Author: Trinity (travel blogger http://naked-traveler.com/)

The fifth and sixth days of diving around Koon Island were for research on SPAGs (Spawning Aggregation Sites - aka fish mating grounds). Unfortunately, I was not allowed to watch the SPAGs data collection process. Fish mating sites are very important to know for the survival of fish species and must be maintained so that fish continue to produce so that the number of fish increases. Because of this importance, only researchers are allowed to go down to collect data.

As a result, SPAGs did occur at the site, including snapper, GT (Giant Trevally), bumphead, barracuda, and platax. It turns out that the process of fish mating is complicated. Of the many fish in the sea, researchers must know the behavior of fish. Apparently there are those who group first, there are those who immediately pair up, there are females with distended bellies, there are fish that change color, there are fish that spray eggs and sperm outside to be fertilized (which are often eaten by other fish).

Luckily, I was able to join the "land team", namely Dirga and Witha who observed the ecology on Koon Island. I had been begging to be allowed to go ashore on Koon Island since this expedition is called Koon, how could I not set foot on the island? I immediately jumped into the rubber boat. Mr. Budi and Bang Sam from the Navy and Terry blogger also participated.

Around 10am on a sunny day, Koon Island looked beautiful in the distance. But 200 meters before going ashore, the water was low so the rubber boat could not enter. Bang Sam pulled our boat with a rope. Terry and I immediately ran to some sand bars to take pictures.

The scenery was beautiful with turqoise-colored water, small white sand islands, blue sky. On one embossed sand, white seagulls gathered, making the scenery very surreal. Before I knew it, the tide was coming in. I trudged back on foot. While the team went around the island researching, I chose to swim in the sea.

Every night we all gathered in the meeting room to "do our homework" which was to fill in the fish/nest data, but soon the meeting room turned into a movie theater. From watching, it gradually turned into a mass bed with the sound of loud snoring.

Finally, on the afternoon of April 23, 2016, the Menami sailed back to Ambon. While we were having fun watching the movie, suddenly a rainstorm came! The atmosphere of the meeting room was randomly wet. Electronic devices were turned off. Not losing our minds, we filled in the TTS manually. However, the waves were getting higher and the ship was rocking so hard that some participants vomited. Everyone saved themselves and their belongings, crammed into the dining room because the downstairs bedroom was very cramped. I ended up sneaking to sleep in the VIP room, which is the captain's room.

The waves stopped as the ship approached Ambon Bay the next morning. There was a lot of plastic waste floating in the sea, which made us sad. The signal that had been missing for a week came again. One by one, mojok made a phone call. In front of the Red and White Bridge, we took another group photo. We applauded after the Menami ship finally docked at LIPI Harbor, Ambon.

It was an unforgettable experience. I learned a lot from all the people I didn't know before, but now I feel like my own brother. I also love Indonesia's nature more and more and am determined to preserve it, especially fish and coral reefs. Thank you, WWF!

(finished)