Bali's pristine coral reefs under threat

Pariama Hutasoit, Contributor, Jembrana, West Bali

Bali Barat National Park is known as a home to thousands of varieties of flora and fauna, some are endangered and protected. But the park located between Jembrana and Buleleng regencies in northwest Bali also boasts beautiful coral reefs.

Most of visitors -- around 80 percent -- come for the park's famous reefs.

"Visitors from Japan, the United States and European countries prefer to dive and to explore the underwater world," explained the park's head, Soedirun Dartosoewarno. He added that other tourists came to do outdoor activities like trekking or birdwatching.

The park covers more than 19,002 hectares comprising of 15,588 hectares of forested area and 3,415 hectares of marine area including a mangrove forest and the coral reef. The park's coral reef covers areas from Gilimanuk, Terima and Banyuwedang bays.

In l998, there were an estimated 110 coral species of 18 families including mushroom coral in the area.

The condition of coral reefs and underwater life in the national park has been facing serious threats from both natural and human factors.

"Illegal logging, fish bombing and trawling have been destroying the coral reef ecosystem here," he added.

Marc Swaelens, director of Pro Dive, noted another factor, a lack of discipline among divers for threatening the coral reef's existence. He said they have already implemented international diving procedures and standards for divers.

"There are no other diving standards applied here and in many other diving centers in Bali," said Swaelens.

Many times, he said, diving operators allowed their guests to walk on the reefs and even to take bits of coral away.

"In the Caribbean, divers are strictly required to follow regulations and to protect coral reefs," Swaelens added.

Nina Dwisasanti from WWF Wallacea said that fishermen as well as big ships also contributed to the destruction of the coral reefs.

"Ship's anchors frequently hit the coral reefs and cause serious damages," Nina said.

Soedirun said the Bali Barat National Park's management has set up five "mooring buoys".

"The number of mooring buoys is actually inadequate. But it is very costly to build another one," Soedirun said. He added he's expecting technical and financial assistance from the local tourist agency to deal with the problems.

He pointed out that both government and private sectors have benefited from the national park, therefore, it's hoped they would work together to properly support and protect the security of the national park along its coastal areas.

A number of strategies have been enforced to protect the coral reefs, among others, through the "Friends of the Reefs" program, which was started in November 2000.

The program involves provincial government, local authorities and WWF Wallacea. It is also supported by all stakeholders in the park's nearby areas such as customary village banjar, local communities, diving operators, hotels, resorts and related parties.

"The preservation of the reef is our responsibility. It requires a strong commitment from the involved parties to ensure the sustainability of our marine assets," Soedirun said.

WWF Wallacea, for instance, has become an effective facilitator to protect and monitor coral reefs along Menjangan island which is part of the Bali Barat park.

Several other activities such as training for journalists, operational training for marine experts, open houses, workshops and the enforcement of a Code of Conduct (CoC) to monitor and to preserve the coral reefs in the park might help in preventing further destruction of the coral reef.