Rainforests of the Sea

For the preservation and rehabilitation of reefs in the heart of the coral triangle

Project :

Rainforests of the Sea

The “Rainforests of the sea” project aims to preserve and rehabilitate endangered coral reefs in the southeast of the island of Sulawesi in Indonesia, thereby ensuring the biological diversity essential to the food security of coastal populations. To this end, awareness-raising and lobbying activities, ecological monitoring and a coral reef restoration program will be carried out.

Protecting coral reefs_Coral photos

A catastrophic context

Coral reefs produce 2/3 of the air we breathe and are home to 25% of our planet’s marine biodiversity. Those on the large Indonesian island of Sulawesi, at the heart of the Coral Triangle, are the richest and most diverse . Unfortunately, they are now extremely threatened.

Rising ocean temperatures, fishing with explosives and cyanide, overfishing, excessive soil erosion linked to nickel extraction, plastic pollution and the proliferation of Acanthasters (an invasive, coral-eating starfish), have all contributed to the decline of the coral reef. dramatic consequences on marine ecosystems and the well-being of the local population. The disappearance of coral reefs leads to the depletion of fish stocks , jeopardizing the long-term food and economic resources of local populations, as well as accelerating coastal erosion.

On the southeast coast of the island of Sulawesi, made up of a string of rocky paradise islets,accelerating tourism development and the presence of the island’s richest nickel deposits directly upstream from the coral reefs are adding to the pressures exerted on this unique environment. Marine areas are indeed “protected”, but managers are woefully under-resourced and responses to the various threats to ecosystems are largely inadequate, if not non-existent.

Coral reef protection preserve and rehabilitate

“Preserve and rehabilitate endangered coral reefs on the southeastern island of Sulawesi, through ecological monitoring and a coral reef restoration program.”

our objectives

  • Influencing decision-makers in favor of tourism development and sustainable management of fish stocks
  • Raising awareness of sustainable fishing methods among local communities
  • Strengthening local capacities for natural resource management
  • Obtaining a voluntary commitment from local communities to protect the coastline
  • Rehabilitating degraded reefs by promoting coral regeneration
  • Preserving marine biodiversity
  • Ensuring food security for coastal populations
  • Regular monitoring of coral reef health
  • Combating the proliferation of Acanthasters, an invasive, coral-eating starfish

Our method

Our environmental mediators will be on hand with locals and tourists to pass on general ecological knowledge (the role of coral reefs, the impact of global warming and plastic pollution, etc.) and to change practices (fishing with dynamite or cyanide, unauthorized anchoring, waste, sun creams, etc.).

Lobbying will be carried out at all political levels. in order to urge mining companies to comply with current regulations (in particular, the systematic construction of sediment retention basins and the restoration of degraded natural areas), the fishing industry to respect official quotas (duration, scope and quantity) and, finally, the relevant authorities to promote reasoned and virtuous tourism, as well as the extension and reinforcement of marine protected areas.

Ecological monitoring of the coral reefs will be carried out, along with a coral nursery and transplantation program to restore damaged areas.

A team of divers trained in emergency intervention against Acanthasters will be assembled and will be able to travel to threatened sites.

The impact of plastic pollution is addressed by our project Refuse plastic .

Coral reef protection awareness

“Awareness-raising and lobbying activities are in place”.

our Needs

An initial contribution covering the purchase of a boat and all the necessary equipment, as well as the financing of an “Acanthaster” training course, is an essential prerequisite for the successful completion of this project.

More regular funding is also essential to pay the salaries of the local team and the project manager appointed to coordinate all the planned actions.

Funding scale :

  • animator’s salary: €3,000 / year
  • project boat: €10,000
  • restoration of 100m2 of reef: €36,000 (includes salaries, materials, training and travel expenses)
Protecting coral reefs_Dive photo

Beneficiaries

This project will directly benefit :

  • 6 Naturevolution Indonesia employees are in charge of developing this project (1 project manager, 1 assistant diver, 1 advocacy officer, 2 environmental coordinators, 1 boat captain);
  • 10 local “emergency” divers who will receive “Acanthasters” training and remuneration for each operation;
  • Around 5,000 people in ten villages along the southeast coast of Sulawesi will benefit not only from the awareness campaigns, but above all from the preservation of the natural resources on which they depend.

“Ensuring the biological diversity essential to the food security of coastal populations.”

Protecting coral reefs biodiversity

Why support us?

You would like to :

  • help preserve marine biodiversity
  • contribute to improving the use of natural resources
  • help combat food insecurity
  • help restore a coral reef
Protecting coral reefs_Photo dead corals

Who are we?

Since 2014, Naturevolution has been working in Sulawesi to preserve karst ecosystems that are exceptionally rich in biodiversity.

In order to respond to the threats facing this region, its biodiversity and its people, the association – in conjunction with local authorities and communities, as well as a network of scientific institutions and conservationists – is implementing the following measures a wide range of initiatives from the creation of protected areas to waste management, awareness-raising, advocacy, the restoration of degraded forest and coral ecosystems, scientific research and the development of income-generating activities.

Protecting coral reefs_Photo bateau

Our supporters

Nomade Aventure
Humy logo

We are still looking for funds to complete and extend this project. Help us make it happen with a donation!

Project updates