Arborek Residents Remain Loyal in Protecting Nature amid the Pandemic

FERGANATA INDRA RIATMOKO

The beauty of Arborek Island in Meosmansar District, Raja Ampat, West Papua, seen from the air, Sunday (30/5/2021). Arborek is one of the main tourist destinations in the Raja Ampat region.

The livelihoods of the residents of Arborek Island in Raja Ampat, West Papua, have been deeply affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. Even so, they remain committed to the path of conservation, despite the existence of an easy option to extract natural wealth.

After being devastated by the Covid-19 pandemic, Arborek tourism in Raja Ampat regency has begun to slowly return. Tourist accommodations that were rarely filled during the pandemic are now starting to be occupied by local and foreign tourists.

This fresh wind has been blowing since the end of December 2021. The determination and loyalty of the residents to protect nature has borne fruit. The area’s sustainability keeps tourists interested in coming.

The guest house owned by Naftali Mambraku, 35, for example, has been visited by 14 local tourists and 4 tourists from the Netherlands in the last month.

“Previously there were almost no foreign tourists coming during the pandemic. There were only 5 local visitors per month at most," he said on Tuesday (18/1/2022).

As a result, the business’s coffers began to fill again. Naftali said people were already beginning to ask about staying at the guest house in February.

Arborek residents actually had another option for making money. The small island, which has an area of less than 7.5 hectares, is blessed with abundant natural wealth. The use of trawling nets and other fishing gear that is not environmentally friendly could have resulted in a catch of tons of fish every day.

Fortunately, this did not tempt Naftali or other residents. They chose to catch fish as needed. That was enough.

We are not allowed to catch fish here [near the coast]. These are village regulations that must be obeyed.

As in the beginning of June 2021, under the scorching sun, it took Naftali only 45 minutes to return home and bring the kuwe fish, grouper and mackerel. The catch was obtained from waters 2.7 kilometers from the shore of Arborek.

The catch was not only to meet the needs of Naftali, his wife and four children. Some was processed into salted fish and sold to the market through middlemen. If they

wanted the easy way, the stilted house of the guest house serves as a daily playground for a large group of kuwe fish.

"We are not allowed to catch fish here [near the coast]. These are village regulations that must be obeyed. If you want to take fish, please go offshore," said Naftali.

FERGANATA INDRA RIATMOKO

Arborek Island in Meosmansar District, Raja Ampat, West Papua, seen from the air during low tide, Friday (28/5/2021).

Ever exploitative

This choice a like a form of repentance for residents who for decades had used fishing gear that was not environmentally friendly. Bombs, potassium and trawling nets were once used to catch as many fish as possible. As a result, the marine ecosystem there was damaged.

Thanks to the presence of conservation activists from various nongovernmental organizations in 2006, the community was invited to participate in restoring the sea. They found out that there were alternative sources of livelihood, namely the development of ecotourism.

Naftali has also enjoyed the money from the change. Starting by establishing a two-bedroom guest house in 2015, he now has nine rooms for rent.

However, the Covid-19 pandemic has caused the island’s economy to slow down. Over the last 1.5 years, the number of tourist arrivals has fallen drastically.

In order to fulfill their daily needs, residents have returned to fishing. The difference from their previous life is that they do not use destructive fishing gear anymore.

Village funds are used every year to build people's houses one after the other

They only use fishing rods, fishing rifles and spears to prevent unsustainable fishing.

"If we take [all the fish] now, what will our children and grandchildren get?" said Naftali.

The head of Arborek village, Daud Mambrasar, said the majority of the 45 families in the village worked in the fisheries or tourism sector. When tourism was battered by the pandemic, residents had to depend on fishing alone for a living.

However, the community still agrees that it will not catch fish within a 1 nautical mile radius of the village. The goal is to restore the aquatic ecosystem around the island.

A suspension of financial assistance from the village awaits residents who violate these regulations.

"Village funds are used every year to build people's houses one after the other," Daud explained.

Conservation at Arborek is not just talk. For example, in June 2021, residents and conservation activists used the quiet of the pandemic to plant coral.

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Keeping working

Apart from catching fish, Orpa Mayor, 64, has other ways to survive during the pandemic. She uses her backyard to plant cassava, potatoes, taro and bananas. “So for daily food, just take it from the backyard. Every now and then I buy rice and sago from the market,” said the grandmother of 12 grandchildren.

Besides growing crops, almost every day she makes souvenirs made from sikar and pandan leaves. She continues to so even though she doesn't know when the pandemic will end.

Orpa believes the pandemic will not be eternal. She does not want to be lazy even though there is no guarantee that her craft products will sell soon.

“God is very good. If we are in trouble now, it means He will give us joy later," she said.

Almost two years of the pandemic has made tourism in Arborek slump. However, residents have not panicked and exploited the natural wealth of the sea. They have proven they can survive on the path of conservation.

This article was translated by Hyginus Hardoyo.