GILI ECO TRUST
In 2002 the Gili Eco Trust was set up primarily to protect the coral reefs around the island against destructive fishing practices.
All dive centres charge their guests a one-time ‘reef tax’ of Rp 40,000. The funds collected are used to pay fisherman to stop using fishing methods that are damaging to the reefs. Funds are also used for beach cleaning, rubbish management and monitoring.
Line fishing, spear fishing and surface nets are permitted as these methods are not harmful to the reefs and the eco-system.
TURTLE HATCHERY
In 1995 a local initiative was set up to help the turtle population around Gili Trawangan. Turtle eggs are a delicacy in Bali and are tracked down as far away as Gili Trawangan. The poachers are paid for their find and the turtles are re-buried and kept under surveillance. Once they hatch, the baby green and hawksbill turtles are placed in a tank and left to grow until they are approx. 6 months old when they are big enough to fend for themselves, and are released into the sea.
The project still relies purely on donations by locals and tourists and has grown bigger and bigger over the years.
BIOROCK PROJECT
Much of the coral around Gili Trawangan has been destroyed over recent years by dynamite fishing and by the effects of el Niño in 2000. In 2004, Vila Ombak Diving Academy began a project to encourage the re-growth of the coral using a method called Biorock. The process involves using a safe low-voltage current that is applied though the sea water. The electric current attracts the minerals in the seawater to a steel structure where they grow into limestone very similar to coral reefs.
In 2006, after the success of the original project, all the dive operators on the island came together to construct more Biorock structures. The 14 structures can be found in the shallower waters (5-8m) at different points just in front of each dive shop.
More information about Biorock can be found at www.biorock.net
All dive centres charge their guests a one-time ‘reef tax’ of Rp 40,000. The funds collected are used to pay fisherman to stop using fishing methods that are damaging to the reefs. Funds are also used for beach cleaning, rubbish management and monitoring.
Line fishing, spear fishing and surface nets are permitted as these methods are not harmful to the reefs and the eco-system.
In 1995 a local initiative was set up to help the turtle population around Gili Trawangan. Turtle eggs are a delicacy in Bali and are tracked down as far away as Gili Trawangan. The poachers are paid for their find and the turtles are re-buried and kept under surveillance. Once they hatch, the baby green and hawksbill turtles are placed in a tank and left to grow until they are approx. 6 months old when they are big enough to fend for themselves, and are released into the sea.
The project still relies purely on donations by locals and tourists and has grown bigger and bigger over the years.
BIOROCK PROJECT
Much of the coral around Gili Trawangan has been destroyed over recent years by dynamite fishing and by the effects of el Niño in 2000. In 2004, Vila Ombak Diving Academy began a project to encourage the re-growth of the coral using a method called Biorock. The process involves using a safe low-voltage current that is applied though the sea water. The electric current attracts the minerals in the seawater to a steel structure where they grow into limestone very similar to coral reefs.
In 2006, after the success of the original project, all the dive operators on the island came together to construct more Biorock structures. The 14 structures can be found in the shallower waters (5-8m) at different points just in front of each dive shop.
More information about Biorock can be found at www.biorock.net
In 2006, after the success of the original project, all the dive operators on the island came together to construct more Biorock structures. The 14 structures can be found in the shallower waters (5-8m) at different points just in front of each dive shop.
More information about Biorock can be found at www.biorock.net
