In October and December 2021, the Coral Reef Restoration Task Force went to Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Penida to complete their first mission of evaluating and assisting the technical aspects of the ongoing reef restoration programs. The two programs visited were managed by Bali Hai Cruise and Kelompok Nuansa Pulau. 

On May 24th-25th, 2022, the much anticipated second evaluation was completed. After five to six months, the Task Force was finally able to observe coral growth on the Reef Stars at the restoration sites. The coral fragments at the relocation site of Bali Hai Cruise (BHC) Pontoon grew well and rapidly. Koko Widiyatmoko, the reef manager at BHC, revealed that so far, no Reef Stars were buried by sand. It indicates that the site selected with the Task Force last year is a suitable one that is protection from the surrounding reef. The BHC team also carried out routine maintenance and ensured that the program kept up with the standards of the MARRS method.

Kelompok Nuansa Pulau (KNP) in Nusa Penida, a partner of  CTC from the local community group, has expanded their project and brought the total estimation of the restored area to 100 square meters. The youth group also remain determined and intend to further expand the site during the course of the year. A section of the restoration site is dedicated to promoting both CTC and KNP’s support of the “30×30” movement, a global commitment to conserve 30% of the world’s reef by 2030 through the establishment and management of Marine Protected Areas (MPA).

“During the past couple of days, there has been some inflow of trash to the waters and some structures got tangled in tali rafia (plastic rope). We always find some and have to untangle them from corals during routine maintenance,” said I Gede Wahyu Sena Wisesa, a member of the KNP. 

There was some bleaching in the shallow waters on the east side of the reef, NOAA issued a bleaching alert in Bali and Lombok. The bleaching is being observed closely by the members of KNP together with the Task Force, they remain vigilant and are prepared to respond to changing conditions.

Photo by Eureka Amadea/CTC