LET'S BUILD A REEF!!!

Ever dreamed of having your own tropical coral reef?

© WWF-Indonesia

BuildReef is an eco-tourism program designed by WWF project in Ujung Kulon National Park that can serve many purposes such as:

• Enhancing ecosystem by placing human-made structure known as artificial reef. In many places, artificial reefs are recognized as a feasible means for enhancing marine ecosystem, increasing fishery potential, and improving tourism prospects.


• Attaching soft coral colonies to the structures to attract fishes and other organisms to ensure that the coral reef recovery take place. Soft coral colonies are taken from people's farm to ensure that the wild coral population is not harmed for BuildReef activity


• Improving tourism potential for the area, as tourism can bring potential income for local people

© WWF-Indonesia

In this program divers are invited to help install and stabilize the artificial reef structures called "racks". Racks are made of concrete with bamboo reinforcement embedded in the structure. One rack weighs approximately 100 kg to ensure fixation in BuildReef location. For this purpose, the racks have been pre-installed, but divers will be required to strengthen these racks further into the substrate (sand) in BuildReef area.

© WWF-Indonesia

The next step is choosing coral colonies to be attached to the racks. Coral colonies are attached to a mini substrate. This will ensure that the colonies are glued to the rack structures. Basket with coral colonies will be placed in a distance from the racks to prevent damage to the coral colonies during fixing and strengthening racks process. Divers will swim to the coral baskets, bring two colonies back to the racks and attach them to racks. It is recommended that diver bring only two colonies each time to prevent friction between colonies. Total of 24 racks and 600 coral colonies need to be installed in this trip. Throughout the process the water can get murky, but the dive master will oversee the activity and ensure the safety of all divers involved.

© WWF-Indonesia

After a while, the newly built reef will be ready for the visitation. BuildReef divers will be the ones to visit this reef, and observe the handy work they've done throughout the weekend. Furthermore, BuildReef divers will be asked to name this new reef. The coordinate location of this reef, along with the reef name will be recorded. A certificate will then be produced and sent out to BuildReef divers. This is not a certificate of ownership, but it will state that the individual is involved in the installment of the reef.