Local Communities in Raja Ampat Embrace MPA Zoning Plan

Local Communities in Raja Ampat Embrace MPA Zoning Plan
By: Sangeeta Manghubai, TNC

On November 28, 2012, the customary leaders and local communities in Raja Ampat (West Papua Province, Indonesia) formalized their commitment to enhance management effectiveness of the Southeast Misool Marine Protected Area (MPA) by declaring their zoning system through the traditional Timai ceremony in Yellu Village, Misool Island.

This action reflects strong grassroots support for Indonesia’s CTI National Plan of Action goal to achieve 20 million hectares of marine protected area coverage by 2020. It also supports the CTI Regional Plan of Action’s aim to bolster the management of MPAs within the Coral Triangle region.

The traditional declaration of the Southeast Misool MPA zoning represents a significant mandate given by the people to the Raja Ampat government to ensure sustainable management of marine resources in Misool. The ceremony was attended by the Unit Pelaksana Teknis Daerah Head and staff, Tourism Agency, Police, Misool Eco Resort, Misool Baseftin, Yellu Mutiara, and heads of sub-districts, villages, and tribal elders. The head of the pearl farm Yellu Mutiara issued an official holiday to enable staff to attend. “We sent out 480 invitations (thinking many might not make it), and ended up with close to 1,000 people attending to give their support!” said the farm manager.

The Southeast Misool MPA covers 366,000 hectares and consists of multiple zones including core no-take, community sasi and traditional use, sustainable fisheries and mariculture, and other use zones. The zoning system was developed with support from The Nature Conservancy over four years, including reef and fish population assessments, mapping of marine resource use, acknowledgement of traditional management practices, scientific assessments, and stakeholder consultations.

The final zoning plan incorporates marine conservation agreements (between villages and Misool Eco Resort) and business agreements (between villages and the pearl farm Yellu Mutiara). Like other MPAs in Raja Ampat, the zoning system combines modern conservation science and traditional management practices (sasi), which is uncommon in Indonesia. Similar to Kofiau MPA, the Southeast Misool MPA zoning plan is a unique example in the Coral Triangle of integrating biodiversity, fisheries, and climate change considerations into MPA management.

The Timai ceremony pays respect to the ancestors of local communities. Led by customary leaders, offerings of beetle nuts, tobacco, and chicken were cast into the ocean, accompanied by prayers for ocean protection and continued marine resource abundance. Following the ceremony, local government officials recognized and endorsed three Community Patrol Groups and officially opened three patrol posts (Jaam Island, Gamfi, and Waaf). The Waaf Island patrol post was funded by Raja Ampat tourism entrance fees.

Photo Captions:

Upper Right: Raja Ampat residents celebrate the signing of the MPA Zoning Plan. Credit: TNC
Middle Right: Local government officers and community leaders sign the zoning plan. Credit: TNC
Lower Right: Local communities participate in the Timai ceremony. Credit: TNC