13 Mar A Refresher Training on the Coral Reef and Mangrove Rehabilitation

Mangroves, seagrass beds and coral reefs in Nusa Penida Marine Protected Area (MPA) in, Bali, work as a united system that keeps coastal zones healthy and support local blue economy. Recently, CTC delivered a training on the sustainable use and rehabilitation of mangroves and coral reefs for community representatives and stakeholders in Nusa Penida to be more empowered in more effective management of the area.

The five-day training took place at the Pullman Legian Hotel and in the field in Serangan and Pemogan in Bali, from March 9-13, 2022. It was attended by 28 participants representing the Bali Marine Protected Area (MPA) Management Unit (UPTD KKP), local tourism, aquaculture and surveillance groups in Nusa Penida, local coral reef and mangrove community groups in Nusa Penida and university students. CTC also invited five trainers in this activity who were experts in the coral reef restoration and mangrove rehabilitation from the Muhammadiyah University of Purworejo and the Conservation International Indonesia.

The training activity is part of the Coral Reef Rehabilitation and Management Program – Coral Triangle Initiative (COREMAP-CTI) project Grant Package 4 in the Nusa Penida MPA, supported by the Asian Development Bank (ADB). There were five main topics covered by the training such as the principles of MPA, marine and coastal ecosystems, basic knowledge of mangrove rehabilitation techniques, basic knowledge of coral reef restoration techniques and mangrove utilization as livelihood alternatives.

The training aimed to increase the capacity of local community and stakeholders in mangrove rehabilitation and coral restoration and enable them to contribute towards marine conservation and local resilience. Through an intensive in-class discussion, information, insights and perceptions related to the coastal ecosystems in the Nusa Penida MPA from participants were collected to be proceeded further. “Through this activity, all participants were eventually able to develop an integrated work plan for the implementation of specific coral reefs and mangrove rehabilitation programs in the near future,” said CTC’s COREMAP-CTI ADB Nusa Penida Project Coordinator Evi Ihsan.

A number of coral reef restoration practices have also been carried out in Nusa Penida using different methodologies with varying levels of success rates. It is hoped that with capacity building and training, coral restoration efforts in Nusa Penida MPA can contribute positively to increasing the average percentage of live hard coral cover in which is currently at around of 43% or medium level.

On the other hand, a member of the Nusantara Mangrove Community Group I Kadek Yogi Wiantara also shared his experience in assisting mangrove rehabilitation activities in West Bali and mapping mangrove forest coverage in Bali. Currently, 1.8 hectares of mangrove land on Nusa Ceningan Island has been converted for the development of ecotourism sites. If there is no balance with replanting mangroves in other parts of Nusa Penida, this mangrove forest conversion can affect the role of overall marine ecosystems in the islands.

After this training, CTC and partner experts in the rehabilitation of mangroves and coral reefs will provide technical assistance in the three target villages, namely Lembongan, Ped and Suana. A number of activities that will be carried out include the production of artificial reefs with various methods and planting mangrove seedlings in suitable locations. (*)

Photo Credits: Kasman/Evi Ihsan/Rika Sukmaputri/