By Masayu Yulien Vinanda

In an effort to rehabilitate the condition of coral reefs in the Regional Marine Conservation Area (KKLD) of Badul Island, Pandeglang Regency, Banten, 2500 soft coral colonies were planted in the water area. The activity entitled "Build Your Own Reef VI" held on December 1-3, 2011 was a collaboration between WWF-Indonesia Banten Office and DKP Pandeglang supported by PT Danareksa.

As the title implies, this rehabilitation activity is a series of 5 previous similar activities that have been intensified by WWF in Badul Island MPA since 2007. To date, 5,550 coral colonies have been planted on the island.

Build Your Own Reef applies the coral transplantation method as an effort to restore the coral reef ecosystem in Badul Island MPA. Uniquely, this activity also involves local communities who are members of the Paniis Lestari (PANLES) group in Taman Jaya Village, Sumur District, Pandeglang Regency, Banten. This group is actively conducting coral reef rehabilitation activities on the island. In fact, the coral seeds used in this activity were also cultivated by the group.

Build Your Own Reef VI has successfully planted 2,500 soft coral colonies with 100 units of racks made of concrete placed on the location of damaged coral reefs and placed on the substrate at a depth of 6 - 9 meters.

Participants were also invited to take a close look at the soft coral cultivation business carried out by the Paniis Lestari group as a real example of local community awareness of preserving the natural resources around them. .

"In addition to accelerating the rehabilitation of surrounding coral reefs, Build Your Own Reef is also expected to be an alternative source of income for local communities through the provision of cultivated coral seeds, making concrete shelves, substrate media, installing concrete shelves, and planting corals," explained Andre Crespo, Coastal and Ecotourism Officer of WWF-Indonesia Banten office.

For six months after planting, the WWF team and the Paniis Lestari group routinely conduct monthly monitoring to monitor the survival rate and growth of corals, fish habitat around the planting site, water conditions, and patchwork if needed. Patchwork or replanting is done if dead coral colonies are found in the substrate media.

The first month is the most vulnerable phase. After that, coral colonies begin to grow and develop. In general, for 3 months, coral growth can reach 15 cm.

Six months after planting, the team from PT Danareksa is also planned to participate in monitoring activities with divers from WWF and local community groups.