Raja Ampat – which literally means “four kings” consists of four big islands: Waigeo, Batanta, Salawati and Misool, and hundreds of smaller ones. It covers an area of 4.5 million hectares and is home to 60,000 people. Raja Ampat is home to 75 percent of all known coral species, 1,470 reef fish, eight types of whales and seven types of dolphins. The mangrove forests boast uniquely soft corals, while its beaches are hatching grounds for green turtle and the endangered hawksbill turtle. Purwanto, Bird’s Head marine protected area technical advisor from TNC, said marine over-exploitation reached Papua while demand for fresh seafood increased worldwide. Luckily, a joint conservation effort had been set up by the local administration, local communities and environmental organizations to protect 4.5 million hectares in the Raja Ampat zone. In 2006 a network of Raja Ampat marine protected areas (MPAs) was established, covering a total of 1 million hectares of coastal area and sea. MPAs have implemented a zonal system that regulates which spots can be used for fishing and which ones are completely closed to all activities but scientific purposes. “Through the zonal system we set aside 20 to 30 percent of critical habitat to be protected and that can guarantee the sustainability of fisheries throughout Raja Ampat,” Purwanto said. The MPA included sasi, the traditional local conservation measure that closes damaged areas until recovery. TNC and CI recruited local people to work with them and training them. Some reach out to villagers to raise awareness and educate children about conservation through fun learning, some take part in marine patrol squads, while others join the underwater monitoring team. Lukas Rumetna, the Bird’s Head portfolio manager of TNC, said that after years of building the skills and commitment of local people, they are ready to continue the conservation efforts on their own. “Most of them have understood their role in managing the MPAs. Some tasks may still need our assistance, but overall they have all been equipped with the know-how,” he said. “And as we’re leaving soon, local people will then work together with the technical control unit from the local administration that will replace our work here.”