What started as a wild idea to build a resort in one of the most remote corners of Indonesia has become one of the world’s leading examples of grassroots conservation in action. Misool Resort, founded by a team of conservationists, divers, and local community members, is now at the center of a marine conservation success story that continues to inspire.
The waters around Misool, once threatened by rampant shark finning, are now thriving. Since 2012, shark numbers inside the Misool Marine Reserve have increased by an incredible 190%. Blacktip reef sharks now glide through the North Lagoon, which has become a bustling nursery, and adult sharks are seen on nearly every dive.
The best part? That’s not all. Fish biomass across the reefs within the No-Take Zones has surged by 250%, proving that with protection, nature rebounds fast and strong.
Thanks to the tireless efforts of the Misool Ranger Patrol and the conservation interventions led by the Misool Foundation and partners, the 300,000-acre reserve is so well protected that it was chosen as the first release site for a groundbreaking global shark rewilding project by ReShark. So far, seven endangered leopard sharks have been reintroduced into the wild, with more on the way.
This work wouldn’t be possible without the extraordinary community that built and continues to support Misool, from the travelers who journey days to reach the reef, to the locals who protect it. Whether they came to end shark finning, create jobs, or protect what they love, their efforts have created something truly powerful: a model where business and conservation work hand in hand. To Wildlife Conservation Network supporters helping Misool thrive, you’re not just donors, you’re changemakers. Thank you for proving that this mission works.