Marine Rapid Assessment of the Raja Ampat Islands, Papua Province, Indonesia

The Raja Ampat islands are another example of a highly diverse coral ecosystem under threat. Such regions stand out not only because of their species richness, endemism, and habitat level diversity, but also because of their relatively pristine condition. Yet portions of these coral ecosystems face imminent destruction and degradation because of over-fishing or destructive fishing, pollution, population growth, and the urbanization of coastlines. This rapid assessment catalogs the current biological state of the Raja Ampat islands and assesses potential threats.

S. A. McKenna is director of the Marine Biodiversity Analysis Program at the Center for Applied Biodiversity Science at Conservation International.
N. Baillon is director of services of aquaculture and fishing at the Department of Economic Development and Environment, Province Nord.
H. Blaffart is project director at the Mount Panié Co-management Conservation Area, Maruia Trust of New Caledonia Association.
 G. Abrusci is technical coordinator of the Marine Biodiversity Analysis Program at the Center for Applied Biodiversity Science at Conservation International.

 

 

 


Sheila A. McKenna is director of the Marine Rapid Assessment Program of Conservation International’s Center for Applied Biodiversity Science. Gerald R. Allen is a research scientist for the Center for Applied Biodiversity Science.