The Raja Ampat in Papua is not one of the most visited scuba diving
areas in the world which is strange since almost everyone who knows
anything about the area agrees that there can surely be nowhere better
on earth. Boasting the highest marine diversity on the planet, beautiful
topside scenery and awesome underwater topography diving Raja Ampat is
as close as you can get to underwater heaven.
Schooling Black Snappers - West Papua Province
To
stand on the bow of your liveaboard boat as it cuts through the clear
water towards verdant islands, inhabited by people whose lives are so
different to your own, really creates that frontier diving kind of
feeling.
Not many Indonesia liveaboards cover the Raja Ampat scuba
diving sites around Irian Jaya making the exploration of this fabulous
area even more special. Some of the highlights include the innumerable
war wrecks, both ships and planes (with new wrecks being discovered
constantly), encounters with dolphins, Misool Island and the simplicity
of drifting effortlessly over some of the most pristine and fascinating
coral scenes imaginable.
When your small group stops at a site
where there are no other divers you will feel like a pioneer slipping
into waters that you feel you are the first to dive. Amazing quantities
of fish as well as beautiful topside topography and critters in their
millions, your memories of Irian Jaya will stay with you forever.
The
Raja Ampat, or Four Kings Archipelago encompasses more than 9.8 million
acres of land and sea off the northwestern tip of Indonesia's West
Papua Province.
Cockatoo Leaffish, Raja Ampat
The
area includes the 4 large islands of Waigeo, Batanta, Salawati, and
Misool, plus hundreds of smaller islands. The archipelago is part of an
area known as the Bird's Head functional seascape, which also contains
Cenderawasih Bay, the largest marine national park in Indonesia.
Located
in the Coral Triangle, the heart of the world's coral reef
biodiversity, the seas and dive sites around Raja Ampat are possibly the
richest in the world. The area's massive coral colonies show that its
reefs are resistant to threats like coral bleaching and disease -
threats that now jeopardise the survival of corals around the world. In
addition, Raja Ampat's strong ocean currents sweep coral larvae across
the Indian and Pacific Oceans to replenish other reef ecosystems. Raja
Ampat's coral diversity, resilience, and ability to replenish reefs make
it a global priority for marine protection.
Survey Confirms Highest Marine Biodiversity on Earth
In
2002, The Nature Conservancy and our partners conducted a scientific
survey of the Raja Ampat Islands to collect information on its marine
ecosystems, mangroves, and forests. The survey brought Raja Ampat's
total number of confirmed corals to 537 species - an incredible 75% of
all known coral species. In addition, 828 fish species were recorded,
raising the known total for Raja Ampat to an amazing 1,074. On land, the
survey found lush forests, rare plants, limestone outcroppings, and
nesting beaches for thousands of sea turtles. See the results from their
more recent 2006 marine survey report.
Though human impacts here
are less severe than elsewhere in Indonesia, Raja Ampat's natural
resources are endangered by overfishing and destructive fishing, turtle
poaching, and unsustainable logging. The Indonesian government recently
established Raja Ampat as a separate administrative unit, which will
give communities a greater say in managing the natural resources upon
which their livelihoods depend. This structure also offers an important
opportunity to include conservation in the spatial planning of the newly
formed local government.
If you need further information please visit Holiday Tour at www.paketwisataliburan.com
reff : divetheworld.com
You can also check this site: http://www.papuaparadise.com/
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