The threat of coral bleaching has now spread throughout the world, including to Indonesia. The NOAA Coral Reef Watch (CRW) quarterly reports on coral bleaching indicated that heat stress would trigger coral bleaching in the Nusa Penida Marine Protected Area (MPA) from June to September. Based on the preliminary information, CTC, in collaboration with Bali MPA Management Unit Team, Siren Dive Lembongan, World Diving Lembongan, and Pure Dive Nusa Penida, monitored the MPA throughout May to determine the current situation of coral reefs in Nusa Penida MPA. 

Coral reef monitoring was conducted in nine locations in Nusa Penida, such as Suana, Toya Pakeh, Mangrove, Gamat, Ped-Blue Harbour, Ped-CTC coral restoration site, Manta Point, Crystal Bay, and Ped 1. During the monitoring period, especially on May 16, 2022 at Mangrove Point, the visibility was between 7-10 meters, making it challenging for the team to monitor. The turbidity of the waters is probably caused by receding seawater, which carries sedimentary material from the mangrove area. Another challenge was the large waves and weather at Manta Point on May 24, 2022.

Results indicated that potential coral bleaching was found in two locations: Toya Pakeh Village and a coral restoration site in Ped. The increase in temperatures of the Nusa Penida Marine Protected Area (MPA) waters caused some corals to become pale to white but had little effect on mass coral bleaching. Through the monitoring activity, CTC has been committed to support the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries’ (MMAF) program to monitor coral bleaching in Indonesia. All the data collected will provide an overview of the presence/absence of coral bleaching. 

Photo by Wira Sanjaya/CTC