The project Biorock: coral reef restoration in Pemuteran

The project Biorock: coral reef restoration in Pemuteran -

 

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One of the biggest problems in modern Indonesia is the deterioration of coastal coral reefs, due to many factors such as coastal erosion, illegal bombing or cyanide fishing, chemical pollution and so on. All these factors combined, especially over the last 20 years, have destroyed many reefs and coral areas around Indonesia and other Indo-Pacific countries.

In many dive sites around the world, local villagers or conservation organizations have tried to develop coral restoration projects, using various techniques, normally with the creation of nurseries coral or underwater structures acting as a fish refuge and substrate for coral colonization. These projects are important for the future, but they have a major problem :. They are very slow and it is difficult to see the results in a short time, because the corals need years to develop

There

few years, two scientists (Prof. Wolf H . Hilbertz, died in 2007, and Dr. Thomas Goreau, president of the Coral Reef Alliance) have discovered a technology called "electric mineral accretion." Basically, a low voltage current in sea water causing minerals to crystallize and form structures similar to limestone, where coral larvae can deposit and grow dissolved. Moreover, it appears that this low voltage can stimulate the deposition of carbonate by corals increases their growth rate.

This technology was developed and adapted to coastal environments, where it is possible to use photovoltaic arrays, or devices using waves or wind generators to create a system of self- using sustainable green energy to stimulate coral recovery. This technology applied to coral reefs is called "Biorock" and one of the most impressive examples of its success is easily observable under a few meters of water in front of the village of Pemuteran, north of Bali.

The Biorock Pemuteran project began in 2000 with the formation of the Karang Lestari Foundation and small investments of local hotels and dive operators, in order to rebuild local coral reefs that were heavily bombed and destroyed in previous years. In the following years, many workshops have been organized by scientists in Bali and even in other parts of Indonesia, in order to create a network of projects Biorock. Up to six Biorock projects are currently operational in Indonesia, with Pemuteran and Gili Trawangan (Lombok) being the largest.

In Pemuteran, after only a few years since the first structure was installed, the results are amazing. Corals grow quickly and healthily, fish life is abundant, invertebrates such as crabs, sea slugs and shrimp are plentiful and any shelter occupant inside the Biorock. Some local dive guides and instructors are working hard to secure new funding of tourists and create new structures. It is an artistic way of regeneration of corals in formations such as metal crabs, nudibranchs, a goddess of the sea and even old bikes. The Biorock Pemuteran project in 2012 was awarded the Equator Prize from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to be the biggest, longest race in the world and the best project for the restoration of coral reefs. The Karang Lestari Foundation plans to implement this technology in other areas of Bali such as Lovina and Karangasem.

Komang Astika, diving instructor and native of Pemuteran, is a member of the Karang Lestari Foundation. "I started volunteering in 2000, when I was very young because I believe that our whole community depends on the health of coral reefs. Since 2007, I became a full member of the project Biorock ".

Tourists and Diving in Pemuteran can contribute with their donations. The money is used to create new metal structures, and donors can have their name molded into the metal. "During high season, more than 50 tourists a day visit Biorock both diving or snorkeling," said Komang, "and they can do more - with only 5 million Rupiah they can sponsor an entire structure , with 350,000 Rupiah or they can sponsor a baby coral that will be installed in one of the new structures. "Komang and the other members of Biorock staff will ensure that the coral will grow and they will send each donor a certificate as well Reef pictures and each subsequent year structure.

How dive / snorkel in the area Pemuteran Biorock

Pemuteran is located in the northeast of Bali's Buleleng Regency. Surrounded by a stunning landscape, with Tiga Saudara (three siblings) mountains to its back and driveway in front of Java volcano, it is relatively new tourist destination, but still far from the South agitation, because it takes about four hours to get there from Denpasar.

The Biorock is located just in front of the Hotel Taman Sari and is freely accessible from the beach. Even if only the dive, it is possible to appreciate the amazing coral life, but diving is the best way to enjoy the experience. There is a dive, entry-shore very easy, with a maximum depth of about 15 meters, open to divers of all levels and experience. All diving centers in the region can organize this dive -. Make sure they support the Karang Lestari project somehow

The Karang Lestari

Foundation

If you want more information about the project or Biorock be informed about their latest transactions, visit biorockbali.webs.com the website or their office located exactly on the beach in Pemuteran, between Pondok Sari Hotel and Taman Sari Resort.

 

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