In Malang,
coral repopulation is key, Dyah Ayu Pitaloka writes
Jakarta Globe, Dyah Ayu Pitaloka, November 10, 2013
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| Sahabat Alam has teamed up with local fishing communities to help repopulate coral reefs. (JG Photo/Dyah Ayu Pitaloka) |
A group of
volunteers, some still in their teens, walked up to the shoreline of Kondang
Merak beach in Malang district, East Java.
Slowly they
rolled up their jeans as small waves pounded their feet. They were each
carrying pieces of coral that had been carefully attached to prefabricated wire
mesh bearing the volunteers’ names.
The
volunteers “donated between Rp 10,000 and Rp 50,000 ($0.88 to $4.40) each for
this coral reef repopulation effort. Though there are also those who cannot
afford to donate money but are able to give their time and power to plant coral
reefs,” Andi Syaifudin said.
Andi is the
chairman of Sahabat Alam (Nature’s Friend), which focuses on coral reef,
mangrove and sea-turtle conservation around Kondang Merak beach.
The
5-square-kilometer area, located 62 kilometers south of Malang city, was once
famous for being one of the most beautiful snorkeling and diving spots off the
southern coast of Java.
“We fell in
love with Kondang Merak because of its beautiful coral reefs and pristine white
sands,” he said.
But since
early 2000 the use of fish bombs and cyanide by local fishermen has contributed
to the destruction of 80 percent of the local coral population.
With the
reefs destroyed, residents in the area have lost their livelihoods, not only
from dwindling fish populations but also from the declining number of divers
visiting Kondang Merak’s five diving spots.
“Around
five to 10 years ago we were able to get 50 kilograms of lobster each time we
sailed out to sea,” local fisherman Edi said, adding that he could earn between
Rp 400,000 to Rp 750,000 per kilogram.
“Now we
consider ourselves lucky to get just 5 kilograms [of lobster],” he said.
Sahabat
Alam has been teaching local fishing communities about the importance of coral
reefs and how using fish bombs and cyanide in fishing poses a huge threat to
their livelihoods.
“Lobsters
like to hide in coral reefs and now the reefs have been destroyed,” said Edi,
who joined Sahabat Alam’s coral repopulation drive. “Slowly we are realizing
that we need to catch lobsters using techniques that will not harm the coral,
by diving or using nets.”
The Malang
district’s Maritime and Fisheries office noted that there are nine areas in
Malang with critically damaged coral reef systems, including Kondang Merak. In
these areas, coral reefs will disappear unless something is done.
Coral reefs
not only provide a vital food source for the fish but also stop erosion and
tidal waves.
At 10 more
sites in Malang, coral reefs are considered fairly damaged, which means the
reefs will be able to repopulate without human intervention if the damaging activities
stop.
Wahyu
Hidayat, local head of the Marine and Fisheries Agency, said the government has
the necessary funding to repopulate the coral reefs but needs help from groups
like Sahabat Alam for human resources and expertise.
“Any
community willing to do real work will get our support,” he said.
Zainul
Arifin, a Sahabat Alam member, said it is important to engage the local fishing
community in conservation efforts.
Coral grows
between 2 to 3 centimeters a month and needs to spend at least six months in
nursery grounds before it can be planted in open water and survive on its own.
During that period, they need constant care to keep sand and mold from getting
into their pores and inhibiting their growth. That, Zainal said, is
where the fishermen come in.
“A huge
percentage of our donors’ money goes to the fishermen for this monitoring
process. Without the involvement of the local fishing community it will be all
for nothing,” he said.
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