Trawangan Dive & The Biorock Team Indonesia - A Sharks Favourite Restaurant

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.

If you’re looking to get involved with our Biorock projects check out www.trawangandive.com or simply email us on info@trawangandive.com