Ocean
In 2007, our Yayasan started a ‘Save our reef’ campaign together with the local fishing collective, as the coral reef in front of our beach was badly damaged and fish stocks were in decline.
Since then, working together with local fishermen and Reef Check Indonesia, we have helped introduce legislative change at the organization, village and the regency level. In 2009, our beach was designated a local marine management area (DPL) and in 2011, we joined hands with 4 villages to form the East Buleleng Marine Conservation Area (KKP) under the Regent.
Today, village-run marine protected areas measure 14.040,83 ha along the whole of the Buleleng, North Bali coast. This collaborative initiative between local villages, NGOs, the Regent, and the Marine Department won the Runner-up Prize at the International Coral Reef Alliance Awards 2014.
Building and Monitoring reefs
In 2009, we installed 27 Hexadomes in front of Pantai to form artificial reefs. These are now shaping up nicely, with new coral growth covering the surfaces, providing homes and breeding grounds for many varieties of fishes. They also work to reduce the force of wave and to combat erosion.
Subsequently, 2 electric reefs (biorock) to accelerate limestone accretion, as well as several rockpiles were installed to encourage natural reef growth.
Today, we sponsor annual reef monitoring activities involving scientists, students, local fishermen, divers and other well-wishers.
Empowering local fishermen
Yayasan together with its partners have supported local fishermen to achieve the following:
16 fishermen collectively run ecologically sensitive dolphin tours, where the dolphins are accompanied but never chased; a percentage of earnings are reserved for marine conservation activities.
7 fishermen from Tejakula have been trained as divers and assist Reef Check in doing underwater surveys. Of these, 5 are fully certified and 2 others will be certified shortly.
2 fishermen have have apprenticed as Dive Guides to Dive Centres at nearby Tulamben, and another 2 will follow. Funding has been secured to start a small dive centre in Tejakula next year.
A patrol team has been formed to educate the public, to protect the reefs and guard against encroachment and cyanide bombing.
The Baruna Bhrata fishing collective has been supported to prepare proposals and financial reports for the government and other donors, and has won an important grant to install an electric reef in Tejakula.
A proposal is underway for more research and conservation activities in Tejakula, which is not only home to turtle nesting grounds, but is also a dolphin breeding, sleeping and foraging ground.
Environmental Education and Regular clean-ups
Schoolchildren and teachers from 4 schools have been educated on the environment via Teacher Conservation workshops, school conservation clubs, and environmental education programs and materials.
Together with schoolchildren, village authorities, local and international volunteers, we regularly conduct beach and reef clean-ups, removing plastic from corals and more.