Quarterly Report Raja July 2025

Divo Ario – Jr. Marine Biologist

Dive into Paradise: Raja Ampat Reflections

Species that I once celebrated as jackpot sightings in Nusa Penida—like the majestic Napoleon wrasse (Cheilinus undulatus) or even a shy reef shark—are surprisingly common here. On several dives, I’ve found myself surrounded by fish aggregations so thick that they almost obscure the reef. It’s hard to believe that in one place, so many of Indonesia’s iconic species live side-by-side in such harmony. I’ve set a personal goal for myself while I’m here: to see and photograph an Oceanic manta ray (Mobula birostris) in the wild. Just thinking about witnessing such a magnificent creature soaring over the reef gives me goosebumps. The Dampier Strait, our main working area, is teeming with possibilities. Every dive feels like unwrapping a present—who knows what surprise might swim by?

More than anything, this experience has reignited a deep sense of purpose within me. Raja Ampat is more than just a dive destination—it’s a blueprint for what a healthy marine ecosystem can and should be. It serves as a constant reminder of why we dedicate ourselves to marine conservation. Here, the ocean still pulses with life. And I’m incredibly grateful to be part of the mission to protect it.

Science Update: Coral, Surveys & Conservation

While the underwater beauty of Raja Ampat is certainly a highlight, this quarter was equally filled with rigorous scientific work—work that forms the backbone of marine conservation efforts. From May through June, our science team was able to carry out a wide range of monitoring and restoration activities that are helping us better understand and protect this vibrant marine environment. In total, we completed 25 Roving Fish Surveys, 10 Benthic Surveys, 9 BRUV (Baited Remote Underwater Video) Deployments, 5 Coral Watch assessments, 7 Coral Gardening dives, 4 Dive Against Debris clean-ups, and 3 Coral Restoration sessions.

Each of these activities plays a crucial role in our conservation objectives. Roving and benthic surveys help us track fish biomass, coral cover, and overall ecosystem health. BRUV deployments allow us to observe marine life without human presence, capturing natural behavior that often goes unseen. Coral Watch surveys help us assess bleaching risk and long-term coral health. Meanwhile, our hands-on coral gardening and restoration dives are already showing promise. We’ve been able to plant and monitor coral fragments across several sites, with the goal of increasing both diversity and resilience in these critical habitats. The knowledge and experience gained from working in restoration sites like Crystal Bay in Nusa Penida have become invaluable references for our work in Raja Ampat

Looking forward, we’re preparing to expand our science operations to compare marine life conditions in take zones versus no-take zones. One exciting development is our plan to begin surveys at a site known as “Cross Over” in the Cape Kri area—one of the most biologically rich reefs on Earth. Studying this site will help us gather data on the effectiveness of different marine management strategies. We are also continuing our regular visits to the ReShark Project, a global effort to reintroduce sharks to depleted areas. This collaboration not only adds incredible value to our internship program but also gives me, personally, a chance to witness world-class conservation work in action. It’s proof that meaningful marine conservation can come in many forms—from data collection to habitat restoration to species reintroduction—and all of it matters.

Mia Johnston – Program Coordinator

It’s been another lively and colourful three months here in Raja Ampat, filled with both the expected chaos of jungle life and those sweet, grounding moments that remind us why we’re here.

We welcomed 22 new interns this quarter—from Australia, New Zealand, the US, the UK (England and Scotland), and across Europe including Belgium, Denmark, Finland, the Netherlands, France, Germany, Spain, and Poland. From bustling boat briefings to communal dinners echoing with five different languages at once, it’s been a wonderfully wild ride adjusting to a bigger-than-usual group. We went from our usual 12 interns to a full house of 16, which meant full boats, jam-packed classrooms, and many a night where conversations ran long after dinner plates were cleared. It’s been beautiful to see how people from such different backgrounds can come together with a shared passion for the ocean.

One standout moment from the quarter was a special science talk on marine mammals (Cetaceans) hosted by Tova, who stepped in while Maxs was away. With frequent local sightings of dolphins, whales, and the occasional dugong, this workshop couldn’t have come at a better time. Interns were absolutely hooked—and even some Scuba Republic guests joined in, which created a lovely crossover between conservation education and eco-tourism. There’s been talk about making this a recurring ecology session, and honestly, I hope we do—it adds a really exciting dimension to our program.

In terms of training and leadership, we’ve also introduced something new this quarter: senior interns leading night dives. It’s been such a positive step in building confidence and practical guiding skills, and the feedback from both interns and staff has been glowing. There’s something empowering about navigating a reef in the dark, and it really sharpens those team-leading instincts.

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On the conservation side of things, we’ve seen a very welcome new regulation come into play at Blue Magic—capping dive numbers to just 10 per hour. After a chaotic high season that saw far too many divers hovering over this small but mighty pinnacle (also a cleaning station for oceanic manta rays, Mobula birostris, between October and March), this regulation is a massive win for both safety and sustainability. It’s a relief to see proactive steps like this being taken to protect our most sensitive sites.

In their free time, interns have been getting creative—some beautiful marine-themed murals now decorate the dorms, adding a splash of personality to the jungle villas. Between painting, snorkelling on the house reef, and trips to Arborek, Piaynemo, and Blue River on the days off, there’s been no shortage of adventure or inspiration.

All in all, it’s been a season of growth—more people, more activity, and more community energy than ever before. There have been some logistical challenges with the bigger group size (and the usual jungle 2025_Quarterly Report_April-June_Divo curveballs), but watching this place evolve while still holding onto its roots has been incredibly rewarding.

As always, thank you to everyone who helps make this project what it is—from the interns who show up with curiosity and heart, to the team who keep it all ticking behind the scenes. 

Until next time!

Shamira – Research  Assistant

It is changing to windy season here, which has been making the currents more unpredictable than usual, with ripping currents during the half moon phase.