Better Together Indonesia is excited to announce a new partnership with the Deep Blue Sea Dive Center in Sekotong, West Lombok, to launch the “Scuba Diving Training for Youth” program. This initiative aims to empower local youth by providing them with professional scuba diving skills, which will support marine conservation efforts and offer new economic opportunities in sustainable tourism.

The Coastal and Small Islands Potential

Indonesia’s coastal areas and small islands are renowned for their unique beauty. These regions offer a combination of stunning seascapes, sandy beaches, and rich biodiversity, attracting tourists from all over the world. West Lombok, particularly the Sekotong district, is a prime example of this, with its white sandy beaches and vibrant coral reef ecosystems that provide an exotic and unparalleled view of nature.

One of the highlights of this area is the Gita Nada Marine Protected Area (MPA), which spans over 21,000 hectares and was officially designated by the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries through Decree No. 93/KepmenKP/2018. The MPA includes several small islands (Gili Nanggu, Gili Tangkong, and Gili Sudak), all of which are popular for marine tourism activities such as diving, snorkeling, and fishing.

However, the increasing popularity of these islands has put pressure on the local marine environment. The influx of tourists and marine activities has led to coral reef degradation, with coral bleaching and other natural phenomena contributing to further damage. Areas such as Gili Nanggu, Gili Tangkong, and Gili Sudak have been particularly affected by coastal erosion and the destruction of coral reefs.

A Collaborative Effort for Marine Conservation

In response to these challenges, the Deep Blue Sea Foundation (YDBS), is initiating coral reef restoration efforts as part of the “Scuba Diving Training for Youth” program. This initiative is designed not only to equip young people with diving skills but also to educate them on the importance of marine conservation, thus instilling a sense of responsibility toward preserving the region’s underwater ecosystems.

Program Objectives

The “Scuba Diving Training for Youth” program has several key objectives:

1. Environmental Education: The program aims to educate participants on the critical role marine ecosystems, particularly coral reefs, play in sustaining coastal biodiversity and protecting the environment.
2. Marine Conservation: Youth will be directly involved in coral reef restoration through the construction of coral gardens using structures such as hexagons and other support media that are designed to restore the local underwater ecosystem.
3. Tourism Development: The program will help establish new dive and snorkeling spots, attracting more eco-conscious tourists to the region while ensuring that local youth benefit economically from their training.
4. Sustainable Impact: By equipping local youth with professional scuba diving certifications, this initiative will help create sustainable livelihood opportunities in the tourism industry, ensuring long-term environmental and economic benefits.

Planned Activities

The following activities are planned as part of the coral reef restoration and scuba diving training program:

1. Coral Garden Restoration: The creation of coral gardens using innovative structures such as hexagons, coral racks, and “roti buaya” media, specifically designed to suit the local marine environment.
2. Monitoring and Maintenance: A year-long commitment to monitoring and maintaining the restored coral structures, ensuring their health and promoting biodiversity.
3. Marine Patrols: A dedicated team will carry out regular patrols to prevent further environmental degradation in the Gita Nada Marine Protected Area.

Expected Outcomes

The program is expected to yield numerous benefits, including:

1. Increased Coral Cover: The successful transplantation of coral reefs will enhance biodiversity and improve the resilience of local ecosystems.
2. Sustainable Tourism Growth: The restored coral reefs will become new attractions for diving and snorkeling enthusiasts, contributing to increased tourist numbers.
3. Community Engagement: Local youth will develop a deeper understanding of the need for marine conservation and will be empowered to protect their natural resources while benefiting from sustainable tourism.

For those interested in participating as trainees in the Scuba Diving Training for Youth program, you can register through the following link: Registration Form.

To support the program and help preserve our reefs, donations can be made through this link: Donate Here.

Author: Fuad Andhika Rahman, S.Pi, M.Sc
Credit Pictures: Deep Blue Sea Dive Center Sekotong