| 16
January 2007: Encountering Shark Finners inside our Marine Protected
Area |
| By
Andrew Miners
For
those of you who have been wondering how my meeting with the local
government went… well it has been delayed again, to be rescheduled
at some undetermined date. The news on the MPA however is more positive.
Although the fisheries minister never made it to Raja Ampat, the
local traditional leaders did meet and give the go ahead for the
series of marine protected areas throughout Raja Ampat, which I
believe includes our area in south east Misool. |
In
December three of our friends arrived from the States. It was Shawn,
Justin and Taro’s first time to Raja Ampat, and as investors
in Misool Eco Resort they were very keen to visit the island and
the progress we have made. It seems that they were suitably impressed
both with the island and the diving. |
Dive
shop with the walkway wrapping around to the West Channel |
|
Babak
is always smiling |
taking
a shady break |
the
walkway over the hill between the North and South beaches |
| We
took the opportunity to visit some great sites that we know, as well
as to explore a few new ones. The fish diversity and wealth of healthy
coral meant that as keen videographers and photographers they were
never lacking in things to take photographs of. In fact on a number
of occasions we had to drag Shawn out of the water just to eat some
lunch. I suspect that if he didn’t have to surface to change
tapes he may still be down their now! |
the
inside of the dive shop |
Jorg
working on the walkway around the dive shop |
On
the way back from yet another spectacular dive, we spotted a small
fishing boat anchored within our no-take zone and so motored over
to have a word with the fisherman. What we discovered was truly shocking.
They were shark-finners and the bloody mess of shark fins on deck
was mirrored by the fresh carcasses littering the reef below the boat. |
The
98% of the animal that doesn't make it into shark fin soup. |
Shark finning is still legal in Indonesia (this is truly beyond comprehension!).
They were, however, within our newly established no-take zone and
so we went on board and explained to them that they were forbidden
to fish there. As passionate divers and conservationists, it was a
real challenge for us to explain our position in a rational but firm
manner amidst the carnage. Now that the no-take zone is established,
it will be an on-going process to enforce its boundaries, and it must
involve us, the local community and fishermen alike if it is to work. |
Andrew
showing the shark finner the way out. Photo by Justin Ebert.
|
| The
captain produced a handwritten letter of permission from the local
village head giving them the rights to collect shark fins in all the
surrounding waters for one month. The price of this permit? $35. They
had been out just a few days and already had dozens of fins scattered,
drying on their decks. After half an hour we moved them on and told
them to check again with the village head so they didn’t make
the same “mistake” again. |
The
next day I visited the village to confront the village head about
the finning boat. He restated his support for the no-take zone and
suggested we should produce charts with the no-take zone denoted
on it, so when he gives out fishing permits he can show the fishermen
where they are forbidden to go. We can also give these charts to
any fisherman who find themselves inside the no-take zone. He also
agreed to allow us to put up signs on the beaches of the surrounding
islands explaining the no-take zone and warning fishermen against
fishing there. |
A
$35 shark finning permit |
Although this is not one of my favorite duties associated with Misool
Eco Resort, this is one of the most important aspects of the resort
and conservation centre. None of us are content just to enjoy the
beautiful reefs and hope that the threats to them magically vanish,
or be dealt with by someone else. If we don’t stand up for
Raja Ampat, which is also our home now, who will?
We
are planning a joint project with the local community to start a
small patrol of the area. If we can raise the money to start, then
a couple of local rangers, whom we will train, will patrol the area
daily to prevent fishing, shark finning and turtle poaching within
our no-take zone. This will be one of Misool Conservation Centre's
first projects and a vital support to the no fishing agreements
we have secured.
Shawn produced a fantastic but sobering short film on the shark
finners. Click here watch the video. Also, you might like to have a look at Eric Battistoni's
report from his recent visit to Batbitim. There are some fantastic
fotos here,
as well as some neat stories from the village and his trip back
via the west side of Misool.
|
On
a brighter note, as we have started drilling for water on the island,
the village elders suggested that we should follow the local traditions
“adat” and hold a ceremony to ask the spirits of the
island for their blessing. So on a bright sunny day some of the
elders of the village arrived and proceeded to perform their age-old
ceremony to obtain the blessing from the spirit of Batbitim.
|
Village
elders dressing the tree |
Babak
and the tree on the way to Warakaket
B |
| They
started by dressing a small tree with offerings of tobacco and beetle
nut all tied up with colourful pieces of cloth. We then took the tree
to the eastern most beach on the neighbouring island Warakaket, which
is the most holy place in this area. There the tree was planted and
prayers were said as according to their tradition. |
| After
obtaining the blessing from these spirits we returned to Batbitim
and went immediately to the place where we are drilling to ask once
again for a blessing. Another tree was planted and prayers said then
it was back to camp for lunch. It was all a quite relaxed and jovial
affair. Our local hosts hold strongly to their traditions and although
their beliefs are not shared by all our western staff, we felt honoured
to participate in these age old ceremonies. |
the
Kepala Desa |
Village
elder, Andrew, and the Kepala Desa
|
| Drilling
will resume later this month - our well driller's wife has just given
birth. Congratulations Mr and Mrs Nasir! Hopefully, now that we've
received the blessing from the resident spirit of Batbitim, we will
have more water than we know what to do with!! |
the
Kepala Desa at the well |
One
surprise visitor this month was a little blue-ringed fellow which
we found hunting amongst the corals while we were laying the foundations
for the walkway to the dive shop. He seemed oblivious to the work
being carried on above him and happily carried on hunting for
octopus snacks. Hopefully he’ll visit us on a dive in the
near future. And steer clear of our feet!
|
And finally, The Nature Conservancy has passed along these images
from a recent aerial survey of Raja Ampat. Thank you, TNC! |
Home!
Batbitim looking East - the north beach is in the bottom right of
the image, and the south beach with the swimming hole is visible
in the top left. |
Nearby
lagoons. |
And
a note from your trusty webmistress, Marit:
The
MER office with be empty from the 20th of January for about two
weeks, as I'm heading off to Batbitim to celebrate my 30th birthday
in scuba-style! Either Andrew or I will respond to any emails in
early February, when we head to Bali to meet with the architect
and start planning the interiors of the cottages. |
