Raja Ampat
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Raja Ampat covers 4 million hectares of sea and remote forest covered islands and the only way to explore the area is by boat.
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Many dive boats operating in the area are traditionally built in Indonesia by hand using wood from the forests.
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Before diving a tourism entrance fee is charged of $55 which 40% goes to conservation and patrol fund, 40% to community and health projects and 20% administration.
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Beneath the waves some of the most diverse reefs in the world can be found draped in a profusion of life and colour.
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1320 species of reef fish have been surveyed so far.
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Large shoals of sweetlips are found around coral bommies.
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In the heart of the world's coral reef biodiversity it has the richest variety of recorded corals in the world. With 75% of all known species being present.
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These diverse reefs create habitat for many more species that live on and inside the reef structure. Like this Mantis shrimp.
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Sponges and sea fans cover the tide swept reefs.
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Colourful nudibranchs are found on the reefs exhibiting bright colours that may indicate their poisonous.
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Intricate detail of a coral that make up large reef systems throughout Raja Ampat.
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Reefs in Raja Ampat are thought to be more resilient to changes in temperature due to upwelling deep water and may be better equipped to with stand climate change.
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Huge shoals of anchovies are found amongst the reef systems providing food for predatory fish such as jacks, tuna and sharks.
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90 remote villages are dotted all round the archipelago that rely on the seas for transport and food.
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Raja Ampat government in 2007 declared a network of seven marine protected areas that covers about 45% of reefs and mangroves. An area of 900000 hectares.
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In conjunction with NGO's the local communities are working together for a sustainable vision of their marine resources.
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Low human population levels and remoteness of these islands have kept the reefs and ecosystems healthy and relatively undisturbed. However as resources become scarce else where in the world and fish stocks are fished out more pressure mounts in these remote regions.
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The biggest threat to Raja Ampat's biodiversity is from out side influences like logging, mining and destructive fishing methods.
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It vital that the local communities can implement the MPA's successfully and appropriately policed. Otherwise it will end up like many other parts of the world and the losers will be the next generation who rely on the marine resources for food.
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NGO's working closely with local communities give Raja Ampat a fighting chance of protecting its valuable resources for future generations and to be enjoyed by many visitors to see many of the unique species that live there.
