Indonesia, which comprises the world’s largest archipelago, is an important habitat and eco-balancing center for the marine life, including coral. It processes the richest assortment of coral species in the world, from fringes and barrier reefs to atolls and patch reefs. Estimates are that Indonesia’s reefs cover 85,700 square kilometers, constituting 14 percent of the world’s coral reefs. And some of then…. can be found in Bali.
An area of shallow coral reef in Bali can be found in the West Bali National Park. It is easily accessible, a calm area free of strong currents and waves that affect most other parts of the island. The spectacular coral reef growth near the land makes for a diving and snorkeling paradise. Because the area is far from the island’s main tourism centers in the south, it is quiet and unspoiled.
People in the West Bali live from the sea. More than 70% of the population goes to sea to catch fish for their daily consumption and look for exotic fish to sell, which are of a high export value. In hopes for better results, they prefer the use of potassium cyanide fishing, which unfortunately has very negative impacts leading up to coral bleaching.
Coral reefs are very fragile and sensitive ecosystem. They are extremely important for biodiversity, providing a home to over 25% of all marine life. They also provide nurseries for many species of commercially important fish, protection of coastal areas from storm waves, and are a significant attraction for the tourism industry.
When people use potassium to “anesthetize” the fish, the algae that contributes to the color of the coral dies. Without the algae the coral has no color, and the white of the limestone shell shines through the transparent coral bodies.
In the middle of 2002, the local community and private sector united themselves as a co-management body called the Communication Forum of Coastal Concerned Society or Forum Komunikasi Masyarakat Peduli Pesisir (FKMPP) for the West Bali National Park. FKMMP was formed in response to the many quarrels happening between the fishermen, the local community, and the elements of the tourism industry and environment organizations concerned with national park conservation.
They chose planting seaweed as a way to increase the local economy. After some up and downs in the business, the found this way the most effective.
Daeng Hayak, 70-year-old man in the Sumber Kima village gained high profits from seaweed. He started off in 2003 and received around Rp.6 million in 2005 from Kafaphicus Alvarezi, a seaweed strand from Maumere, East Nusa Tenggara. He success raised peoples enthusiasm for planting seaweed.
While the men focus on the seaweed planting, the women take part in processing it into snacks. They make seaweed chips, cakes, seaweed gelatins, and also forth. This business became viable and an effective solution for local people’s economy.
Now, 15 hectares of the costal area of Sumber Kima and Pajarakan villge are covered by seaweed. Ecomic increase is one big result, and the coral reef conservation is another. Now the local community conducts daily patrols in West Bali National Park’s waters. Sometimes Javanese and Madurese come to hunt for aquarium fish in this area, and they are welcome as long as they abide by the local rules and do not use potassium or other harmful substances in this efforts.
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