The whale shark (Rhincodon typus) inhabits Cenderawasih Bay at the Birdhead Seascape of Papua in high frequent sightings, but little is known about its genetic characteristics and connectivity. The study was conducted to characterize of the R. typus COI gene fragment from Cenderawasih Bay, in order to accurately compare with the 27 COI gene fragment sequences from the global whale shark deposited in the GenBank. A total of 28 meat samples of whale shark were collected by biopsy punch on a pole spear. The meat samples were extracted to obtain whole genome then amplified and sequenced to obtained COI nucleotides. The determined COI is a 669 bp, comprising of A = 26.5%, T/U = 30.5%, C = 28.3%, dan G = 14.7%. In total, 41 cutting sites of all the sequences ranged in size from 5-7 bp long. One COI single nucleotide polymorphisms and 2 haplotypes were identified. Single site substitution change from T to C for both haplotypes was observed. Overall, the haplotype diversity (Hd= 0.137) and nucleotide diversity (π=0.0002) were relatively low. A different nucleotide composition, number and arrangement of the sequences with the whale shark COI sequences from Cenderawasih Bay compared to COI gene fragment sequences from GenBank were observed. This study shows the availability of sequence of whale shark will contribute to aid further studies of molecular systematics, phylogeography, genetic differentiation, and conservation genetics.

The Sausapor Declaration has served as a stepping stone towards convening and balancing the dynamics of governmental politics, conservation efforts, the protection of customary communities’ rights, and the sustainable management of natural resources in Tambrauw District. The Declaration supported the establishment of Tambrauw as a Conservation District, while also acknowledging the rights of customary communities in shaping political priorities of the local government, which include: a) stewardship of extensive remaining tropical forests (91.9% forest cover); b) management of protected areas, which represent 77-80% of the total area of the District; c) acknowledging the cultural traditions of five major indigenous groups; and, d) securing the active support of formal institutions for these goals. Two stages have shaped the effort to establish the Conservation District.  The first stage involved the period prior to the formal declaration, while the second ecompasses development and implementation of related policies.  Establishing local regulations and protecting local communities required extensive lobbying with the provincial and national government, as well as advocacy in various seminars, including both national and international conferences that provided strategic opportunities for securing support for the Conservation District. These steps have been instrumental in gaining legitimacy and public support for relevant conservation policies and for protecting the rights of customary communities. As one example, the review of Tambrauw spatial planning documents  (RTRW) led to prioritizing eco-tourism as a leading sector for economic development, along with the creation of an overall agropolitan and renewable energy strategy.

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Seagrass is a high level and a flowering plant that is fully adapted to life in the coastal and has ability to store carbon by 10% of the carbon content in the oceans. The research doing at Gunung Botak Bay Coastal South Manokwari Regency with objective of research to estimate seagrass density and to estimate rate accumulation of carbon from Enhalus acroides. Some the stages of the research done is density sample as long to period 2015 (April and Mei) into (September and Ocktober). Other sampling to collecting seagrass to estimate carbon storage in part like daun, rhizome root and substrat. Result to showing average carbon accumulation of seagrass in above below ground is rhizome part and higher in Statiun1 (13.16±3.8),stasiun 3 (5.4±2.9) dan stasiun 5 (6.2±1.1) or the generally accumulation carbon in the three is 8.24 kg from Enhalus acroides. Future more, accumulation carbon in sediment as a 1664,2 in dept 0-20 cm and 20-60 cm. Seagrass carbon storage capabilities will assist in mitigation efforts to reduce the impact of climate change in Indonesia, especially in West Papua.

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