse coral reefs. For centuries, reefs of Raja Ampat have enjoyed natural protection and remained largely untouched due to their isolated location. The region represents a key area for evaluating richness and biogeographic patterns of tropical shallow-water organisms, yet the foraminiferal fauna of Raja Ampat is virtually unexplored. Benthic foraminifera are an integral part of the reef fauna, prolific carbonate producers and essential for reefal accretion and substrate stability. Previous studies on Indo-Pacific benthic reef foraminifera indicate that diversity is highest in the Central Indo-Pacific and broadly correlates with diversity patterns of other tropical marine taxa. This report presents the first illustrated catalog and comprehensive analysis of the structure, composition, and diversity of the species-rich benthic foraminiferal biotas of the Raja Ampat Archipelago including an assessment of local reef vitality with the Foraminifera in Reef Assessment and Monitoring (FoRAM) Index. We examined shallow-water sediment samples from fringing reefs, reef platforms, sheltered bays and reef-associated environments to cover the full range of existing micro- and macrohabitats. Atotal number of 421 species were recovered, among them five new species and one newly described genus of the porcelaneous Miliolida. The fauna is dominated by hyaline taxa but the Miliolida represent the species-richest order and are especially diverse in fine-grained sediments of deep fore-reef slopes. Extraordinary high diversity of the benthic foraminiferal communities indicates that the waters of Raja Ampat probably represent one of the world’s biologically richest locations in reefs.We identified a total of 35 species of larger symbiont-bearing benthic foraminifera, a number that is among the highest reported so far for reefs in modern oceans. The analysis of the FoRAM Index revealed that water quality at all sites examined is suitable for reef growth and recovery. The results of our study show that the Raja Ampat Archipelago harbors unique and particularly diverse assemblages of modern benthic foraminifera and provides a protistan perspective for the hotspot of diversity in the Central Indo-Pacific.

Abstract. Anzani L, Madduppa HH, Nurjaya IW, Dias PJ. 2019. Short Communication: Molecular identification of White Sea Squirt Didemnum sp. (Tunicata, Ascidiacea) colonies growing over corals in Raja Ampat Islands, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 20: 636-642. Indonesia is at the center of the Coral Triangle, the region with the world’s highest marine biodiversity. The Raja Ampat archipelago in east Indonesia has one of the oldest networks of marine protected areas in the country and is a top priority area for marine conservation. The area is however under anthropogenic pressure from growing tourism, developments and exploration of natural resources. The most likely associated introduction of non-native species is however largely unexplored. Colonial ascidians or ‘sea squirts’ comprise a high number of species, many of them reported as introduced or invasive worldwide. In this study, we investigate the presence of white colonial ascidian colonies noticed to overgrow sections of the coral reefs in central Raja Ampat. We use DNA barcoding to address the colonies’ species identification and explore haplotype diversity to determine the species native or introduced status. We produced 22 DNA barcodes belonging to four potential cryptic Didemnum sp. species present in the Raja Ampat archipelago, Indonesia. Overall, the high number of haplotypes found in the area suggest these to most likely to be native species. The present work represents, as far as the authors are aware, the first time that such species were investigated in Raja Ampat. We hope with this work to create awareness for the topic of introduced and invasive species in the area and motivate further studies in Indonesia.

Understanding the influence and impact of environmental factors on manta ray sightings is critical to understanding the spatial and temporal ecology of a highly mobile species. Therefore, this study aims to determine the influence and impact of environmental factors as indicated by the parameters of wind speed, chlorophyll-a, SST, salinity, pH, dissolved oxygen, and the number of phytoplankton and zooplankton species. The mapped chlorophyll-a was re-analyzed based on the seasonal period throughout 2021 downloaded from marine copernicus and analyzed by kriging method. The influence and effects of environmental parameters on the short-term appearance of eye rays were studied using an adaptive model (GAM). The analysis showed a significant influence of environmental factors on manta ray sightings in Raja Ampat, namely Calanoid spp, Oithona nana, Acartia clausi, Calanus helgoladicus, and Oithona brevicornis. Based on this model, zooplankton is an important parameter that can describe the influence of environmental parameters on manta ray sightings at observation points in Raja Ampat MPA. The results of the reanalysis of chlorophyll-a concentrations were highest in the eastern to transitional seasons, which were scattered on the west side of Raja Ampat waters. Meanwhile, chlorophyll-a concentrations were low in the west to transitional season on the east side. This mechanism may drive the foraging strategy of manta rays, which visit shallow waters where zooplankton density and biomass are abundant. Adopting the BHS MPA network concept, as it has been implemented, would be in line with broader conservation expectations for the sustainability of manta rays in Raja Ampat.

The purpose of this study was to analyze the internal and external environment as well as the right strategy for Raja Ampat Regency in the process of developing fisheries in Capture Fish cultivation. The research method used is the questionnaire method and in-depth interviews using FGD to obtain the SWOT variable (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunisities , Threats). The results showed that the strength of the Raja Ampat archipelago consisted of strategic geographical position, high potential of aquaculture, available cultivation land, and available labor. While the weaknesses consist of limited seed log size, fish mortality caused by disease, low water quality management, limited trash feed, limited capital, low skills, knowledge of cultivation technology, and limited access to markets. Opportunities for grouper farmers in Raja Ampat district consist of high fish prices, wide open market demand, increased income of coastal communities, absorption of labor, regional autonomy, RTRW / RTWRPL / Kab. Zoning Plans. Raja Ampat, National Policy in fisheries development. While threats consist of climate change / season, lack of market guarantee, determination of quality standards for aquaculture products, low capital support, safety, environmental pollution, and lack of enforcement of RTRW regulations for fisheries cultivation development. In this case, the right strategy in this case is maximizing strength in taking advantage of opportunities, taking advantage of opportunities to suppress weaknesses, maximizing strength to avoid threats, and suppressing weaknesses and avoiding threats.

The clash of religions, customs, local beliefs gives a distinctive color in the lives of the people of the Raja Ampat Islands. How the myth of Cuwig's mythical influence on religious life in the village of Lilinta in the Raja Ampat-Papua archipelago and in interpreting and reformulate their religious life in response to the myth of Cuwig. Religious knowledge has an important meaning to improve the faith of the community, thus creating religious emotion, encouraging people to do religious actions, although there is still a society believing the mystical, lack of of religious development. The mythical ghost of Cuwig is influenced by the environment. Myths evolved from the simultaneous stories beginning with the emergence of sudden death from the citizens, the problem spread the issue of the science of Cuwig in the intended person.

We introduce a new dataset of woody plants on 60 small tropical islands located in the Raja Ampat archipelago in Indonesia. The dataset includes incidence, abundance and functional trait data for 57 species. All islands were sampled using a standardised transect and plot design providing detailed information on plant occurrences at different spatial scales ranging from the local (plot and transect scale) to the island scale. In addition, the dataset includes information on key plant functional traits linked to species dispersal, resource acquisition and competitive strategies. The dataset can be used to address ecological questions connected to the species-area relationship and community assembly processes on small islands and in isolated habitats.The dataset yields detailed information on plant community structure and links incidence, abundance and functional trait data at different spatial scales. Furthermore, this is the first plant-island dataset for the Raja Ampat archipelago, a remote and poorly studied region, and provides important new information on species occurrences.

Abstract. Raja Ampat is an archipelago which is estimated to be around 80% of the waters with fishery potential and its marine wealth makes Raja Ampat vulnerable to illegal fishing. Raja Ampat is an area with a high wealth of marine biological resources, it is estimated that there are 537 hard coral species, of which 9 are new species and 13 endemic species. This amount represents 75% of the world's corals (CI, TNCWWF). Throughout the Raja Ampat region, 1,104 species of fish were recorded, consisting of 91 families. And it is estimated that there are 1,346 species of fish throughout the Raja Ampat area, making this area the area with the highest species richness of reef fish in the world. In addition, in this area also found 699 types of soft animals (types of molluscs) consisting of 530 snails (gastropods), 159 shellfish (bivalves), 2 scaphoda, 5 squid (cephalopods), and 3 chitons. The purpose of this study is to find out what are the factors that cause illegal fishing practices that occur in the Raja Ampat waters and what efforts are made by the Raja Ampat Police Water Police Unit in tackling illegal fishing practices in Raja Ampat Regency. The method used is an empirical research method, which is a legal research method that functions to be able to see the law in a real sense and examine how the law works in a community environment. The data collection method used was by conducting interviews with one of the authorized legal officers, namely the Head of the Raja Ampat Water Police. Based on the results of interviews, it can be seen that the factors that cause illegal fishing in Raja Ampat are as follows: There is a deliberate factor of fishing fishermen to violate the provisions that have been set for various reasons. Then using chemicals both with potassium and explosive devices such as fish bombs is a factor to make it easier for fishermen to catch fish. The existence of a large conservation area so that the place for fishermen to catch fish becomes narrow which then causes unscrupulous fishermen to make arrests in prohibited zones, the assumption that law enforcement officers in the waters are few in number, the facilities and markets of the Raja Ampat Polar Unit are inadequate with a large area , lack of personnel is one of the causes of non-optimal supervision, the existence of unique marine biota factors that cannot be found elsewhere, and lack of coordination between law enforcement officers, namely the Navy, Marine and Fisheries Service, and the Water Police. To overcome this, the Raja Ampat Police Water Police Unit made preventive efforts such as providing education to coastal communities about what legal consequences would be received by violators. Not only that, the Raja Ampat Water Police Unit has also taken strict action against people who are proven to be doing illegal fishing. Based on the research conducted, the Raja Ampat Police Water Police Unit showed an increase in work, this can be seen that in 2020 there will be no illegal fishing in the Raja Ampat jurisdiction, but this is inseparable from shortcomings. For example, the Water Police Unit of the Raja Ampat Police can only patrol from waisai-piyanemo and find it difficult to patrol inland islands.
 Abstrak. Raja Ampat merupakan kepulauan yang diperkirakan sekitar 80% perairan dengan potensi perikanan dan kekayaan laut yang dimilikinya menjadikan Raja Ampat rentan terhadap tindak pidana illegal fishing. Raja Ampat merupakan wilayah dengan kekayaan sumber daya hayati laut yang tinggi, diperkirakan terdapat 537 jenis karang keras, dimana 9 diantaranya merupakan jenis baru dan 13 jenis endemik. Jumlah ini merupakan 75% karang dunia (CI, TNCWWF). Diseluruh wilayah Raja Ampat tercatat 1.104 jenis ikan, dimana terdiri dari 91 famili. Dan diperkirakan terdapat 1.346 jenis ikan di seluruh kawasan Raja Ampat, sehingga menjadikan kawasan ini sebagai kawasan dengan kekayaan jenis ikan karang tertinggi di dunia. Selain itu, di kawasan ini juga ditemukan 699 jenis hewan lunak (jenis molusca) yang terdiri atas 530 siputsiputan (gastropoda), 159 kekerangan (bivalva), 2 scaphoda, 5 cumi-cumian (cephalopoda), dan 3 chiton. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui apa faktor-faktor penyebab terjadinya praktik illegal fishing yang terjadi diwilayah perairan Raja Ampat dan upaya-upaya apa yang dilakukan Satuan Polisi Perairan Polres Raja Ampat dalam menanggulangi praktik illegal fishing di Kabupaten Raja Ampat. Metode yang digunakan adalah metode penelitian empiris yaitu suatu metode penelitian hukum yang berfungsi untuk dapat melihat hukum dalam artian nyata serta meneliti bagaimana bekerjanya hukum di suatu lingkungan masyarakat. Metode pengumpulan data yang dilakukan adalah dengan melakukan wawancara kepada salah satu aparat hukum yang berwenang yaitu Kasat Polisi Perairan Raja Ampat. Berdasarkan hasil wawancara dapat dapat diketahui bahwa faktor-faktor yang menyebabkan terjadinya illegal fishing di Raja Ampat adalah sebagai berikut: Adanya faktor kesengajaan dari para nelayan penangkap ikan untuk melanggar ketentuan-ketentuan yang sudah ditetapkan dengan berbagai alasan. Kemudian menggunakan bahan kimia baik dengan potasium maupun alat peledak seperti bom ikan menjadi faktor untuk memudahkan nelayan dalam menangkapan ikan. Adanya area konservasi yang luas sehingga tempat untuk nelayan menangkap ikan menjadi sempit kemudian menyebabkan oknum nelayan melakukan penangkapan pada zona-zona yang dilarang, anggapan bahwa aparat penegak hukum diperairan sedikit jumlahnya, sarana dan pasarana Satuan Polair Raja Ampat yang tidak memadai dengan luas wilayah yang besar, kekurangan personil menjadi salah satu penyebab tidak optimalnya pengawasan, Adanya faktor biota laut khas yang tidak dapat ditemukan ditempat lain, dan Kurangnnya koordinasi diantara aparat hukum yaitu TNI AL, Dinas Kelautan dan Perikanan, dan Polisi Perairan. Untuk menanggulangi hal tersebut Satuan Polisi Perairan Polres Raja Ampat melakukan upaya-upaya pencegahan seperti memberikan edukasi kepada masyarakat pesisir pantai tentang konsekuensi hukum apa yang akan diterima oleh pelanggar. Tidak hanya itu, Satuan Polisi Perairan Raja Ampat juga melakukan penindakan tegas kepada masyarakat yang terbukti melakukan illegal fishing. Berdasarkan penelitian yang dilakukan, Satuan Polisi Perairan Polres Raja Ampat menunjukan peningkatan kerja hal ini dapat dilihat bahwa pada tahun 2020 tidak terjadi illegal fishing diwilayah hukum Raja Ampat namun hal ini tidak terlepas oleh kekurangan-kekurangan. Contohnya seperti Satuan Polisi Peairan Polres Raja Ampat hanya dapat melakukan patroli dari waisai-piyanemo saja dan kesulitan untuk melakukan patroli di pulau-pulau pedalaman.

A new species of large Cyrtodactylus is described from lowland rainforest on Batanta Island in the Raja Ampat Archipelago, Papua Barat Province, Indonesian New Guinea. The new species can be distinguished from all other Melanesian Cyrtodactylus by the combination of large size (over 110mm SVL), very robust build, presence of enlarged ventral tubercles below the lateral fold and around the angle of the lower jaw only, and dorsal colouration consisting of three to four irregular dark greyish-brown blotches. It is the second species of Cyrtodactylus known with certainty only from the Raja Ampat Islands. The morphology of the new species places it within the C. loriae group and suggests that it is closely related to Cyrtodactylus irianjayaensis.

Species checklists are a fundamental component of biodiversity research. They foster understanding of species distributions and habitat preferences, thus reducing gaps of knowledge in geographical occurrences of species. Especially in light of the limited availability of data on species distributions for Tanah Papua, an increasing scientific focus on the region is crucial to foster and refine the knowledge of species occurrences and to inform potential conservation planning. Despite a strong focus on conservation of Raja Ampat´s marine areas, surprisingly few studies have focused on the terrestrial biodiversity of the archipelago. As a consequence, detailed species checklists are largely missing. Here, we provide a preliminary bird species checklist for the island of Gam and its surrounding islands, located in the central Raja Ampat archipelago. During nine sampling periods between 2013 and 2019, we recorded 132 bird species in six distinct habitat types. Of the detected species, six are considered threatened by IUCN Red List criteria. We further recorded three new species for Gam Island, thereby expanding their known extent of occurrence.