A dive operator that was found responsible for the vandalism of corals in Nusa Penida MPA was asked to rehabilitate 1 hectare of coral reefs as penalty for its illegal act.

The punishment was handed during a meeting on September 21, 2016 attended by the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (BPSPL-Denpasar), CTC, Association of Tour Guides in Indonesia (Gahawisri), Bali Tourism Board, Nusa Penida Management Unit, and the concerned diving operator. Based on Indonesian Law, offenders who commit acts of vandalism against coral reef ecosystems will be given two years imprisonment and a fine of 2 billion rupiah.

“We have to do another re-socialization so that divers are really familiar with the diving code of conducts. This action has gone beyond the limit. Once again we urge the diving operators to remind their guests about the codes and rules so that events like this won’t happen again”, Nusa Penida MPA Management Unit Head I Nyoman Karyawan stated.