In May 2007, the regency government declared a network of seven Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in Raja Ampat. They worked together with The Nature Conservancy, Conservation International, and WWF Indonesia to protect this ecosystems which are of global importance. The Raja Ampat MPAs cover 3,474 square miles of coral reefs and mangroves.

Nevertheless, shark fishing and finning continues unabated in the vast majority of Raja Ampat’s waters that are beyond the protection of Misool Eco Resort's No-Take Zone. It is now very rare to see a shark in Raja Ampat outside of a No-Take-Zone. Shark finners, having fished out the mature sharks in the area, are now moving against the last very young sharks they can find, even though their fins are small and only fetch about 35 cents each. Now, as even these catches have diminished, fishermen are shifting their sights to manta rays and mobula rays.

Based on preliminary discussions between Misool Eco Resort and the Fisheries and Tourism Departments in Raja Ampat, it is a real possibility that we can help establish a marine sanctuary in Raja Ampat to cover all of the 40,000 square miles, providing legal protection to all shark, manta, and mobula species.

The Raja Ampat Fisheries and Tourism Departments needs to hear that there is great international interest in prohibiting shark fishing—especially among the eco-tourists and divers who are attracted to sharks. The petition is backed by Misool Eco Resort, Conservation International's Indonesia Marine Program, Shark Savers, and WildAid. To see a full list of backers, click here.

Please sign the petition calling for a shark sanctuary throughout Raja Ampat! Sign up on the Shark Saver's website by clicking here.