Here is an interesting phenomena of the interconnection between the green revolutuin and coral reef preservation which is summed up in a nice article by Paul Spencer Sochaczewski.

Ida Bagus Gede Jika squats and examines emerald green rice stalks in a postcard-pretty paddy in the center of Bali. “This is ‘old’ rice,” he explains, referring to the traditional variety that pre-dates so-called ‘miracle rice’. “Doesn’t need pesticides.” Jika then points to a neighboring field of shorter rice stalks. “Those farmers are growing new rice,” he says, rubbing his fingers to indicate that big money is involved. “Uses plenty of chemicals.”

Had anyone bothered to ask him, Jika’s knowledge of traditional farming techniques could have helped stop the destruction of the oft-visited island’s coral reefs.

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Reefs worldwide are being destroyed by global warming, pollution, over fishing, bombing, and cyanide fishing. These events are killing our oceans. Bali is confronted with the same problems and often has less resources to combat them. The 1998 El Nino incident which raised water temperature worldwide, has caused a phenomenon called bleaching in which the coral dies due to the increase in temperature and gives the visual effect of the reef being bleached. Our own reefs here in Bali have experienced the same fate. Compounding this is the continuous bombing and cyanide fishing being used by local fishermen.

Here and now in Pemuteran Bali just off the shore of Taman Sari Hotel is a pilot project, the only one of its kind in Indonesia. Pemuteran Bay leading the way in conservation is experimenting with a radical new approach to artificial reef construction by means of ‘Mineral Accretion’ to literally grow our own reefs. Mineral Accretion is a chemical process pioneered and patented by Professor Wolf Hilbertz and Dr. Tom Goreau, two marine scientists. These very scientists offered to be on hand personally and spearhead the project to train, educate, build and place these artificial reefs right here in the ocean in Pemuteran Bay. All construction was carried out using locally available materials and skills. All of the structural and electrical design work was undertaken by Wolf and Tom.

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Re-plant opening ceremony
April 22, 2006
Mertasari Beach - Sanur at 9.00 am

This 5-hectare re-plantation programme aims to revitalize the Sanur Coral Reefs. A long term action (5 years) to protect the nature for the next generations.

The Minister of Fisheries and Marine Affairs Mr. Freddy Numberi, Governor of Bali Drs. Dewa Made Beratha and Mayor of Denpasar City Mr. A. A. Puspayoga will officially attend the opening ceremony.

An initiative of Panitia Peringatan Bersama with the support of Sanur Development Foundation.

Photographs by Avandy Djunaedi (BIDP).

We stayed at the Seraya shores and loved it ( very romantic).( Lady owner is Amanda , now managing Allila UBUD and Allila Candi …) Tell her Sue and Don Bennett recommend your site ( Baliwww.com ) .

The snorkling was great sailing from the harbor in Padang Bai, especially in a glass bottom boat for the guests that did not dive. Feeding the fish (bread) was a real hit, they went crazy jumping over each other. The white sands beach was beautiful, but the currents were stong.

Don Bennett
San Francisco Peninsula U.S.A