Ocean protections clash with mining pressure in Indonesia's most diverse marine ecosystem

MISOOL, Indonesia (AP) — There is an explosion of color beneath the surface in Raja Ampat, a remote archipelago in eastern Indonesia where sharks, mantas and sea turtles glide alongside vast schools of fish through sea fan coral formations, some of which are only found in its waters.

“There’s nowhere on Earth that has as many fish, corals and everything else packed into one small place,” said Mark Erdmann, an American coral reef biologist who has spent more than two decades studying the region and became a central figure in building Raja Ampat’s conservation model.

The world famous diving archipelago sits at the heart of the Coral Triangle, in southwestern Papua, where powerful ocean currents carry nutrients that sustain what scientists describe as the most biodiverse marine ecosystem on the planet.

Long regarded as a global model for ocean conservation, Raja Ampat ecosystems are now under pressure, as concerns grow over the expansion of nickel mining alongside a surge of international tourism.

The reefs didn't always look as healthy as they do today. In the early 2000s, fishermen from other parts of Indonesia and Southeast Asia used explosives and large nets, damaging corals, decimating shark populations and forcing local residents who relied on fishing to travel as far as 10 kilometers (6 miles) offshore for a catch.

During those years, the government depended on mining and forestry as the region’s main economic drivers.

That trajectory began to shift in 2023 when a marine assessment by Conservation International sparked conversations between local leaders and environmental groups on how protecting Raja Ampat’s waters could deliver food security and lasting tourism revenue, while safeguarding one of the ocean’s most critical ecosystems.

“We brought some leaders to visit more developed areas such as Bunaken and Bali with the hope that they could see for themselves up close the benefits of natural resource management,” said Syafri Tuharea, a conservation expert who heads the Raja Ampat Marine Conservation Area.

Those exchanges laid the groundwork for 10 marine protected areas established from 2007, covering a 2 million-hectare (4.9 million-acre) area, including 45% of Raja Ampat’s reefs, seagrass beds and mangroves.

Today, local communities patrol the waters, enforce fishing rules and monitor tourism activity, largely financed by tourism revenues, including from a 700,000 Indonesian rupiah ($40) marine park entry fee.

After two decades of protection, the results are significant. A 2024 report from the Misool Foundation, one of the islands under the marine protected area, found that fish biomass has risen by 109% — a measure that serves as an indicator of ecosystem health.

The same waters now host 2,007 documented reef mantas, a large number considering the species is vulnerable to extinction because of overfishing across much of the Indo-Pacific ocean.

This conservation success is unfolding alongside a broader transition to renewable energy, a shift that is rapidly increasing demand for nickel.

The government granted new nickel mining concessions in 2025 on three northern Raja Ampat islands, some within a declared UNESCO Global Geopark and near top dive sites.

Nickel is a key component in electric vehicle batteries and essential for building wind and solar infrastructure. It has become central to Indonesia’s economic development — the country holds about 43% of the world’s reserves, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

Mining has fueled tensions within communities, where residents depend on fishing and tourism, both of which could be jeopardized.

Following a public outcry last summer, four concessions were revoked, but one remains on Gag Island, where mining started in 2017.

“The heavy machinery, excavators, bulldozers — they’re still there (in the islands),” said Timon Manurung, director of Indonesian environmental group Auriga Nusantara.

He said that no one is taking responsibility for repairing the damage already done.

The environmental risks of nickel mining are amplified by the geography of the islands, which are steep and receive heavy rainfall, conditions that can send sediment from mining sites directly into the sea.

“In the end, it will cause coral reefs to die,” said Tuharea, the marine park manager.

The affected zone also sits along a critical migration corridor for reef manta rays, one of the archipelago’s biggest tourism draws.

Beyond its marine richness, the region also contains extensive seagrass meadows and mangrove forests — coastal ecosystems covering only 0.1% of the ocean floor and 1% of the global tropical forests, according to the U.N. Environment Program. These function as powerful natural sinks to absorb carbon dioxide and help regulate the climate.

A study in March by Manurung’s environmental group found that deforestation has already reached nearly 1,000 hectares (around 2,500 acres).

“It might not seem much for Indonesia, but it is a lot for small islands,” he said.

On viewing decks overlooking Raja Ampat’s Waigeo Barat islands, visitors from France, Spain and the United States watch boats sail between shades of turquoise and blue.

Visitor numbers have held steady over the past decade, but the profile of those arriving has shifted dramatically. Foreign tourists now dominate visits to Raja Ampat, accounting for 95% of roughly 42,000 annual visitors. Domestic tourism has declined by more than two-thirds in the past decade, according to data from the Raja Ampat Regency.

International tourists are far more likely to travel on liveaboard boats for weeklong diving trips. These have rapidly increased over the past decade, according to Kristanto Umbu Kudu, who has guided divers through these waters for 25 years.

Conservationists say this is adding growing strain on reefs through anchoring, as well as waste and sewage discharge.

“Our data shows that in 2024, there were 218 tourist ships,” Tuharea said. “Can you imagine how many square meters of coral reef will be destroyed because of the anchors?”

Authorities are now considering mooring systems and restrictions on boat numbers.

At Blue Magic, one of the archipelago’s top dive sites, once crystal-clear waters are now filled by pink jellyfish tangled in waste.

“That’s something which still breaks my heart every time I see these big rafts of floating plastic,” Erdmann said.

For divers who have explored reefs around the world, Raja Ampat still stands apart. Pol Ramos, a Spanish marine biologist and co-founder of Odicean, a project that combines ocean education with dive expeditions into the region, said that its ecosystems are truly remarkable.

“It is one of the few places in the world, alongside the Amazon, where biodiversity actually increases from year to year,” he said.

Raja Ampat is home to about 75% of the world’s known hard coral species and more than 1,700 species of fish, according to Erdmann.

But what is at stake isn't only the loss of ecosystems, but also the genetic diversity they contain. Every species carries millions of years of evolutionary information encoded in its DNA, which Erdmann describes it as nature’s library of solutions.

“As we go into a more and more uncertain future with climate change,” Erdmann said, “it’s that genetic diversity that’s what we have to work with in terms of how we adapt.”

The Associated Press’ climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP’s standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.

A crew member of the Raja Laut dive boat, is silhouette at sunrise aboard near Boo Windows diving site, Raja Ampat, Indonesia, Tuesday, March 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Claudia Rosel)

Plastic waste floats alongside jellyfish at the Blue Magic dive site in Raja Ampat, Indonesia, Sunday, March 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Claudia Rosel)

A school of yellow bigeye snapper fish swim at the Melissa Garden dive site in Raja Ampat, Indonesia, Thursday, March 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Claudia Rosel)

Fish swim near coral reef at the Gorgonian Wall dive site in Misool, Raja Ampat, Indonesia, Tuesday, March 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Claudia Rosel)

A clownfish swims near sea anemone at the Boo Windows dive site in Misool, Raja Ampat, Indonesia, Wednesday, March 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Claudia Rosel)

A slender grouper fish swims at the Melissa Garden dive site in Raja Ampat, Indonesia, Thursday, March 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Claudia Rosel)

Marine biologist Pol Ramos records footage of corals at the Kerno Channel dive site in Raja Ampat, Indonesia, Thursday, March 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Claudia Rosel)

Oceanic manta rays swim at the Manta Ridge dive site in Raja Ampat, Indonesia, Saturday, March 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Claudia Rosel)

Scuba divers swim over coral at the Melissa Garden dive site in Raja Ampat, Indonesia, Thursday, March 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Claudia Rosel)

Soft coral is visible at the Gorgonian Wall dive site in Misool, Raja Ampat, Indonesia, Tuesday, March 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Claudia Rosel)

Scuba divers look at corals, known as a gorgonian, at the Gorgonian Wall dive site in Misool, Raja Ampat, Indonesia, Tuesday, March 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Claudia Rosel)

A speedboat crosses the Waigeo Barat islands, Raja Ampat, Indonesia, Thursday, March 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Claudia Rosel)

Scuba divers Alejandro Sarró, left, and Manel Sangrà check their phones as dive guide Kristanto Umbu Kudu prepares a briefing aboard the Raja Laut dive boat in Raja Ampat, Indonesia, Tuesday, March 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Claudia Rosel)

Misool Island is visible from the Raja Laut dive boat in Raja Ampat, Indonesia, Sunday, March 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Claudia Rosel)

Clownfish swim among sea anemones at the Magic Mountain dive site in Raja Ampat, Indonesia, Wednesday, March 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Claudia Rosel)

In this image provided by Auriga Nusantara, deforested land is visible where nickel mining takes place on Kawe Island, Indonesia, Dec. 21, 2024. (Auriga Nusantara via AP)

Tourists collect plastic waste from the ocean in Misool, Raja Ampat, Indonesia, Monday, March 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Claudia Rosel)

Tourists stand at a viewpoint overlooking the Waigeo Barat islands in Raja Ampat, Indonesia, Thursday, March 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Claudia Rosel)

A starfish sits at the Kerno Channel dive site in Raja Ampat, Indonesia, Thursday, March 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Claudia Rosel)

Barracudas swim at the Nudi Rock dive site in Raja Ampat, Indonesia, Monday, March 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Claudia Rosel)

A sea turtle swims at the Mayhem Ridge dive site in Raja Ampat, Indonesia, Friday, March 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Claudia Rosel)

A scuba diver watches oceanic mantas at the Manta Ridge dive site in Raja Ampat, Indonesia, Saturday, March 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Claudia Rosel)

PARIS (AP) — Ousmane Dembélé had an off night but Khvicha Kvaratskhelia added another solo goal to his collection as Paris Saint-Germain beat Liverpool 2-0 in the first leg of their Champions League quarterfinal on Wednesday.

The Georgia star cut in from the left flank midway through the second half and, with typically quick feet, skipped past a defender and the goalkeeper before stroking in his team-leading eighth goal of the competition.

“We had chances to score more,” Kvaratskhelia said. “But I think it’s OK, 2-0 is good but we have to stay concentrated.”

Désiré Doué put the defending champions ahead in the 11th minute with a deflected effort. The Ballon d'Or winner Dembélé then spurned three chances at Parc des Princes. PSG coach Luis Enrique said his side should have scored more.

“It’s a pity, clearly, we played very well and deserved more goals,” he said, adding that he was surprised that Liverpool played so defensively. “It’s the first time under Arne Slot that they have played with five defenders this season.”

Accepting his team was outplayed, Slot explained his decision to be so cautious.

“They have pace from everywhere all over the pitch, no matter where you look,” he said. "They have so many weapons (and) the times when we tried to play high and aggressive they ripped us apart."

When the two teams met last season in the round of 16, PSG advanced on penalties after losing 1-0 at home and winning 1-0 at Anfield.

The task seems less difficult this time around for PSG with Liverpool facing a trophyless season. However, six-time champion Liverpool overcame a 3-0 first-leg loss against Barcelona in the 2019 semifinals before winning 4-0 at home.

The second leg is next Tuesday at Anfield.

“I’ve been through many special evenings at Anfield,” Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk told TNT Sports. "Our fans are the backbone of the club, and hopefully they can be there for us again.”

It could be another busy night for Liverpool, even at home.

“We’re not going there to defend, that’s not in our mentality,” Luis Enrique said. “But we know there will be moments when we will suffer at Anfield. I know that, having been there many times as a player and a coach.”

Slot's team was reeling from a crushing 4-0 FA Cup defeat to Manchester City but was better led in defense. With Allison still injured, Giorgi Mamardashvili — Kvaratskhelia's teammate on the Georgia national team — continued in goal for Liverpool.

Dembélé showed great technique on the edge of the penalty area before flicking the ball left to Doué, whose deflected shot looped over Mamardashvili and under the crossbar.

Mamardashvili atoned with a fine close-range save late in the first half from Doué, again set up by Dembélé.

Another flowing PSG move moments later ended with Dembélé fluffing his shot. But a worse finish followed, and Dembélé held his head in his hands after blazing over from close range in the 53rd following a cut back by Nuno Mendes.

Dembélé hit the post late on.

In Wednesday's other quarterfinal game, Atletico Madrid won 2-0 at Barcelona.

Slot made five substitutions but kept Mohamed Salah on the bench the whole game.

“In the last part of the game it was about surviving for us,” Slot said, explaining why Salah did not come on. “Mo has so much qualities, but to be defending 25 minutes inside his own box, it’s better for Mo to save energy for matches to come.”

Hugo Ekitiké lead the attack against his old club and shot wide early in the second half.

Liverpool striker Alexander Isak — the British-record signing for 125 million pounds ($170 million) — came on in the 78th on his comeback from a broken ankle.

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

PSG's Desire Doue celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Champions League quarterfinal first leg soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Liverpool in Paris, Wednesday, April 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

PSG's Desire Doue, left, celebrates with PSG's Khvicha Kvaratskhelia after scoring the opening goal during the Champions League quarterfinal first leg soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Liverpool in Paris, Wednesday, April 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

PSG's Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, left, scores his side's second goal during the Champions League quarterfinal first leg soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Liverpool in Paris, Wednesday, April 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Liverpool's Hugo Ekitike reacts after PSG's Desire Doue scored his side's opening goal during the Champions League quarterfinal first leg soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Liverpool in Paris, Wednesday, April 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)

PSG's Desire Doue, left, celebrates with PSG's Khvicha Kvaratskhelia after scoring the opening goal during the Champions League quarterfinal first leg soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Liverpool in Paris, Wednesday, April 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

PSG's Khvicha Kvaratskhelia makes his way through on his way to score his side's second goal during the Champions League quarterfinal first leg soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Liverpool in Paris, Wednesday, April 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)

PSG's Desire Doue kicks the ball as he warms-up before the Champions League quarterfinal first leg soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Liverpool in Paris, Wednesday, April 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)

Liverpool's Alexander Isak, right, and Liverpool's Mohamed Salah run during the warm up before the Champions League quarterfinal first leg soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Liverpool in Paris, Wednesday, April 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah controls the ball during warm up before the Champions League quarterfinal first leg soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Liverpool in Paris, Wednesday, April 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Liverpool manager Arne Slot during a training session at the AXA Training Centre, Liverpool, England, Tuesday April 7, 2026. (Peter Byrne/PA via AP)

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah and Jeremie Frimpong, left, attend a training session in Liverpool, England, Tuesday April 7, 2026. (Peter Byrne/PA via AP)