Here at Trawangan Dive Indonesia we have
noticed the worldwide decline in shark populations and as a result are keen to
do anything that would help to protect these magnificent species. As a 100%
Project AWARE Partner we will continue with our regular fundraising campaigns
and events to raise both awareness and the necessary finances needed to fund
local projects.
Another way of protecting sharks is to
protect and encourage the growth of the entire food chain below the shark. The
Biorock structures do not only provide a perfectly adequate spot for sharks to
rest and shelter themselves from turbulent currents as they cruise the
coastline, they also provide a flourishing community of reef fish which are the
top item on a reef sharks shopping list. As the Biorock grows a more extensive
coral reef formation it becomes the perfect habit for squid, octopuses,
cuttlefish, shrimp, crabs, and sea snakes which actually make a perfect side
order for any reef shark meal.
Being a Coral Reef Restoration Centre
Trawangan Dive run regular coral reef restoration courses in conjunction with
Biorock Indonesia. The basic process of Biorock is to apply a low voltage
current stimulating the growth and development of solid limestone structures
and accelerating the growth of coral. This in turn provides the perfect habitat
for reef fish and provides additional protection to our coastlines.
So it could be said that the Biorock system
is an extremely effective method to stimulate the whole eco system in a natural
and sustainable manor without adding or removing any of its core elements and
thus preserving the symbiotic nature of the entire habitat. Therefore the
benefits of this flourishing habitat would be directed mainly at those at the
top of the food chain and therefore can only assist in the quest to repopulate
the local shark community.
The Biorock success relies solely on keen
and willing volunteers who spend their time helping to create something that
benefits the marine environment without upsetting its ecological food chain balance.
Trawangan Dive and the Biorock Team run an extensive range of programs and activities
which allows volunteers to get involved.
Listed are just a few of the Trawangan
Dive Biorock options available.
Introduction
to reef gardening
·
Learn how to identify broken,
overturned live corals that, with our help can have a second chance of
survival.
·
Learn how to safely manoeuvre
heavy corals and to find a suitable substrate to transplant them onto for the
coral to attach to once it is overturned and secured.
·
Gain reef conservation skills
you can take with you anywhere around the world
Dives includes all equipment including
protective gloves and specific briefings on the identification of corals and
the current situation regarding the reef structures around the Gili Islands.
Dive
Against Debris
·
Equipped with protective gloves
and a mesh debris bag, divers will go out in buddy teams to different reefs
collecting as much non organic waste as possible.
·
Debris is separated, weighed,
identified and recorded on to debris data sheets which will be submitted to The
Project AWARE Foundation.
Dives include protective gloves, mesh bags,
specific briefings, Dive Against Debris ID guide and the necessary data sheets
to analyse collected debris.
Biorock
Fun dive
·
Learn what a Biorock is, whilst
also diving around the world’s largest concentration of Biorock reef
structures.
·
Briefing includes the basics of
what a Biorock is and how important this technology is for the expanding Gili
islands tourism industry, its fish populations and the surrounding coral reefs.
·
Help our volunteers’ check the
structures are adequately fixed and harbouring the correct corals.
·
Visit our Deus Biorock which
includes a Deus motorcycle as part of the structure.
The dive includes short briefing on the
Biorock technology, how long our Biorocks have been established and the age and
condition of each Biorock. Divers can also choose between a south Trawangan
Biorock dive and a North Biorock.
Introduction
to the Biorock Process, 1 or 2 day PADI speciality
·
Learn about coral ecology and
the importance of coral reefs in the marine environment. The course raises
awareness to the condition of coral reefs globally as well as the need for
awareness and responsible behaviour to protect remaining healthy reefs.
·
Divers will also be introduced
to the Biorock process and technology and why it is so successful.
·
Take part in training to
identify damaged coral reefs, the causes of destruction and the use of Biorock
technology for restoration and erosion prevention.
·
Learn how a Biorock works and
why they are more successful than other reef restoration techniques. Divers will
also gain an insight into how our Biorock structures assist in preventing
coastal erosion and promote eco-tourism.
·
Gain a PADI Distinctive
Speciality certification
The course includes 2 dives, at least one
around the Biorock structures. The divers will learn to identify species of
coral and the status of the corals on the reefs and compare it to that on the
Biorock structures. You will also learn how to recognize coral bleaching,
disease and degradation with underwater identification slates, whilst also gaining
a PADI speciality certification.
The
Dorsal Effect is a Lombok based ecotourism and leisure travel company that aims
to promote shark conservation through alternative livelihood for the fishermen.
Their vision is to provide future generations with a chance to see sharks alive
in the oceans, rather than only through picture books. Protecting the apex
predators like sharks also helps maintain the marine ecosystem that provides
vital services like oxygen generation. Ultimately, this helps the human species
by keeping the balances in the earth’s ecosystems.
The
project aims to promote shark conservation and sustainable livelihood for shark
fishermen through alternative livelihood generated by ecotourism and
educational awareness. The general aim of the project is to organize day
excursions to be taken on a boat
expedition run by once shark fishermen, off the shores of Tanjung Luar to
Sumbawa and Gili Trawangan.
