Empowering Communities through Marine Beach Clean-Up and Sampling in Manokwari, West Papua
The marine and coastal ecosystems are among the most productive and ecologically valuable systems on the planet (Barbier, 2017). However, over time, these environments have faced increasing degradation due to unsustainable human activities (Arthington et al., 2016). From pollution and overexploitation to habitat destruction and climate change, these pressures have significantly altered the stability and health of our oceans and coastlines (Trathan et al., 2015; Pawar, 2016; Yan et al., 2021).
One of the most pressing threats today is marine debris, particularly plastic waste, which originates largely from land-based human activities. It is estimated that between 7,000 to 250,000 tons of plastic waste have entered marine environments globally (Eriksen et al., 2014; Galafassi et al., 2019), with approximately 80% of it coming from land-based sources (Jambeck et al., 2015; Conservancy, 2015). Contributing factors include unsustainable consumer habits, poor waste management systems, and limited public awareness (Pasternak et al., 2017). If unaddressed, marine debris will continue to endanger marine biodiversity and threaten human well-being affecting tourism, health, and local economies (Krelling et al., 2017; Purba et al., 2019; Abalansa et al., 2020; Embulaba et al., 2021).
This issue is also evident in Manokwari Regency, located along Doreri Bay and facing the Pacific Ocean. As the capital of West Papua Province and a representative of Indonesia’s conservation region, Manokwari's coastal health is vital. Yet, marine debris remains a persistent challenge in this area. Recognizing the urgency of this issue, community participation also plays a vital role in addressing environmental challenges. Research shows that engaging local communities can provide impactful and sustainable outcomes for environmental issues. Through educational and volunteer activities, people can become agents of change in their own regions ( Tapilatu & Kolibongso, 2021). Related to this, a community engagement initiative was launched by the youth-based marine conservation organization Our ConservaSea in Manokwari. The initiative focused on marine debris sampling and beach clean-ups at four coastal locations in Manokwari: Pasir Putih Beach (October 2022), BLK Beach (December 2022), Wosi Beach (February 2023), and Rendani Beach (April 2023). These quarterly activities aimed to: Raise public awareness about marine debris, Reduce waste accumulation at key coastal sites, and, Collect data to support local marine debris research.
Each event was held from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM and involved a growing number of local volunteers—7 in the first session, 8 in the second, and 10 in the third and fourth sessions. The program was led by a dedicated field team and structured into small, focused working groups for effective sampling and data collection. This initiative demonstrated that marine debris sampling and clean-up can serve as an effective platform for environmental education and community action. In total, the program engaged 35 volunteers directly. Evaluation results were highly encouraging, with: 91% of participants rating the program structure as excellent, 82% satisfied with the provided facilities, and 100% acknowledging that the information on marine debris was delivered effectively.
By combining education, hands-on involvement, and data-driven action, Our ConservaSea’s initiative in Manokwari offers a model of how youth-led, community-based solutions can contribute meaningfully to the global fight against marine pollution. The health of our oceans depends not just on policy, but on collective participation and every action, no matter how small, brings us closer to a cleaner, healthier ocean for future generations.