Biodiversity Conservation Network
11. Dive Tourism off the Reefs of the Padaido Islands, Irian Jaya
Location: Padaido Islands, Irian Jaya, Indonesia Partners: Rumsram Foundation
Hualopu Foundation
IDRC
Canadian University Service Organization (CUSO)Project Title: Sustainable Community-Based Marine Conservation in Irian Jaya, Indonesia BCN Funding: $295,843 Partner Contribution: $97,769 Grant Period: July 1, 1996 - December 31, 1998
Project Overview
Eastern Indonesia has some of the highest marine diversity in the world. The Padaido Islands, Irian Jaya are the site of some of the world's most intact and biologically diverse coral reef systems, harboring 95 coral species and 155 fish species, and other marine resources which offer both non-cash and commercial value to the area's inhabitants. Many of the coral reefs found in and around the Padaido Islands near Biak, however, are threatened by unsustainable levels of resource exploitation and destructive fishing techniques including especially the use of cyanide and explosives.
Yayasan Rumsram (based in Biak, Irian Jaya) and Yayasan Hualopu (based in Ambon, Maluku) are addressing these threats by working with local communities to establish a community-based marine ecotourism venture in the Padaido Islands and, at the same time, introducing alternative, sustainable methods of harvesting the marine resources in the area. Rumsram has already built one homestay on the Padaido Islands and has, with assistance from UNDP, established a functioning community-based savings mechanism. The project is also creating a community owned and operated dive tourism agency that will offer shares to local community members. Currently, most of the tourism in the area is larger scale tourism that excludes participation of local communities. The travel agency will initially be owned by Rumsram and the cooperatives in the three target villages. The stakeholders will be represented by a Board of Directors. It is expected that the benefits from the dive tourism packages, combined with necessary training in business management and alternative harvesting techniques, will create local incentives for long-term resource management and exploitation.
1996 Accomplishments
Rumsram has been active in the field, working with the Padaido community. They have met with the villagers regarding revitalization of their marketing co-operative. A women's saving group has been strengthened through recruitment of new members. There is as a consequence now more money available in their saving account. The community has been informed about the eco-tourism project and the community people are enthusiastic in their support.Activities related to fisheries involve introduction of environmentally appropriate fishing gear such as FADs and gillnets. Several groups of fishermen have been convinced to stop using bombs. Meetings have been held to consider the zonation of local waters for various uses.
The first boat the community had for transporting tourists was wrecked in the tidal wave (see Challenges below). Rumsram has built a larger new boat for use in the project. The upgrading of the existing tourist cottage in Dawi Island is underway. A well and bathroom have been added to the facility. Additional units are now under construction by community members, who are copying this existing facility. Rumsram has also been gathering baseline data for the monitoring of socio-economic indicators. The biological monitoring plan will be reviewed and revised in November.
The project book-keeper received training in financial management over a period of two weeks. Also, a series of meetings have been held to finalize management plans.
Success Stories
On Passi Island there is a fisherman who is know as the "Bomb Raja(king)" because in the past he has been a leader in the use of highly destructive bombs for catching reef fish. Today he has a new name -- "Raja FAD." FAD stands for Fish Aggregating Device, a floating platform which attracts fish and allows the harvesting of pelagic fish without the destruction of the reef habitat. How did this change of heart come about? It was not because the Raja became an environmentalist. However, with the help of the project team, he was shown that his income and future security were improved through the substitution of FAD fishing for bomb fishing.
Challenges
The project has met and overcome a very serious challenge. Early in the history of the project (February 17, 1996) a strong earthquake and tidal wave wiped out many of the homes of villagers and the local co-operative's shops and damaged the tourist accommodation being used by the project. Computers and project files were also swept away. Since then, the project staff and their village partners have struggled to put the project and it's infrastructure back together. A major problem was the overwhelming feelings of despair and hopelessness felt by the affected communities. Rumsram fund-raised for a rehabilitation fund and was able to assist in the purchase of new fishing gear and agricultural tools. This activity was an important entry point for the project's work in the communities. Strong working relationships are one positive outcome of the disaster.
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