The Marine Foundation

Tejakula, Bali

admin — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 22:33:16 +0000

Our cultural link to creativity is hugely important for a countries sense of high self esteem

The Story, Tejakula, Bali

The Marine Foundation in partnership with Reef Check Indonesia, an NGO that supports communities in their commitment to protecting their Marine Environment by setting up areas of marine protection and management. www.reefcheck.or.id are developing the ecotourism and marine preservation through the installation of a high profile living coral sculpture. To put this new attraction on the tourist map and engage the asian art world we have invited famous Balinese sculptor, Wayan Winten to create the new cultural and eco-tourism attraction based around the theme chosen by the community; Varuna, God of the sea. The sculpture will be totally submerged at high tide and as the tide drops, Varuna riding his sea monster will appear to ride out of the waves, ensuring that an audience who do not want to enter the water can also appreciate this original concept. The project will inject an immense pride and hope into the community and generate a wave of new interest and economics that will enable them to move away from the income driven destruction that threatens to destroy the very eco systems on which they depend.

Located in north side of Bali Island, Tejakula sub-district covers 25.75 km of coast line. Coral reef can be found in 0.5 – 30 meter depth level, however based on survey in 2006, most of the coral reef in this area is in bad condition. This has happened due to direct and indirect human activity such as; dynamite fishing, the use of cyanide poison to catch the coral fish by local fishermen for the aquarium trade, corals and sand collection, (mining) from the sea, also global warming is endangering the well being of marine species e.g mass coral bleaching. To help remedy these problems, the local community have themselves decided to manage their reefs, and have initiated the Marine Management Area (DPL) and Reef Check Indonesia are assisting in this process. The new attraction will be supported by dive training for the community, along side a sustainable build and eco dive and visiting facility centre enabling a long term strategy for sustainable management and preservation of their coral reefs

This area has a chance to successfully develop sustainable eco marine tourism, especially as the community are self-motivated to manage their area. The region has a unique cultural identity therefore their own market within the tourism sector. Diving sites in Bali tend to be saturated and there is the potential to make Tejakula more attractive for the diver and tourists by drawing attention to the environmental initiative and by creating alternative dive site. This opportunity is realized by the fishermen and local government to promote coral reef eco-tourism in Tejakula generating funds for conservation as well as to increase the alternative income for the local community.

Deus Project

admin — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 20:46:41 +0000

The Flash Player and a browser with Javascript support are needed..

A collaboration between Deus,(http://www.deusbaliblog.co.id/2011/11/bio-reef.html) Gili Eco Trust, (www.giliecotrust.com ) Bio-rock® coral restoration method (http://www.globalcoral.org )and The Marine Foundation to create a living Underwater Sculpture.

The concept ’ A living underwater art work using a Deus Motor-bike that will be placed on a metal rebar road that will become transplanted with corals. The structure will be sunk in the house reef in front of Cafe Gili in Gili Trawangan Lombok, in an approx. 5m water depth.

Loose and baby corals will be collected form the surrounding reef and transplanted onto the ‘coral reef road’, seeking shelter the fish will move in. The Bio-rock® method which uses a gentle electrical current to enhance coral growth and survival rates will turn this installation into a living marine ecosystem, an interactive artwork and generate inspiring visuals for promotion.

Gili Eco Trust who run the Gili islands environmental program will manage the installation and management of bio-rock. The Marine Foundation conceived the the idea and the strong visual imagery will inspire and draw a new audience to the issues of the ocean environment and sustainable marine management. The project is being made in the deus workshops in the temple of enthusiasm Changu Bali and will be transported to the islands by Blue water express boats http://www.bwsbali.com

We are raising money for materials and the solar panels we want to power the project with green energy. PLEASE DONATE

Coral Goddess Movies 1 – 2 – 3

admin — Sun, 17 Jul 2011 00:34:26 +0000

Part 1

PART 2

Part 3

Bio-Rock Workshop

admin — Sun, 17 Jul 2011 00:34:03 +0000

After the success of the 4th and 6th Biorock® workshops in November 2006 and December 2008 on Gili Trawangan, the Gili Eco Trust would like to organise another opportunity to extend all existing Biorock® structures, to build new structures around the Gili islands to continue the projects or reef regeneration, growing beaches, preventing erosion, fish habitat, and more. Also, the Gili Eco Trust would like to implement Biorock® reefs powered by tidal energy, wave energy, and/or solar energy during the next workshop, to make the technology even more sustainable. Support from the businesses is crucial if these projects are to proceed and be a success.

The original article includes a great movie! (click here – opens a new window)

Friendly Face for the GCRA

admin — Sun, 17 Jul 2011 00:28:45 +0000

The GCRA is dedicated to the Bio-rock® method that has successfully rehabilitated coral reef habitat globally. Our aim with The Coral Goddess project is to give this scientific technique a creative and fun new interface.

A decade ago, Pemuteran, Bali’s house reef was devastated by bombing, cyanide fishing and el nino; A local initiative to establish bands on these destructive fishing methods and then implementation of an extensive Bio-rock® program means the location is now an award winning eco tourism destination.

On May 2 2011 we held the launch of The Coral Goddess, An interactive living coral sculpture using the bio-rock ® technology. An inspiring underwater tourism attraction and a fun vessel for raising awareness; promoting a positive and creative approach to marine conservation. Bio-rock requires a gentle electrical current to enhance coral growth the coral goddess is powered by a wind/solar unit and is the beginning of establishing a range of innovative green energy systems to include; a floating pontoon for tourists to swim to and sunbath on with the roof covered in solar panels and a new bio-rock sculpture with a theme to be influenced by our funder, powered by a wave energy unit.

To support the local and international interest generated by our highly visual and exciting coral art program , We plan to improve the facilities and outreach capacity of the Bio-rock centre in Pemuteran and establish a media friendly face to the GCRA through an upgraded website.

How to make a mermaid’s crown

admin — Sun, 17 Jul 2011 00:23:08 +0000

Stage 1

Collect materials

NB Whilst on land mermaid’s do not have a tail and are therefore able to freely gather the necessary materials on the beach

And they like to play with and admire the treasures found washed up on the beach.

Stage 2

Make the crown with carefully sculpted wire, shell and old fragments of coral

Stage 3

The crown is ready to be placed in the seawater where using an natural accretion process stimulated by an electrical charge the mermaid’s crown can grow a layer of calcium carbonate over the surface NB Mermaids like to look after their environment so this electrical charge is created using the sun.

A merman wires up the solar power to the crown

Stage 4

The Mermaid’s Crown is now under the water the process of electrolysis is enabling this white coral finish to grow over the surface

Stage 5

The ocean has grown a mermaid’s crown

WHERE IS OUR MERMAID? WE HAVE HER CROWN?

The crown now …

7th Indonesian Biorock Workshop

admin — Sun, 17 Jul 2011 00:20:22 +0000

Diving Indonesia, Gili Trawangan, Biorock Reef

admin — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 20:13:36 +0000

Underwater video of Biorock reef, Gili Trawangan, Indonesia. The Biorock