At last people are starting to acknowledge a little known project called "Biorock"

Jakarta Post Bali Biorock Article

As the Jakarta Post deletes stories quickly, I have pasted it below for future reference.

I can proudly say I was also the sponsor and instigator of a Biorock project in Bali like the one in Pemuteran. I do not know the state of the project now of course.

JP article text:

Bali coral reefs get zapped with electricity in creative fight against global warming
PEMUTERAN BAY, Indonesia (AP) - Just a few years ago, the lush coral reefs off Bali island were dying out, bleached by rising temperatures, blasted by dynamite fishing and poisoned by cyanide. Now they are coming back, thanks to an unlikely remedy: electricity.

The coral is thriving on dozens of metal structures submerged in the bay and fed by cables that send low-voltage electricity, which conservationists say is reviving it and spurring greater growth.

As thousands of delegates, experts and activists debate climate at a conference that opened this week on Bali, the coral restoration project illustrates the creative ways scientists are trying to fight the ill effects of global warming.

The project - dubbed Bio-Rock - is the brainchild of scientist Thomas Goreau and the late architect Wolf Hilbertz. The two have set up similar structures in some 20 countries, but the Bali experiment is the most extensive.

Goreau said the Pemuteran reefs off Bali's northwestern shore were under serious assault by 1998, victims of rising temperatures and aggressive fishing methods by impoverished islanders, such as stunning fish with cyanide poison and scooping them up with nets.

"Under these conditions, traditional (revival) methods fail," explained Goreau, who was in Bali presenting his research at the U.N.-led conference. "Our method is the only one that speeds coral growth."

Some say the effort is severely limited.

Rod Salm, coral reef specialist with the Nature Conservancy, said while the method may be useful in bringing small areas of damaged coral back to life, it has very limited application in vast areas that need protection.

"The extent of bleaching ... is just too big," Salm said. "The scale is enormous and the cost is prohibitive."

Others note the Bali project is mostly dependent on traditionally generated electricity, a method that itself contributes to global warming. Goreau himself concedes it has yet to attract significant financial backing.

Nonetheless, scientists agree that coral reefs are an especially valuable - and sensitive - global environmental asset. They provide shorelines with protection from tides and waves, and host a stunning diversity of plant and sea life.

Goreau's method for reviving coral is decidedly low-tech, if somewhat unorthodox.

It has long been known that coral that breaks off the reef can be salvaged and restored if it can somehow be reattached.

What Goreau's Bali project has done is to construct metal frames, often in the shape of domes or greenhouses, and submerge them in the bay. When hooked up to a low-voltage energy source on the shore, limestone - a building block of reefs - naturally gathers on the metal. Workers then salvage coral that has broken from damaged reefs and affix it to the structure.

Goreau and his supporters say the electricity spurs the weakened coral to revival and greater growth.

"When they get the juice, they are not as stressed," said Rani Morrow-Wuigk, an Australian-German woman who rents bungalows on the beach and has supported efforts to save the reefs for years.

And indeed, the coral on the structures appear vibrant. Supporters say they have rebounded with impressive vigor. The coral in Pemuteran teems with clownfish, damselfish and other colorful tropical animals.

Funding, however, is a major problem. There are some 40 metal structures growing coral in Pemuteran Bay and about 100 cables laid to feed them with electricity, but only about a third of the wires are working because of maintenance problems and the cost of running them, said Morrow-Wuigk.

The electrification program is part of a wider effort in the bay to save the coral.

Chris Brown, an Australian diving instructor who has lived in Bali for 17 years, said he and other people determined to save the reefs have had a long struggle driving away fishermen who use dynamite and other coral-destroying methods to maintain their livelihoods.

He said a key has been demonstrating to shoreline communities the benefits of coral reef maintenance, such as growing fish stocks and jobs catering to tourists who come to dive in the area.

Brown has participated in Goreau's projects, and won funding from the Australian government to set up a Bio-Rock structure electrified by solar panels fixed on a floating off-shore platform.

Brown has also used seed money from Canberra to establish the Reef Gardeners of Pemuteran, which trains islanders to dive, maintain the solar-paneled coral structure and clean the reefs of harmful animals.

Kadek Darma, 25, a Balinese who has worked with Brown for two years, said the advantages of the corals to the local economy were obvious.

"They attract the tourists, and more tourists means more jobs," he said. "I hope we can all keep maintaining the reefs for our great-great grandchildren."

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We were in Pemuteran in October and really enjoyed snorkelling around the reef a several times. The reef really regenerated since I first saw it in 2002. The spotting of a "manta" ray was a highlight. So good to be able to step from the sand outside your "hotel" and slide into the warm Bali Sea to swim and enjoy the reef and what it now offers. Pemuteran is a great place to spend a few relaxed days. Happy to talk to anyone who is thinking of heading there, have now stayed at all 3 "hotels". Cheers all, and soon I will get down and "dirty" about our latest experiences in Bali, mainly Ubud.

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Hello - My husband and I are planning our second trip to Bali 2 weeks this time. Last year, we spent most of our time in Ubud and a few days in Jimbaran before heading out of Bali. Now we are thinking about a few days in Ubud, Amed and Pemuteran. I havea few questiosn:
- About Ubud, Tegal Sari being unfortunately booked, am thinking of Alam shanti (are they similar enough? will we be pleased?).
- About Permuteran, you seem to know all the hotels: the Pondok Sari is getting poor reviews these days. What is the difference between Taman Sari, Reef view Bungalows and Taman Selini?
Also I have heard that it is costly to get there (either from Ubud or Amed, not sure which order yet)? Should I be renting a car instead?
Thanks!

Hi! - regarding Pemuteran I do not know Reef View Bungalows but have always stayed in the 3 that are side by side, left to right - Taman Sari, Pondok Sari & Taman Selini. My pick of the 3 is Taman Sari for a few reasons - best restaurant, best setting for breakfasts, price, pool and the grounds. At Taman Sari we had an ocean view room and it was comparable with Taman Selini. In my opinion Pondok Sari has been over developed and the grounds feel crowded with too many units too close to each other.

Having said that you wouldn't be disappointed with any of the 3 but you may wish you has stayed at Taman Sari or Taman Selini once you get there.

Each of the properties has a different style of restaurant. Whilst they are all basically Indo they have influences - Taman Sari, Thai - Pondok Sari, Indo - Taman Selini - Greek. You are able to move about the 3 for meals but need to pay cash when eating away from your own hotel. There is a fourth property up the beach a little which is also connected with the Taman Sari and the accommodation seems to be quite pricey but is more bungalow/small house accommodation, many of the units being privately owned and rented out when the owners aren't using them. This property has a restaurant as well which is very nice and from memory has a European influence.

It is all good!

Transport to Pemuteran from Ubud by private driver is around rp 350,000 if arranged in Ubud. If you plan to come from Amed I would ask the hotel for a price to pick you up there. Conversely I would ask your hotel in Amed how much to take you to Pemuteran and compare. All of the hotels in Pemuteran will pick up from Ubud for a price. I would still do that rather than hire and drive. If you haven't been over the top to the North coast by road you will understand once you have done it!

David

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Smile and the world you are travelling in will smile back at you