Misool

A marine conservation model that is working. Rangers patrol day and night protecting the 300,000 acres/1220 sq km Misool Marine Reserve and ensure it remains a balanced and healthy NO-TAKE Zone. Rampant shark finning and unchecked destructive fishing were destroying some of the most important and bio-diverse reefs on earth. In 2005, a powerful partnership between local communities and the @misoolfoundation resulted in the creation of the region's first No-Take Zone. A scientific survey analyzed fish biomass at several sites within the Misool Marine Reserve, comparing data from 2007 and 2013. On average, the biomass increased by 250% over just 6 years. On some key sites, recovery surpassed 600% while Oceanic Manta sightings also increased 25-fold between 2010 and 2016. A separate 2012 study established that there are 25 times more sharks inside the Misool Marine Reserve than directly outside of it.