Ni Made Pande received a standing ovation from the audience after delivering an inspiring and eloquent speech on the importance of preserving coral reefs at a speech contest held to commemorate Earth Day.
Pande spoke about the coral reefs in Nusa Penida waters, in Klungkung regency, some 25 kilometers east of Denpasar or an hour of boat ride.
"If we throw rubbish into the sea and fish destructively, our underwater lives will be in danger," she told the audience with an emotional tone.
"Will we let our future generation become parasites, begging people for jobs?"
Pande was one of the participants in a speech contest for senior high school students jointly organized by The Nature Conservancy-Coral Triangle Center (TNC-CTC) and Satya Posana Nusa (SPN).
The event was held in conjunction with the commemoration of Earth Day in Nusa Lembongan islet on Wednesday.
A heaven for divers, the 1,800 hectare Nusa Penida area encompasses three islets - Nusa Lembongan, Nusa Ceningan and Nusa Penida.
It is home to nearly 250 rare species of coral and more than 550 species of reef fish.
The TNC is currently working on a project aimed at conserving the marine area around the islets.
Kasriyati, a participant from SMA 1 Nusa Penida High School emphasized the need to establish a marine conservation area and criticized the poor management of marine and underwater tourism around the three islets of Nusa Penida.
"We need to improve inefficient management of the current marine tourism activities," she said.
"There are too many boats operating in the islets. Their anchors often knock the coral reefs and seriously damaged them."
The speech indeed worked well to arouse the awareness of school students of the importance of marine conservation efforts in an attempt to maintain the marine ecosystem of Nusa Penida.
The teenage audience looked attentive as they listened to the participants.
Some 100 students from elementary to high schools gathered in the Nusa Lembongan in the morning to participate in a beach cleaning campaign, as part the Earth Day commemorative program.
They were later divided into two groups to enjoy underwater scenery aboard a submarine boat and a from a wide pontoon with glass sides, courtesy of Bali Hai Cruises.
After looking patiently, the elementary school students happily clapped and whistled upon seeing a group of small fish with yellow and black strips swim gracefully across the glass window.
It did not take long before they hurriedly jumped from one window to the other every time someone shouted about seeing an interesting species, such as Porites coral.
"This is my first experience *looking underwater* and I am so happy!" nine-year-old student Nur Jaya Ardiana said.
Although the students live on Nusa Penida, they are rarely exposed to the beauty of its underwater life. The trip was a luxury for many of them, who cannot afford the price of a retail ticket.
Ayu Kusuma, 16, said she was lucky she could join the trip because her father never let her dive to see the area's coral reef or famous Mola-mola fish.
Renata Chandler, the wife of the owner of Bali Hai Cruises, said she was so glad being part of the Earth Day program.
"It was part of the company's platform to give back to the community," she said buoyantly.
source : http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2009/04/23/underwater-earth-day-students.html
Rabu, 06 Mei 2009
Kamis, 26 Februari 2009
Community moves to protect reefs
oleh Indah Setiawati/JP
“If our diving equipment breaks, we can always buy new equipment in shops. But if the precious coral reef is damaged, where do we buy a new one?”
That remark was not made by a political party targeting voters who support the vulnerable marine treasury protection in Bali in the upcoming general election.
Marthen Welly, a professional diver and project leader of a worldwide organization concerned with natural resources conservation, reiterates that message to everyone he meets when he talks about coral reefs and species living in reefs.
He works for the Nature Conservancy-Coral Triangle Center (TNC-CTC), which is working on a project aimed at conserving the marine area in the Nusa Penida islets, which comprise Nusa Lembongan, Nusa Ceningan and Nusa Penida islands.
Known as a paradise destination for tourists who love scuba diving and snorkeling, the islets feature 1,800 hectares of pristine coral reefs made up of 247 protected coral species. The coral reef beds are home to 562 species of reef fishes.
The islands, however, are ill-equipped with regulations to protect the marine resources, and there is a limited budget to preserve the underwater treasury, as tourists only have to pay entrance fees of as little as Rp 1,000.
Marthen said the TNC-CTC proposed the inclusion of three zones, namely the central, the utilization and the marine tourism zones, in the marine conservation area plan.
The central zone will cover areas that have the most breathtaking underwater view and are often visited by the world-famous Mola-mola fish and other types of marine life, including the manta ray and sperm whale.
The utilization zone comprises offshore areas that can be utilized for seaweed farming and fishing; while the marine tourism zone, which also includes the central zone, can be used for water sports activities.
“Separating the zones is important because the activities in the islets are not well-managed now. People can plant seaweed anywhere, or fish in the snorkeling and diving spots,” Marthen said.
He added if such practices continued, they could trigger a horizontal conflict among seaweed farmers, tourism-related businesspeople and fishermen, as each sought out the best locations for their activities.
“We need to conserve the Nusa Penida islets immediately to prevent damage to the coral reefs, but it can’t been done instantly,” he said, adding the program required local residents, the Klungkung administration and the tourism industry to share the same vision the conservation activists proposed.
He said the idea of a marine conservation area itself could somehow give a wrong impression to local residents because they could mistakenly think they would be prohibited from conducting activities in the conserved area.
Marthen said that once the marine conservation area was approved by the local administration in the form of a regent’s decree, it would be run by a collaborative management body.
“The body will consist of representatives from the local residents, the administration, a local NGO and businesspeople. They will run some programs and determine the dos and don’ts in the conservation area,” he said.
“Currently, there are no rules on the maximum number of people who can dive at the same time. Once I saw 20 boats anchored in the same spot.”
Marthen also said the TNC-CTC would run a study to see how much money overseas tourists were prepared to pay to help conserve the marine area each time they visited the islands.
“I’m sure they would be willing to pay, because most divers understand that the coral reef is priceless,” he said.
He added his organization expected it would take five years to set up the project, and said he hoped that by the end of 2012, the collaborative management body would be able to be an independent and financially sustainable institution.
The project aims to endorse the Coral Triangle Initiative (CTI), a program proposed by several countries to halt the degradation of vulnerable coral colonies and conserve threatened marine species in the coral triangle area, which comprised Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Timor Leste, Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands.
The six countries will sign the initiative at the first ever World Ocean Conference (WOC) in Manado, North Sulawesi, in May this year.
source : http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2009/02/26/community-moves-protect-reefs.html
“If our diving equipment breaks, we can always buy new equipment in shops. But if the precious coral reef is damaged, where do we buy a new one?”
That remark was not made by a political party targeting voters who support the vulnerable marine treasury protection in Bali in the upcoming general election.
Marthen Welly, a professional diver and project leader of a worldwide organization concerned with natural resources conservation, reiterates that message to everyone he meets when he talks about coral reefs and species living in reefs.
He works for the Nature Conservancy-Coral Triangle Center (TNC-CTC), which is working on a project aimed at conserving the marine area in the Nusa Penida islets, which comprise Nusa Lembongan, Nusa Ceningan and Nusa Penida islands.
Known as a paradise destination for tourists who love scuba diving and snorkeling, the islets feature 1,800 hectares of pristine coral reefs made up of 247 protected coral species. The coral reef beds are home to 562 species of reef fishes.
The islands, however, are ill-equipped with regulations to protect the marine resources, and there is a limited budget to preserve the underwater treasury, as tourists only have to pay entrance fees of as little as Rp 1,000.
Marthen said the TNC-CTC proposed the inclusion of three zones, namely the central, the utilization and the marine tourism zones, in the marine conservation area plan.
The central zone will cover areas that have the most breathtaking underwater view and are often visited by the world-famous Mola-mola fish and other types of marine life, including the manta ray and sperm whale.
The utilization zone comprises offshore areas that can be utilized for seaweed farming and fishing; while the marine tourism zone, which also includes the central zone, can be used for water sports activities.
“Separating the zones is important because the activities in the islets are not well-managed now. People can plant seaweed anywhere, or fish in the snorkeling and diving spots,” Marthen said.
He added if such practices continued, they could trigger a horizontal conflict among seaweed farmers, tourism-related businesspeople and fishermen, as each sought out the best locations for their activities.
“We need to conserve the Nusa Penida islets immediately to prevent damage to the coral reefs, but it can’t been done instantly,” he said, adding the program required local residents, the Klungkung administration and the tourism industry to share the same vision the conservation activists proposed.
He said the idea of a marine conservation area itself could somehow give a wrong impression to local residents because they could mistakenly think they would be prohibited from conducting activities in the conserved area.
Marthen said that once the marine conservation area was approved by the local administration in the form of a regent’s decree, it would be run by a collaborative management body.
“The body will consist of representatives from the local residents, the administration, a local NGO and businesspeople. They will run some programs and determine the dos and don’ts in the conservation area,” he said.
“Currently, there are no rules on the maximum number of people who can dive at the same time. Once I saw 20 boats anchored in the same spot.”
Marthen also said the TNC-CTC would run a study to see how much money overseas tourists were prepared to pay to help conserve the marine area each time they visited the islands.
“I’m sure they would be willing to pay, because most divers understand that the coral reef is priceless,” he said.
He added his organization expected it would take five years to set up the project, and said he hoped that by the end of 2012, the collaborative management body would be able to be an independent and financially sustainable institution.
The project aims to endorse the Coral Triangle Initiative (CTI), a program proposed by several countries to halt the degradation of vulnerable coral colonies and conserve threatened marine species in the coral triangle area, which comprised Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Timor Leste, Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands.
The six countries will sign the initiative at the first ever World Ocean Conference (WOC) in Manado, North Sulawesi, in May this year.
source : http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2009/02/26/community-moves-protect-reefs.html
Senin, 23 Februari 2009
Residents lack tools to monitor destructive fishing
Indah Setiawati, , The Jakarta Post, , Klungkung Tue, 02/24/2009 12:59 PM Bali
Local fishermen and activists on Nusa Lembongan stated Saturday they do not have the necessary equipment to monitor destructive fishing practices carried out by fishermen from outside the area, placing the tiny island's underwater treasures in constant danger.
Suarbawa, a local resident, said many fishermen from outside the island were regularly seen anchoring their boats some 500 meters off the beach.
He said the residents could not check whether they were using hazardous chemicals or explosive material to fish in the protected reef area because they did not have sufficient boats.
"We have to borrow local fisherman's boats to give chase, but we often lose them as they usually have more powerful boats," said the member of Satya Posana Nusa, a local NGO focusing on environmental conservation.
Lembongan village chief I Nyoman Murta echoed similar sentiments, saying that residents intent on checking the suspicious boats would have to help pay for the fuel of the borrowed boats.
Suarbawa said the lack of necessary equipment had forced them to check suspicious boats when it was already too late, only after local fishermen had reported damage to the coral or a sudden fish scarcity following the presence of the suspect boats.
"It seems there is causality between the two things. When the boats anchor frequently and for a long time, the local fishermen, who use traditional fishing techniques, notice that their catch decreases significantly," he said.
He said the residents had managed to chase the boats, but it was difficult to get hard evidence because the perpetrators simply threw dangerous substances like potassium into the sea.
"Moreover, the explosives they use are getting more sophisticated today; they now make quiet explosions under the sea using a certain tool that can be left underwater," Suarbawa said.
He hoped there would be more serious mechanisms to handle these destructive fishing practices in the future.
Abdul Halim, a program manager for the Nature Conservancy - Coral Triangle Center (TNC-CTC), a global conservation organization working on Nusa Penida, said stricter law enforcement measures were needed to stop these dangerous practices.
"Such fishing methods can inflict severe damage on the protected coral reef and fish and cause negative economic impacts on the locals," he said on the sidelines of the launch of the Community Center in Nusa Lembongan.
The center aims to accomodate various activities related to Nusa Penida marine conservation.
Nusa Penida islets comprise Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan. Located some 11 kilometers southeast of Bali, the islands are home to some 1,800 hectares of 247 protected species of coral reef and 562 species of reef fish.
The area is included in the Coral Triangle Initiative (CTI) program that is aimed at halting the degradation of coral colonies and conserving vulnerable marine species from the impacts of global warming.
Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Timor Leste, Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands will sign the initiative at the first ever World Ocean Conference (WOC) in Manado, North Sulawesi, in May this year.
source : http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2009/02/24/residents-lack-tools-monitor-destructive-fishing.html
Local fishermen and activists on Nusa Lembongan stated Saturday they do not have the necessary equipment to monitor destructive fishing practices carried out by fishermen from outside the area, placing the tiny island's underwater treasures in constant danger.
Suarbawa, a local resident, said many fishermen from outside the island were regularly seen anchoring their boats some 500 meters off the beach.
He said the residents could not check whether they were using hazardous chemicals or explosive material to fish in the protected reef area because they did not have sufficient boats.
"We have to borrow local fisherman's boats to give chase, but we often lose them as they usually have more powerful boats," said the member of Satya Posana Nusa, a local NGO focusing on environmental conservation.
Lembongan village chief I Nyoman Murta echoed similar sentiments, saying that residents intent on checking the suspicious boats would have to help pay for the fuel of the borrowed boats.
Suarbawa said the lack of necessary equipment had forced them to check suspicious boats when it was already too late, only after local fishermen had reported damage to the coral or a sudden fish scarcity following the presence of the suspect boats.
"It seems there is causality between the two things. When the boats anchor frequently and for a long time, the local fishermen, who use traditional fishing techniques, notice that their catch decreases significantly," he said.
He said the residents had managed to chase the boats, but it was difficult to get hard evidence because the perpetrators simply threw dangerous substances like potassium into the sea.
"Moreover, the explosives they use are getting more sophisticated today; they now make quiet explosions under the sea using a certain tool that can be left underwater," Suarbawa said.
He hoped there would be more serious mechanisms to handle these destructive fishing practices in the future.
Abdul Halim, a program manager for the Nature Conservancy - Coral Triangle Center (TNC-CTC), a global conservation organization working on Nusa Penida, said stricter law enforcement measures were needed to stop these dangerous practices.
"Such fishing methods can inflict severe damage on the protected coral reef and fish and cause negative economic impacts on the locals," he said on the sidelines of the launch of the Community Center in Nusa Lembongan.
The center aims to accomodate various activities related to Nusa Penida marine conservation.
Nusa Penida islets comprise Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan. Located some 11 kilometers southeast of Bali, the islands are home to some 1,800 hectares of 247 protected species of coral reef and 562 species of reef fish.
The area is included in the Coral Triangle Initiative (CTI) program that is aimed at halting the degradation of coral colonies and conserving vulnerable marine species from the impacts of global warming.
Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Timor Leste, Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands will sign the initiative at the first ever World Ocean Conference (WOC) in Manado, North Sulawesi, in May this year.
source : http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2009/02/24/residents-lack-tools-monitor-destructive-fishing.html
Minggu, 22 Februari 2009
Nusa Penida Community Center
Nusa Penida, 21 Februari 2009 – Masyarakat Nusa Lembongan yang tergabung dalam Satya Posana Nusa, difasilitasi oleh The Nature Conservancy – Coral Triangle Center (TNC-CTC) membuka Community Center (Pusat Kegiatan Masyarakat) di Nusa Lembongan. Berbagai kegiatan yang akan dilakukan masyarakat di Community Center ini diantaranya adalah berbagai pelatihan, pertemuan, diskusi, lokakarya dan konsultasi terkait pelestarian ekosistem pesisir dan laut di kecamatan Nusa Penida.
Direktur Program Segitiga Terumbu Karang TNC-CTC, Rili Djohani, dalam acara peluncuran mengatakan, “Bagi TNC-CTC, pembentukan Community Center ini adalah bagian dari upaya TNC dalam meningkatkan kapasitas lokal agar bisa secara aktif mengambil inisiatif dan peran dalam upaya-upaya perlindungan dan konservasi laut di pulau mereka sendiri.” Lebih lanjut Rili Djohani menjelaskan “pendekatan kolaboratif dan partisipatif inilah yang didorong dalam rangka kemitraan antara TNC-CTC dengan pemerintah Indonesia untuk melindungi terumbu karang dan biota laut penting lainnya di kawasan Segitiga Terumbu Karang (Coral Triangle) yang meliputi Indonesia, Filipina, Malaysia, Timor Leste, Papua Nugini dan Kepulauan Solomon.”
Saat ini, TNC-CTC bekerja di Nusa Penida bersama masyarakat setempat, pemerintah Kabupaten Klungkung dan mitra lainnya untuk memfasilitasi pembentukan dan pengelolaan Kawasan Konservasi Laut (KKL) Nusa Penida yang akan memiliki luas sekitar 10,000 hektar. KKL itu nantinya akan memiliki beberapa wilayah peruntukan (zona) yang diantaranya adalah zona perlindungan untuk kelestarian terumbu karang dan tempat berkembangbiak biota laut penting seperti jenis ikan bernilai ekonomi tinggi, mola mola and pari manta. KKL ini juga akan memiliki zona pemanfaatan, baik untuk budidaya rumput laut, parwisata bahari dan perikanan tangkap.
Project Leader TNC-CTC untuk Nusa Penida, Marthen Welly mengatakan, “tujuan utama dari pembentukan KKL Nusa Penida ini adalah pelestarian keanekaragaman hayati laut untuk keberlangsungan sumber matapencaharian masyarakat. Hasil yang akan didapat adalah keselarasan antara pelestarian keanekaragaman biota laut dan terumbu karang dengan ketahanan pangan dan penghidupan yang bersumber dari laut, untuk jangka waktu yang panjang.”
Tokoh masyarakat Nusa Penida yang tergabung dalam Satya Posana Nusa dan ikut aktif dalam seluruh upaya pelestarian dan perlindungan laut Nusa Penida, I Wayan Suarbawa mengatakan, “Community Center ini akan menjadi pusat berbagai kegiatan masyarakat untuk meningkatkan pengetahuan dan ketrampilan dalam pelestarian keanekaragaman hayati laut di Nusa Penida.” “Kalau bukan kami sendiri warga Nusa Penida yang menjaga kekayaan laut pulau kami, lalu siapa lagi?” demikian Suarbawa menambahkan.
Secara geografis, Nusa Penida adalah kecamatan yang terdiri dari tiga pulau, yaitu Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan, dan Nusa Ceningan, terletak di bagian selatan kawasan Coral Triangle. Kecamatan yang berjarak 45 menit perjalanan dari Sanur menggunakan speedboat ini memiliki luas total daratan 20.000 hektar dan sekitar 44 ribu penduduk yang tersebar di 16 desa, dengan sumber penghasilan utama budidaya rumput laut dan pariwisata bahari.
Perairan Nusa Penida memiliki 230 hektar area hutan bakau, 1.800 hektar terumbu karang, dan perairannya terkenal dengan Mola-Mola, Pari Manta (manta birostris), Penyu Hijau (chelonia mydas), Penyu Sisik (Eretmochelys imbricata), Dugong (dugong dugon), Paus Sperma (physeter catodon), dan beberapa jenis lumba-lumba. Berdasarkan kajian ekologi laut secara cepat terbaru di perairan Nusa Penida dijumpai 247 jenis karang dan 562 jenis ikan. Hal ini menunjukan perairan Nusa Penida memiliki keanekaragaman hayati laut yang cukup tinggi sebagai bagian dari kawasan Coral Triangle.
Pemerintah Republik Indonesia mencanangkan program untuk memperluas kawasan konservasi laut (KKL) di Indonesia menjadi 10 juta hektar pada tahun 2010 dan 20 juta hektar pada tahun 2020. Presiden Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono juga telah mencanangkan Coral Triangle Initiative (CTI) pada tahun 2007 saat APEC di Sydney Australia untuk melestarikan terumbu karang di kawasan Coral Triangle, yang mendapatkan dukungan dari enam negara dalam wilayah tersebut bersama Amerika dan Australia. Seluruh upaya pemerintah Indonesia ini merupakan bagian dari upaya konkrit dalam menyongsong rencana aksi bersama yang akan disahkan oleh seluruh negara yang tergabung dalam World Ocean Conference (WOC) di Manado, Sulawesi Utara, pada Mei 2009 nanti.
Marthen Welly / Project Leader – Nusa Penida
The Nature Conservancy-Coral Triangle Center (TNC-CTC)
Mobile: 08123877089, Email: mwelly@tnc.org
Direktur Program Segitiga Terumbu Karang TNC-CTC, Rili Djohani, dalam acara peluncuran mengatakan, “Bagi TNC-CTC, pembentukan Community Center ini adalah bagian dari upaya TNC dalam meningkatkan kapasitas lokal agar bisa secara aktif mengambil inisiatif dan peran dalam upaya-upaya perlindungan dan konservasi laut di pulau mereka sendiri.” Lebih lanjut Rili Djohani menjelaskan “pendekatan kolaboratif dan partisipatif inilah yang didorong dalam rangka kemitraan antara TNC-CTC dengan pemerintah Indonesia untuk melindungi terumbu karang dan biota laut penting lainnya di kawasan Segitiga Terumbu Karang (Coral Triangle) yang meliputi Indonesia, Filipina, Malaysia, Timor Leste, Papua Nugini dan Kepulauan Solomon.”
Saat ini, TNC-CTC bekerja di Nusa Penida bersama masyarakat setempat, pemerintah Kabupaten Klungkung dan mitra lainnya untuk memfasilitasi pembentukan dan pengelolaan Kawasan Konservasi Laut (KKL) Nusa Penida yang akan memiliki luas sekitar 10,000 hektar. KKL itu nantinya akan memiliki beberapa wilayah peruntukan (zona) yang diantaranya adalah zona perlindungan untuk kelestarian terumbu karang dan tempat berkembangbiak biota laut penting seperti jenis ikan bernilai ekonomi tinggi, mola mola and pari manta. KKL ini juga akan memiliki zona pemanfaatan, baik untuk budidaya rumput laut, parwisata bahari dan perikanan tangkap.
Project Leader TNC-CTC untuk Nusa Penida, Marthen Welly mengatakan, “tujuan utama dari pembentukan KKL Nusa Penida ini adalah pelestarian keanekaragaman hayati laut untuk keberlangsungan sumber matapencaharian masyarakat. Hasil yang akan didapat adalah keselarasan antara pelestarian keanekaragaman biota laut dan terumbu karang dengan ketahanan pangan dan penghidupan yang bersumber dari laut, untuk jangka waktu yang panjang.”
Tokoh masyarakat Nusa Penida yang tergabung dalam Satya Posana Nusa dan ikut aktif dalam seluruh upaya pelestarian dan perlindungan laut Nusa Penida, I Wayan Suarbawa mengatakan, “Community Center ini akan menjadi pusat berbagai kegiatan masyarakat untuk meningkatkan pengetahuan dan ketrampilan dalam pelestarian keanekaragaman hayati laut di Nusa Penida.” “Kalau bukan kami sendiri warga Nusa Penida yang menjaga kekayaan laut pulau kami, lalu siapa lagi?” demikian Suarbawa menambahkan.
Secara geografis, Nusa Penida adalah kecamatan yang terdiri dari tiga pulau, yaitu Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan, dan Nusa Ceningan, terletak di bagian selatan kawasan Coral Triangle. Kecamatan yang berjarak 45 menit perjalanan dari Sanur menggunakan speedboat ini memiliki luas total daratan 20.000 hektar dan sekitar 44 ribu penduduk yang tersebar di 16 desa, dengan sumber penghasilan utama budidaya rumput laut dan pariwisata bahari.
Perairan Nusa Penida memiliki 230 hektar area hutan bakau, 1.800 hektar terumbu karang, dan perairannya terkenal dengan Mola-Mola, Pari Manta (manta birostris), Penyu Hijau (chelonia mydas), Penyu Sisik (Eretmochelys imbricata), Dugong (dugong dugon), Paus Sperma (physeter catodon), dan beberapa jenis lumba-lumba. Berdasarkan kajian ekologi laut secara cepat terbaru di perairan Nusa Penida dijumpai 247 jenis karang dan 562 jenis ikan. Hal ini menunjukan perairan Nusa Penida memiliki keanekaragaman hayati laut yang cukup tinggi sebagai bagian dari kawasan Coral Triangle.
Pemerintah Republik Indonesia mencanangkan program untuk memperluas kawasan konservasi laut (KKL) di Indonesia menjadi 10 juta hektar pada tahun 2010 dan 20 juta hektar pada tahun 2020. Presiden Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono juga telah mencanangkan Coral Triangle Initiative (CTI) pada tahun 2007 saat APEC di Sydney Australia untuk melestarikan terumbu karang di kawasan Coral Triangle, yang mendapatkan dukungan dari enam negara dalam wilayah tersebut bersama Amerika dan Australia. Seluruh upaya pemerintah Indonesia ini merupakan bagian dari upaya konkrit dalam menyongsong rencana aksi bersama yang akan disahkan oleh seluruh negara yang tergabung dalam World Ocean Conference (WOC) di Manado, Sulawesi Utara, pada Mei 2009 nanti.
Marthen Welly / Project Leader – Nusa Penida
The Nature Conservancy-Coral Triangle Center (TNC-CTC)
Mobile: 08123877089, Email: mwelly@tnc.org
Kamis, 11 Desember 2008
Klungkung Susun Kawasan Konservasi Laut Nusa Penida
Oleh Luh De Suriyani
Pemerintah Kabupaten Klungkung tengah menyusun konsep cetak biru Kawasan Konservasi Laut (KKL) di sekitar perairan Nusa Penida, sebuah pulau di selatan Pulau Bali ini. Jika KKL terwujud, diharapkan mengurangi pencurian ikan, konservasi terumbu karang, peningkatan kualitas wisata bahari, dan pemberdayaan masyarakat setempat.
Hal ini dibahas dalam workshop soal pembentukan KKL oleh sejumlah stakeholder Kabupaten Klungkung, yang mewilayahi Nusa Penida, Rabu (10/9) lalu. Difasilitasi The Nature Conservacy (TNC), NGO yang bergerak di bidang lingkungan, sejumlah pejabat Klungkung dari Dinas Lingkungan Hidup, Badan Pembangunan Daerah (Bapeda), Kecamatan Nusa Penida, dan lainnya menggali potensi Nusa Penida sebagai kawasan konservasi laut.
Selama ini diakui pemerintah daerah, Nusa Penida belum mempunyai konsep pengelolaan perairan yang integral. ”Selama ini kegiatan dilakukan parsial saja. Melihat perkembangan wisata yang makin tinggi dan permasalahan penangkapan ikan berlebihan, maka kawasan konservasi laut sangat penting,” ujar Anak Agung Ngurah Kirana, Kepala Bidang Ekonomi Bapeda Klungkung.
Kawasan Konservasi Laut (KKL) telah terbukti menjadi alat yang efektif untuk perlindungan keragaman hayati laut dan pengelolaan pemanfaatan sumberdaya yang lestari, khususnya untuk perikanan dan pariwisata. Keberhasilan pengelolaan KKL juga berdampak nyata pada peningkatan kunjungan wisata yang berdampak langsung pada perekonomian lokal.
KKL tersusun dari beberapa zona peruntukkan dalam usaha mengakomodasi berbagai tingkatan pemanfaatan sumber daya di setiap zona. Zona larang-ambil (no-take zone), yang masih bisa dimanfaatkan untuk kegiatan pariwisata, memberikan perlindungan yang baik bagi sumbe rdaya ikan dan sangat diperlukan sebagai penyedia sumber ikan bagi daerah penangkapan di sekitarnya.
Zona ini juga memberikan perlindungan terhadap keanekaragaman sumberdaya hayati. Zona lainnya dalam KKL memungkinkan memperbolehkan pengambilan sumberdaya dengan alat yang tidak merusak habitat organisme laut dan melalui perijinan yang diatur dengan prinsip daya dukung sumberdaya.
Perairan Nusa Penida dinilai salah satu contoh lokasi yang sangat unik dan tepat untuk dijadikan Kawasan Konservasi Laut. Nusa Penida terletak pada batas barat-selatan segi-tiga karang dunia (Coral Triangle) yang sering diartikan sebagai pusat keanekaragaman sumber daya hayati laut di bumi.
”Keberadaan ikan mola-mola dan manta merupakan dua jenis keanekaragaman sumber daya hayati unik dan langka yang perlu mendapat penanganan serius. Ikan ini menjadi favorit para penyelam dunia dan sangat sulit dijumpai di perairan lain,” ungkap I Dewa Gede Raka Wiadnya, peneliti lingkungan TNC-Coral Triangle Center.
Sebagian besar pantai Nusa Penida dimanfaatkan sebagai ladang budi daya rumput laut yang pernah menjadi sumber utama mata pencaharian masyarakat setempat. Selain itu, kini Nusa Penida juga berkembang sebagai pusat kegiatan pariwisata pantai dan laut di Bali. Akomodasi dari berbagai kepentingan ini sangat sesuai untuk disatukan dalam bentuk perencanaan Kawasan Konservasi Laut untuk melindungi sumber mata pencaharian masyarakat.
Ancaman kerusakan lingkungan perairan Nusa Penida harus diselamatkan. I Dewa Gede Tegeh Menala, salah seorang tokoh masyarakat setempat mengatakan saat ini banyak kapal besar semacam pukat harimau yang menangkap ikan di perairan Nusa Penida. ”Nelayan kecil seperti saya kalah jauh karena mereka menggunakan jaring yang sangat besar dan ini yang membuat penangkapan ikan berlebihan,” ujarnya.
Akibatnya, menurut Tegeh, sebagian besar nelayan di lima desa daerah pesisir Nusa Penida yang berprofesi sebagai nelayan banyak terlilit hutang pada rentenir. Para rentenir kini mengikat nelayan kecil dengan menyediakan perahu, jaring, sampai bahan bakar perahu. ”Pendapatan nelayan kecil karena harga tangkapan pun diatur rentenir,” tambah Tegeh.
Ia berharap KKL ini segera dapat diwujudkan dengan landasan hukum yang kuat. ”Saya punya cita-cita mengembangkan koperasi nelayan agar bisa terlepas dari rentenir,” pinta warga asal Desa Batununggul, Nusa Penida ini.
Nusa Penida berdekatan dengan dua pulau kecil yakni Nusa Lembongan dan Nusa Ceningan yang juga ramai dikunjungi turis. Banyak kapal pesiar kecil yang memanfaatkan potensi bahari perairan ini seperti Quick Silver, Bali Hai, dan Bounty Cruise. Ironisnya, Nusa Penida masih dianggap daerah miskin dan banyak warganya yang bekerja di luar daerah. Pertanian dan perkebunan setempat hanya mengandalkan tadah hujan karena kesulitan pasokan air.
Dengan dasar hukum UU No. 5/1990, pemerintah Indonesia telah menetapkan dan mengelola luas total KKL mencapai sekitar 5,6 juta ha. Pemerintah melalui Departemen Kelautan dan Perikanan bahkan menyatakan keinginan untuk menambah luas KKL di Indonesia mencapai 10 juta ha pada tahun 2010 dan 20 juta ha pada tahun 2020. [b]
Pemerintah Kabupaten Klungkung tengah menyusun konsep cetak biru Kawasan Konservasi Laut (KKL) di sekitar perairan Nusa Penida, sebuah pulau di selatan Pulau Bali ini. Jika KKL terwujud, diharapkan mengurangi pencurian ikan, konservasi terumbu karang, peningkatan kualitas wisata bahari, dan pemberdayaan masyarakat setempat.
Hal ini dibahas dalam workshop soal pembentukan KKL oleh sejumlah stakeholder Kabupaten Klungkung, yang mewilayahi Nusa Penida, Rabu (10/9) lalu. Difasilitasi The Nature Conservacy (TNC), NGO yang bergerak di bidang lingkungan, sejumlah pejabat Klungkung dari Dinas Lingkungan Hidup, Badan Pembangunan Daerah (Bapeda), Kecamatan Nusa Penida, dan lainnya menggali potensi Nusa Penida sebagai kawasan konservasi laut.
Selama ini diakui pemerintah daerah, Nusa Penida belum mempunyai konsep pengelolaan perairan yang integral. ”Selama ini kegiatan dilakukan parsial saja. Melihat perkembangan wisata yang makin tinggi dan permasalahan penangkapan ikan berlebihan, maka kawasan konservasi laut sangat penting,” ujar Anak Agung Ngurah Kirana, Kepala Bidang Ekonomi Bapeda Klungkung.
Kawasan Konservasi Laut (KKL) telah terbukti menjadi alat yang efektif untuk perlindungan keragaman hayati laut dan pengelolaan pemanfaatan sumberdaya yang lestari, khususnya untuk perikanan dan pariwisata. Keberhasilan pengelolaan KKL juga berdampak nyata pada peningkatan kunjungan wisata yang berdampak langsung pada perekonomian lokal.
KKL tersusun dari beberapa zona peruntukkan dalam usaha mengakomodasi berbagai tingkatan pemanfaatan sumber daya di setiap zona. Zona larang-ambil (no-take zone), yang masih bisa dimanfaatkan untuk kegiatan pariwisata, memberikan perlindungan yang baik bagi sumbe rdaya ikan dan sangat diperlukan sebagai penyedia sumber ikan bagi daerah penangkapan di sekitarnya.
Zona ini juga memberikan perlindungan terhadap keanekaragaman sumberdaya hayati. Zona lainnya dalam KKL memungkinkan memperbolehkan pengambilan sumberdaya dengan alat yang tidak merusak habitat organisme laut dan melalui perijinan yang diatur dengan prinsip daya dukung sumberdaya.
Perairan Nusa Penida dinilai salah satu contoh lokasi yang sangat unik dan tepat untuk dijadikan Kawasan Konservasi Laut. Nusa Penida terletak pada batas barat-selatan segi-tiga karang dunia (Coral Triangle) yang sering diartikan sebagai pusat keanekaragaman sumber daya hayati laut di bumi.
”Keberadaan ikan mola-mola dan manta merupakan dua jenis keanekaragaman sumber daya hayati unik dan langka yang perlu mendapat penanganan serius. Ikan ini menjadi favorit para penyelam dunia dan sangat sulit dijumpai di perairan lain,” ungkap I Dewa Gede Raka Wiadnya, peneliti lingkungan TNC-Coral Triangle Center.
Sebagian besar pantai Nusa Penida dimanfaatkan sebagai ladang budi daya rumput laut yang pernah menjadi sumber utama mata pencaharian masyarakat setempat. Selain itu, kini Nusa Penida juga berkembang sebagai pusat kegiatan pariwisata pantai dan laut di Bali. Akomodasi dari berbagai kepentingan ini sangat sesuai untuk disatukan dalam bentuk perencanaan Kawasan Konservasi Laut untuk melindungi sumber mata pencaharian masyarakat.
Ancaman kerusakan lingkungan perairan Nusa Penida harus diselamatkan. I Dewa Gede Tegeh Menala, salah seorang tokoh masyarakat setempat mengatakan saat ini banyak kapal besar semacam pukat harimau yang menangkap ikan di perairan Nusa Penida. ”Nelayan kecil seperti saya kalah jauh karena mereka menggunakan jaring yang sangat besar dan ini yang membuat penangkapan ikan berlebihan,” ujarnya.
Akibatnya, menurut Tegeh, sebagian besar nelayan di lima desa daerah pesisir Nusa Penida yang berprofesi sebagai nelayan banyak terlilit hutang pada rentenir. Para rentenir kini mengikat nelayan kecil dengan menyediakan perahu, jaring, sampai bahan bakar perahu. ”Pendapatan nelayan kecil karena harga tangkapan pun diatur rentenir,” tambah Tegeh.
Ia berharap KKL ini segera dapat diwujudkan dengan landasan hukum yang kuat. ”Saya punya cita-cita mengembangkan koperasi nelayan agar bisa terlepas dari rentenir,” pinta warga asal Desa Batununggul, Nusa Penida ini.
Nusa Penida berdekatan dengan dua pulau kecil yakni Nusa Lembongan dan Nusa Ceningan yang juga ramai dikunjungi turis. Banyak kapal pesiar kecil yang memanfaatkan potensi bahari perairan ini seperti Quick Silver, Bali Hai, dan Bounty Cruise. Ironisnya, Nusa Penida masih dianggap daerah miskin dan banyak warganya yang bekerja di luar daerah. Pertanian dan perkebunan setempat hanya mengandalkan tadah hujan karena kesulitan pasokan air.
Dengan dasar hukum UU No. 5/1990, pemerintah Indonesia telah menetapkan dan mengelola luas total KKL mencapai sekitar 5,6 juta ha. Pemerintah melalui Departemen Kelautan dan Perikanan bahkan menyatakan keinginan untuk menambah luas KKL di Indonesia mencapai 10 juta ha pada tahun 2010 dan 20 juta ha pada tahun 2020. [b]
Senin, 08 Desember 2008
Saving Nusa Penida’s Underwater Paradise
by Marthen Welly
The Coral Triangle is known as the global centre of marine biodiversity and one of the world’s top priorities for marine conservation. Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, East Timor, Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands are recognised as Coral Triangle countries. The area is home to over 600 reefbuilding coral species, or 75 percent of all species known to science, and more than 3, 000 species of reef fish. The coral triangle covers 5.7 million sq km, equivalent to half the area of the United States.
Within the Coral Triangle, 120 million people depend directly upon coral reefs for food and income, which is the basic reason why The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is working with a range of partners to protect the coastal and marine ecosystems of this vast area by addressing key threats, such as over-fishing, destructive fishing, and mass coral bleaching as a result of global warming.
Marine Protected Areas
TNC is working to transform marine conservation in the Coral Triangle by establishing large-scale networks of marineprotected areas (MPAs) that can survive global change and human threats.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) defines MPAs as: ‘Areas of tidal or subtidal terrain, together with their overlying waters and associated flora, fauna and historical and cultural features, which have been reserved by law or other effective means to protect part or all of the enclosed environment.’ In addition to protecting biodiversity, MPAs provide benefits for commercial fisheries and for nature-based tourism.
A Centre of Excellence
Since 2000, as a centre of excellence on designing and implementing well-managed MPAs within the Coral Triangle, TNC has been developing the Coral Triangle Centre (CTC) in Bali. The CTC will support TNC’s project sites with science, training, policies and financing, while promoting awareness of the need for establishing well-managed marine protected areas.
TNC-CTC is one of the key players in the Coral Triangle Initiative (CTI) that is supported by six coral triangle countries and the USA and Australia. The CTI is led by the Indonesian government under the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries.
TNC is working on project site conservation in Komodo, Wakatobi, Derawan, Raja Ampat, and the Savu Sea, all in Indonesia; Kimbe Bay in Papua New Guinea; and Arnovan Island of the Solomon Islands. This year, TNC has been expanding to new sites in Nusa Penida and Banda Island in Indonesia, and in East Timor.
Small Island Life
By speedboat from Sanur beach, it takes about 30 minutes to get to the beautiful islands of Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan that lie southeast of Bali. Clear blue water and soft-white sand circling the green islands create a luminous picture that is sure to put you in a relaxed mood, but will also make you want to protect this beautiful paradise.
Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan are connected by a beautiful 200m yellow bridge that is called the ‘Golden Gate’ of Nusa Penida. In the afternoon, with the golden hues of sunset falling on the marvellous mangrove forest, the fishermen drift on this sensational sea of calm as they take their traditional wooden boats to sea. These islands are rich in Balinese culture. Ped temple on Nusa Penida is one of central temples for the islands, and Balinese from the main island come every year to pray at this temple.
Tourism facilities at Nusa Lembongan are well-developed with marine tourism activities, dive operators, seaview resorts and restaurants easy to find. The prices are reasonable with a wide affordable range. Several of them have good connections with boat cruises from Benoa Harbour on Bali.
Unforgettable Islands
The fresh winds, crystal water, and incredible marine life combined with the friendly people and their Balinese culture will transport you into a different environment, far from the crowded, noisy streets you¡¯ve come from.
You can rent a motorcycle to explore the islands, and by meeting the local people, you will learn how the islanders live with nature. At night, enjoy a fish barbeque with the sounds of the sea as background music and the bright stars glittering in the sky. A romantic candle-light dinner at a beach restaurant is another very attractive option.
Though Nusa Penida is separated from Bali, it is still accessible, easy to reach and offers comfortable facilities.
Nusa Penida Underwater
As part of the coral triangle, Nusa Penida has a complete marine ecosystem with a stunning coral reef, a healthy mangrove forest and a seagrass bed. One visit to Nusa Penida lets you experience a great deal of marine life.
Nusa Penida is one of the best diving sites in Bali and all of Indonesia. Unique and rare marine creatures such as manta rays, stingrays, sea turtles, dolphins and sharks are Penida’s underwater residents. Penida’s most phenomenal underwater creature is the oceanic sunfish - the ‘mola mola’.
The best time to dive at Nusa Penida and see the ‘molamola’ is between August and October. Divers from around the world come to Nusa Penida just to see the ‘mola-mola’, which can grow up to 3.3m in size.
The waters around Nusa Penida are also an important migratory route for Cetaceans in Indonesia. During certain seasons, schools of whales pass through the strait between Bali and Nusa Penida, as well as between Nusa Penida and Lombok. The Dugong has often been spotted off Nusa Lembongan.
As one of the best marine tourism destinations in Bali, Nusa Penida has more than 10 dive sites. Favourite Nusa Penida sites are Blue Corner, Manta Point, SD Ped, Crystal Bay, Segamat, Toyapakeh and Jack Point. Nusa Penida has more than 12sq kms of coral reef and 1/4 sq kms of mangrove forest. These marine ecosystems are vital and important to protect Nusa Penida’s beach as well as fisheries resources and marine tourism assets.
source : http://xlgroupblog.com/the-environment/saving-nusa-penidas-underwater-paradise
The Coral Triangle is known as the global centre of marine biodiversity and one of the world’s top priorities for marine conservation. Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, East Timor, Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands are recognised as Coral Triangle countries. The area is home to over 600 reefbuilding coral species, or 75 percent of all species known to science, and more than 3, 000 species of reef fish. The coral triangle covers 5.7 million sq km, equivalent to half the area of the United States.
Within the Coral Triangle, 120 million people depend directly upon coral reefs for food and income, which is the basic reason why The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is working with a range of partners to protect the coastal and marine ecosystems of this vast area by addressing key threats, such as over-fishing, destructive fishing, and mass coral bleaching as a result of global warming.
Marine Protected Areas
TNC is working to transform marine conservation in the Coral Triangle by establishing large-scale networks of marineprotected areas (MPAs) that can survive global change and human threats.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) defines MPAs as: ‘Areas of tidal or subtidal terrain, together with their overlying waters and associated flora, fauna and historical and cultural features, which have been reserved by law or other effective means to protect part or all of the enclosed environment.’ In addition to protecting biodiversity, MPAs provide benefits for commercial fisheries and for nature-based tourism.
A Centre of Excellence
Since 2000, as a centre of excellence on designing and implementing well-managed MPAs within the Coral Triangle, TNC has been developing the Coral Triangle Centre (CTC) in Bali. The CTC will support TNC’s project sites with science, training, policies and financing, while promoting awareness of the need for establishing well-managed marine protected areas.
TNC-CTC is one of the key players in the Coral Triangle Initiative (CTI) that is supported by six coral triangle countries and the USA and Australia. The CTI is led by the Indonesian government under the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries.
TNC is working on project site conservation in Komodo, Wakatobi, Derawan, Raja Ampat, and the Savu Sea, all in Indonesia; Kimbe Bay in Papua New Guinea; and Arnovan Island of the Solomon Islands. This year, TNC has been expanding to new sites in Nusa Penida and Banda Island in Indonesia, and in East Timor.
Small Island Life
By speedboat from Sanur beach, it takes about 30 minutes to get to the beautiful islands of Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan that lie southeast of Bali. Clear blue water and soft-white sand circling the green islands create a luminous picture that is sure to put you in a relaxed mood, but will also make you want to protect this beautiful paradise.
Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan are connected by a beautiful 200m yellow bridge that is called the ‘Golden Gate’ of Nusa Penida. In the afternoon, with the golden hues of sunset falling on the marvellous mangrove forest, the fishermen drift on this sensational sea of calm as they take their traditional wooden boats to sea. These islands are rich in Balinese culture. Ped temple on Nusa Penida is one of central temples for the islands, and Balinese from the main island come every year to pray at this temple.
Tourism facilities at Nusa Lembongan are well-developed with marine tourism activities, dive operators, seaview resorts and restaurants easy to find. The prices are reasonable with a wide affordable range. Several of them have good connections with boat cruises from Benoa Harbour on Bali.
Unforgettable Islands
The fresh winds, crystal water, and incredible marine life combined with the friendly people and their Balinese culture will transport you into a different environment, far from the crowded, noisy streets you¡¯ve come from.
You can rent a motorcycle to explore the islands, and by meeting the local people, you will learn how the islanders live with nature. At night, enjoy a fish barbeque with the sounds of the sea as background music and the bright stars glittering in the sky. A romantic candle-light dinner at a beach restaurant is another very attractive option.
Though Nusa Penida is separated from Bali, it is still accessible, easy to reach and offers comfortable facilities.
Nusa Penida Underwater
As part of the coral triangle, Nusa Penida has a complete marine ecosystem with a stunning coral reef, a healthy mangrove forest and a seagrass bed. One visit to Nusa Penida lets you experience a great deal of marine life.
Nusa Penida is one of the best diving sites in Bali and all of Indonesia. Unique and rare marine creatures such as manta rays, stingrays, sea turtles, dolphins and sharks are Penida’s underwater residents. Penida’s most phenomenal underwater creature is the oceanic sunfish - the ‘mola mola’.
The best time to dive at Nusa Penida and see the ‘molamola’ is between August and October. Divers from around the world come to Nusa Penida just to see the ‘mola-mola’, which can grow up to 3.3m in size.
The waters around Nusa Penida are also an important migratory route for Cetaceans in Indonesia. During certain seasons, schools of whales pass through the strait between Bali and Nusa Penida, as well as between Nusa Penida and Lombok. The Dugong has often been spotted off Nusa Lembongan.
As one of the best marine tourism destinations in Bali, Nusa Penida has more than 10 dive sites. Favourite Nusa Penida sites are Blue Corner, Manta Point, SD Ped, Crystal Bay, Segamat, Toyapakeh and Jack Point. Nusa Penida has more than 12sq kms of coral reef and 1/4 sq kms of mangrove forest. These marine ecosystems are vital and important to protect Nusa Penida’s beach as well as fisheries resources and marine tourism assets.
source : http://xlgroupblog.com/the-environment/saving-nusa-penidas-underwater-paradise
Senin, 22 September 2008
Nusa Penida marine conservation blueprint prepared
Luh De Suriyani , Contributor , Denpasar Sat, 09/13/2008 9:58 AM Bali
Klungkung regency administration is drawing up a blueprint for a marine conservation zone around Nusa Penida, an island south of Bali, to help tackle illegal fishing and prevent the destruction of coral reefs in the area. Preparation of the blueprint was discussed Wednesday in a workshop attended by a number of stakeholders, including activists from the Nature Conservancy and officials from the Klungkung Environment Office and Klungkung Regional Development Planning Agency (Bappeda) and Nusa Penida district.
The discussion was considered long overdue because there has thus far been no integrated marine management concept in Nusa Penida. "(Marine) activities (in Nusa Penida) are currently conducted partially... But in line with rising interest in tourism development and coupled with problems of excessive fish exploitation, the idea of marine conservation in the area is becoming increasingly important," said Bappeda head Anak Agung Ngurah Kirana.
The marine conservation zone in Nusa Penida is expected to function as an effective tool to protect biodiversity and to enable sustainable management, especially for fishery and tourism purposes. The conservation zone is expected to consist of various levels of protection, including the introduction of a no-fishing area to protect existing breeding grounds for fish to supply nearby areas where fishing activities are allowed.
Another zone will allow the use of existing marine resources but only through the use of equipment which causes no damage to the marine habitat. The planned introduction of a marine conservation zone in Nusa Penida waters is considered unique and appropriate in that it is located on the southwest border of the world's Coral Triangle.
"The introduction of the conservation zone should have received serious attention, because the area constitutes the home of mola-mola and manta fish, two unique and endangered species which cannot be found elsewhere," said I Dewa Gede Raka Wiadnya, an environmental researcher at the TNC-Coral Triangle Center. The two types of fish, according he added, have become the favorites with divers.
Much of coastal Nusa Penida waters are used for seaweed cultivation, the main source of livelihood for many local residents. Now, however, Nusa Penida has rapidly changed into a center for marine tourism and beach attractions in Bali. Various issues are expected to be addressed in the conservation zone planning, including protecting the local source of livelihood.
I Dewa Gede Tegeh Menala, a prominent local figure, expressed concern over the operation of many trawlers in Nusa Penida waters, saying "Traditional fishermen are unable to compete with them." The result, he added, was predictable. Many fishermen have been forced to buy new boats and nets, and coupled with rising fuel prices, many have fallen victim to loan sharks.
"The fishermen's incomes remain low because the prices of their catches are usually set by the loan sharks," Tegeh said. He said he hoped the formation of the conservation zone would be realized as soon as possible. "I will develop cooperatives for the fishermen, to help them be independent of the loan sharks," he said.
Nusa Penida, which is located next to the two smaller islands of Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan, is visited by a large number of tourists. However, despite an increase in visitor numbers, Nusa Penida is still classified as a poor area. Agriculture there is fully dependent on the rains, with many residents abandoning this sector altogether.
source : http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2008/09/13/nusa-penida-marine-conservation-blueprint-prepared.html
Klungkung regency administration is drawing up a blueprint for a marine conservation zone around Nusa Penida, an island south of Bali, to help tackle illegal fishing and prevent the destruction of coral reefs in the area. Preparation of the blueprint was discussed Wednesday in a workshop attended by a number of stakeholders, including activists from the Nature Conservancy and officials from the Klungkung Environment Office and Klungkung Regional Development Planning Agency (Bappeda) and Nusa Penida district.
The discussion was considered long overdue because there has thus far been no integrated marine management concept in Nusa Penida. "(Marine) activities (in Nusa Penida) are currently conducted partially... But in line with rising interest in tourism development and coupled with problems of excessive fish exploitation, the idea of marine conservation in the area is becoming increasingly important," said Bappeda head Anak Agung Ngurah Kirana.
The marine conservation zone in Nusa Penida is expected to function as an effective tool to protect biodiversity and to enable sustainable management, especially for fishery and tourism purposes. The conservation zone is expected to consist of various levels of protection, including the introduction of a no-fishing area to protect existing breeding grounds for fish to supply nearby areas where fishing activities are allowed.
Another zone will allow the use of existing marine resources but only through the use of equipment which causes no damage to the marine habitat. The planned introduction of a marine conservation zone in Nusa Penida waters is considered unique and appropriate in that it is located on the southwest border of the world's Coral Triangle.
"The introduction of the conservation zone should have received serious attention, because the area constitutes the home of mola-mola and manta fish, two unique and endangered species which cannot be found elsewhere," said I Dewa Gede Raka Wiadnya, an environmental researcher at the TNC-Coral Triangle Center. The two types of fish, according he added, have become the favorites with divers.
Much of coastal Nusa Penida waters are used for seaweed cultivation, the main source of livelihood for many local residents. Now, however, Nusa Penida has rapidly changed into a center for marine tourism and beach attractions in Bali. Various issues are expected to be addressed in the conservation zone planning, including protecting the local source of livelihood.
I Dewa Gede Tegeh Menala, a prominent local figure, expressed concern over the operation of many trawlers in Nusa Penida waters, saying "Traditional fishermen are unable to compete with them." The result, he added, was predictable. Many fishermen have been forced to buy new boats and nets, and coupled with rising fuel prices, many have fallen victim to loan sharks.
"The fishermen's incomes remain low because the prices of their catches are usually set by the loan sharks," Tegeh said. He said he hoped the formation of the conservation zone would be realized as soon as possible. "I will develop cooperatives for the fishermen, to help them be independent of the loan sharks," he said.
Nusa Penida, which is located next to the two smaller islands of Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan, is visited by a large number of tourists. However, despite an increase in visitor numbers, Nusa Penida is still classified as a poor area. Agriculture there is fully dependent on the rains, with many residents abandoning this sector altogether.
source : http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2008/09/13/nusa-penida-marine-conservation-blueprint-prepared.html
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