Introduction
We at ROLE believe that poverty, lack of education and environmental degradation are intimately linked.
Overfishing, beachfront development, use of unsustainable and destructive fishing methods, and waste and pollutant discharge contribute to the sharp decline and degradation of marine resources, including tropical coral reefs, seagrass beds, and mangrove forests. The income derived and the protein gained from these resources by most coastal communities have decreased substantially, leading to further unsustainable exploitation and concomitant environmental degradation.
Aim
To educate and train coastal communities on environmental issues and create alternate, eco-friendly marine business opportunities, to enable them to make a comfortable income, thus reducing pressure on natural resources and restoring the environment to health for future generations. ROLE supports the
U.N. Millennium Development Goals
The Program
The Marine program is focused on a mix of education, reef recovery and business development from ocean farming for coastal communities.
The program has three main areas:
1. Reef Revival
2. Eco-Friendly Ocean Farming
3. Education, Job and Business Development
Reef Revival
Projects Aims:
1. Help in the selection, designation and monitoring of marine protected areas in Bali
2. Monitor water quality in the Nusa Dua area
3. Restore damaged reefs in Bali
Reef Revival Projects:
1. Marine Protected Area (MPA) Selection, Designation and Monitoring
2. Monitoring of Marine Water Quality
3. Coral Reef Restoration
Introduction
Unsustainable exploitation of the oceans has taken humankind to a unique, albeit not enviable, position in human history. Current behaviours will result in the ultimate devastation of the marine environment even though large numbers of people around the world depend on it for food and other commodities. Only 3% of the world’s oceans are protected and urgent action is required to stop and reverse the current rate of destruction.
Marine Protected Areas (MPA) Designation and Monitoring
Community Based Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)
ROLE will undertake a comprehensive biological and socio-economic survey of the Geger and Nikko reef to determine its suitability for an MPA. This will involve:
• Habitat analysis
• In-depth proposal in collaboration with the fishing and aquaculture communities, existing hotels and eco-friendly businesses in the area.
• Integrated community-based approach through mobilization of all local resource
users including fishermen, seaweed farmers, local hotels, NGOs, community and government departments
• Educational workshops highlighting the benefits of MPAs
• Obtain final approval through government departments
• Secure funding for the MPA
• Establish MPA maintenance and surveillance teams
• Monitor reef biodiversity and fishery resources
Monitoring of Marine Water Quality
ROLE will monitor seawater quality at key points off southern Bali to test for pollutant levels to ensure that ROLE’s Marine Projects are viable allowing the development of an alert system for ocean farmers, fishermen and the tourism industry. Alerts, if necessary, will be placed through the correct channels, in close cooperation and coordination with the tourism industry and local community. This will allow us to identify and address the sources of pollution
Coral Reef Restoration
Various methodologies exist to rehabilitate coral reefs and these will vary depending on the species of coral and other animals and plants to be included
ROLE will not build new coral reefs but rather rehabilitate, stabilize and secure existing reef habitats by addressing the factors that resulted in their destruction or deterioration (for example sedimentation, blastfishing, etc
ROLE hopes that through the creation of a Marine Protected Area the biodiversity of a small part of Nusa Dua will be maintained, and the fisheries given a chance to recover from current levels of overexploitation. Furthermore, the MPA will provide employment opportunities for local people and increase the potential for marine- based tourism in the area. Ultimately, it will be necessary to create a network of MPAs in Bali to recover damaged ecosystems and fishery resources for the benefit of coastal communities and other residents and tourists of Bali
Eco-Friendly Ocean Farming
Project Aims:
1. Provide alternative livelihoods for local resource users
2. Create environmentally friendly practices for the aquaculture industry
3. Supply environmentally sustainable products for the jewellery trade
4. Supply restaurants with eco-friendly local produce
Eco-Friendly Ocean Farming Projects:
1. Multi-Trophic Aquaculture
2. Seaweed Farm and Processing Development
3. Shell Farming for Jewellery
Introduction
lthough aquaculture has the potential to supplement marine production, current practices worldwide result in a multitude of environmental and social problems. ROLE proposes eco-friendly practices that will create jobs and develop businesses for coastal communities that are no longer able to support themselves without negatively impacting the environment on which they depend.
Multi-trophic aquaculture
The production of marine organisms, like any other form of plant or animal production, can have negative impacts on the environment. Through the use of an integrated production system, the waste of an animal will become the food of another, not only resulting in the production of additional materials for the market but also considerably reducing pollution and degradation of the environment. A combination of scallops, sea cucumbers and seaweed, for example, can result in three quality products for internal and international consumption while preserving the environment on which the coastal communities depend
There is a multitude of animals and plants that can be grown in this manner including ornamental fish, corals, giant clams, pearl oysters, crabs, and many more. This diversity
can be used to avoid a saturation of the market and consequent price drops as well as to adapt the species used to the habitats and areas of work.
Seaweed Farm and Processing Development
aweed farming can be a successful enterprise and is one the main businesses and employers for the locals in Sawangan. Seaweed farming is done year round and harvests occur every 30 to 45 days. While income at present is reasonable, there are various factors that put seaweed farmers in a precarious position:
• Drying and preparation areas on the beach or land are owned and controlled by developers.
• Overpopulation is pushing more people to look for work therefore competition for seaweed farming is intense.
• Increasing pollution could become a major threat.
ROLE plans to help seaweed farmers in three ways:
1. Help secure preparation areas
2. Streamline processing, marketing and transportation systems.
3. Help develop up-market products.
Products derived from seaweed include:
• Gelatin • Sweets
• Syrup • Dried seaweed
• Chips • Cosmetics
• Jam • Oils
• Salty (pickled) seaweed
Shell farming for Jewellery
This project is designed to give supply shells and corals grown in farms in an eco-friendly manner thus relieving pressure from natural resources. The use of large quantities of corals and shells for jewellery is a major contributing factor to the destruction of coral reefs throughout Asia.
There are many types of shells to be farmed for use in jewellery:
There are many types of shells to be farmed for use in jewellery:
1. Pearl oyster shells (Pinctada spp.)
2. Top shells (Trochus spp.)
3. Abalone shells (Haliotis spp.)
4. Green or blue clam (Mytilus edulis)
5. Giant clam (Tridacna spp.)
In addition, certain species of corals may be cultured to supply this market as well as the aquarium trade
Education, Job and Business Development
Project Aims:
1. Raise awareness of issues affecting the marine environment
2. Provide Marine Conservation education to schools
3. Promote eco-tourism and sustainable development
Introduction
ROLE’s marine education and marine eco-tourism programs are designed to raise awareness of issues impacting the coastal environment together with promoting sustainable eco-tourism in Bali.
The marine environment, in particular coral reefs, is under extreme pressure from natural and human impacts. Nowhere is this more evident than in Bali, where the island’s ecosystems struggle to cope with the ever-expanding tourism industry. As more of the coastline is transformed through development, and numbers of visitors increase, the island’s resources are being placed under more stress and are being lost affecting local communities who depend upon them for their survival. If this trend continues the island will lose its appeal to tourists and will lead to a decline in this significant industry.
ROLE is currently in the process of building a Marine Center at the Eco-Learning facility. The Marine Center will house information regarding all of ROLE’s Marine Programs, educational materials, educational programs, and will also become an information hub and a training place for the community.
ROLE is looking to address marine conservation issues through educational workshops for schools, businesses, local communities and the tourism sector. This will take place both at the Eco-Learning Center and at external locations and will feature a series of specially designed programs.
Subjects will include:
- Eco-tourism and sustainable development
- Coral reef biology
- Threats facing coral reefs
- Marine species identification
- Coastal resource management
- Sustainable livelihoods
Through raising awareness of the threats affecting the marine environment in Bali and around the world, ROLE hopes to reverse coastal degradation and protect the island’s biodiversity for future generations.
