Page 10 - Diving Indonesia 21 November 2019

Indonesian Living Reefs Indonesian Living Reefs

and forming a barrier reef further out from previously locked away in the reef. The is based on the notion that exposed The Indonesian Government has been
the island. He went on to suggest that if water inside the lagoon is completely cut limestone – for example, an island – will proactive in reef conservation and there
then over time the island subsided what off from the open ocean so this highly be acted on by the weak acid contained are numerous marine parks (MPAs)
would be left would be an atoll. concentrated nutrient rich water remains in acid rain and will slowly erode in the across the archipelago. Today, more
undiluted. This isolation of the water also center. Given that sea levels have risen MPA’s are still being created as education
Atolls means that is it unaffected by problems approximately 120 meters since the last regarding the importance of reefs for both
Atolls are perhaps the most visually stemming from land such as run off ice age the raise in water level means the environment and for the economy
stunning of reef structures – circular rings containing pollutants. The effect is that that as the center of the island erodes becomes more widespread. The majority
of coral growth with centralized lagoons atoll lagoons can support a much higher down and the surrounding sea rises only of Indonesian marine parks are complete
rising up from the deep. The largest atoll concentration of life than other lagoons, a rim will be left a t the surface on which no-take zones which means no fishing,
in Indonesia is Taka Bone Rata Atoll in such as those that form behind barrier coral will form. The process of erosion in no harvesting of turtles eggs and no shell
South Sulawesi (Flores Sea) and it is reefs. the center continues making the island collecting, other parks are divided into
actually the largest atoll in South East virtually hollow itself out into what we zones using similar titles. Whilst the
Asia and the third largest atoll in the Atoll formation has been examined in now see as a deep saucer shape - an Atoll. parks are a big step forwards the main
world. Taka Bone Rate is 72 kilometers more recent times and whilst Darwin’s problem that they face is enforcement
by 36 kilometers and encompasses more theory does make sense there are some Coral Reef Marine Life of the regulations. In some areas patrol
than 20 small islands and numerous areas where geological evidence does Conservation and Marine boats are used to patrol park waters and
reefs. Atoll lagoons contain water that not support his hypothesis entirely. The Protected Areas this seems to be an effective and positive
is considerably richer than the waters ‘Karstic Saucers’ explanation also takes in Coral reef habitats across the globe are solution. One of the best ways to support
surrounding the atoll because as deep to account the rise in sea levels following facing a tremendous range of issues a marine park is to dive there – many of
ocean water filters through the walls of the ice age – a factor which Darwin did and pressures and Indonesian reefs are the established parks have systems in
the atoll it collects nutrients that were not account for. This alternate theory no exception. World-wide, over fishing place for divers to purchase park entry
is, and continues to be, a major issue; tags of varying durations and the fees
destructive fishing practices such as fund the running of the park and projects
cyanide fishing and dynamite fishing also within it. Please show your support and if
continue in numerous regions around you are diving in an MPA always ask your
the world. Globally, irresponsible tourism operator if there is a marine park tag to
has led to some areas where corals have purchase.
been broken and anchor damage is also
a contributing factor to reef damage. In addition to marine parks there
Indonesia has innumerable pristine reefs are numerous independent marine
but divers should be aware that these conservation projects all over Indonesia
global issues also affect parts of the from turtle hatcheries and manta ray
Archipelago. Thankfully the Indonesian identification databases to artificial reefs
Government has acted quickly and is keen and coral reef monitoring. The majority
to ensure the ongoing future of healthy of these projects are worthwhile and
reefs in Indonesia. When booking a dive help to increase awareness of various
trip in Indonesia try to opt for operators issues facing Indonesia’s coral reefs and
who are operating environmentally dive their inhabitants. Check with chosen
practices and are active in reef and marine operators(s) for conservation projects
life conservation efforts. in the areas you are visiting – often they
welcome help and they can be very
interesting and informative.

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