A Holistic Approach to Manta Ray Conservation in The Papuan Bird’s Head Seascape: Resounding Success, Ongoing Challenges

This paper documents how two decades of an organically developed, multi-stakeholder conservation approach in the Papuan Bird’s Head Seascape—centered on a well-enforced MPA network, full legal protection of manta rays, fisheries gear restrictions, and adaptive tourism management—has enabled reef and oceanic manta ray populations in Raja Ampat to thrive while many global populations decline. Over 90% of known manta aggregation and nursery sites now fall within MPAs, supported by sustainable financing through tourism fees and strong community co-management. The study demonstrates that integrating science, customary governance, policy reform, and economic incentives (“mantanomics”) can deliver measurable conservation success for highly vulnerable elasmobranchs, while emphasizing that expanding protections beyond Raja Ampat and managing tourism pressure remain critical ongoing challenges.

Author:

Edy Setyawan, Mark V. Erdmann, Nikka Gunadharma, Tiene Gunawan, Abdi Hasan, Muhamad Izuan, Meidiarti Kasmidi, Yusdi Lamatenggo, Sarah Lewis, Nugraha Maulana, Ronald Mambrasar, Meity Mongdong, Alberth Nebore, Mochamad Iqbal Herwata Putra, Abraham Sianipar, Kristian Thebu, Syafri Tuharea, Rochelle Constantine

Publisher:

Marine Policy

Keywords:

manta ray, conservation, tourism, marine protected area, marine megafauna, indo-pacific, raja ampat

Group Species:

Elasmobranch

Species:

Reef manta ray

Scale:

Bird Head Seascape

Year:

2022