Our MPAs

Area VII North Misool MPA

Total Area

308,777.34 Hectares

Year of Establishment

Year 2023

Surveillance Post

Folpulo and Kasim Posts

The Matbat and Matlow Tribes living in nine villages of Misool's northern shore declared their waters as an MPA in 2018. They were officially recognised by the Ministry of Marine and Fisheries in 2023.

North Misool's waters are abundant with biodiversity and coral reef ecosystems that support fisheries, habitats for sharks and rays, feeding grounds for dugongs, migration lanes for marine mammals, and populations of saltwater crocodiles, commonly sighted in some of the Island's estuaries.

In parallel with the customary declaration in 2018, NGO partners also develop alternative economy initiatives to support conservation efforts and increase communities' welfare through the production of fish floss and fish chips, small-scale agriculture, sago, and the development of copra production and supply chains.

Zoning Area

  • Core Zone3,447.87 Hectares
  • Limited Use Zone288,851.39 Hectares
  • Other Zone16,478.08 Hectares

The zoning figures on this page follow the latest area GeoJSON.

Indigenous Community

The majority of communities in Pam, Saukabu, and Saupapir Villages are part of the Betew Tribe.

Area Map

Click the map below to view the detailed zoning divisions within Area VII North Misool.

Loading map

Zoning and Activities Guideline

This MPA is managed through a zoning system to maintain ecosystem balance.

Zone DescriptionDivingSnorkelingFishingAnchoring

Core Zone

Part of the Raja Ampat MPAs with specific location, condition, and potential as spawning, feeding grounds, as well as fish migration lanes.

Limited Use Zone

Part of the Raja Ampat MPAs with specific locations, conditions, and potential prioritise sustainable tourism, utilisation of other environmental services, as well as research and education.

Other Zone

Part of the area managed under the official zoning outside the core and limited use zones.

Subject to Rules

• The use of Jet Skis or other motorized water vehicles is prohibited.

• Use mooring buoys. Anchoring is allowed only when necessary and must follow the Code of Conduct.

• Tourists may only fish with the explicit permission of the Traditional Head (Kepala Adat).