Bali's pristine coral reefs under threat<\/p>\n
Pariama Hutasoit, Contributor, Jembrana, West Bali<\/p>\n
Bali Barat National Park is known as a home to thousands of
\nvarieties of flora and fauna, some are endangered and protected.
\nBut the park located between Jembrana and Buleleng regencies in
\nnorthwest Bali also boasts beautiful coral reefs.<\/p>\n
Most of visitors -- around 80 percent -- come for the park's
\nfamous reefs.<\/p>\n
\"Visitors from Japan, the United States and European countries
\nprefer to dive and to explore the underwater world,\" explained
\nthe park's head, Soedirun Dartosoewarno. He added that other
\ntourists came to do outdoor activities like trekking or
\nbirdwatching.<\/p>\n
The park covers more than 19,002 hectares comprising of 15,588
\nhectares of forested area and 3,415 hectares of marine area
\nincluding a mangrove forest and the coral reef. The park's coral
\nreef covers areas from Gilimanuk, Terima and Banyuwedang bays.<\/p>\n
In l998, there were an estimated 110 coral species of 18
\nfamilies including mushroom coral in the area.<\/p>\n
The condition of coral reefs and underwater life in the
\nnational park has been facing serious threats from both natural
\nand human factors.<\/p>\n
\"Illegal logging, fish bombing and trawling have been
\ndestroying the coral reef ecosystem here,\" he added.<\/p>\n
Marc Swaelens, director of Pro Dive, noted another factor, a
\nlack of discipline among divers for threatening the coral reef's
\nexistence. He said they have already implemented international
\ndiving procedures and standards for divers.<\/p>\n
\"There are no other diving standards applied here and in many
\nother diving centers in Bali,\" said Swaelens.<\/p>\n
Many times, he said, diving operators allowed their guests to
\nwalk on the reefs and even to take bits of coral away.<\/p>\n
\"In the Caribbean, divers are strictly required to follow
\nregulations and to protect coral reefs,\" Swaelens added.<\/p>\n
Nina Dwisasanti from WWF Wallacea said that fishermen as well
\nas big ships also contributed to the destruction of the coral
\nreefs.<\/p>\n
\"Ship's anchors frequently hit the coral reefs and cause
\nserious damages,\" Nina said.<\/p>\n
Soedirun said the Bali Barat National Park's management has
\nset up five \"mooring buoys\".<\/p>\n
\"The number of mooring buoys is actually inadequate. But it is
\nvery costly to build another one,\" Soedirun said. He added he's
\nexpecting technical and financial assistance from the local
\ntourist agency to deal with the problems.<\/p>\n
He pointed out that both government and private sectors have
\nbenefited from the national park, therefore, it's hoped they
\nwould work together to properly support and protect the security
\nof the national park along its coastal areas.<\/p>\n
A number of strategies have been enforced to protect the coral
\nreefs, among others, through the \"Friends of the Reefs\" program,
\nwhich was started in November 2000.<\/p>\n
The program involves provincial government, local authorities
\nand WWF Wallacea. It is also supported by all stakeholders in the
\npark's nearby areas such as customary village banjar, local
\ncommunities, diving operators, hotels, resorts and related
\nparties.<\/p>\n
\"The preservation of the reef is our responsibility. It
\nrequires a strong commitment from the involved parties to ensure
\nthe sustainability of our marine assets,\" Soedirun said.<\/p>\n
WWF Wallacea, for instance, has become an effective
\nfacilitator to protect and monitor coral reefs along Menjangan
\nisland which is part of the Bali Barat park.<\/p>\n
Several other activities such as training for journalists,
\noperational training for marine experts, open houses, workshops
\nand the enforcement of a Code of Conduct (CoC) to monitor and to
\npreserve the coral reefs in the park might help in preventing
\nfurther destruction of the coral reef.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/balis-pristine-coral-reefs-under-threat-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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