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

I suddenly received an invitation from WWF Indonesia to join an expedition to Koon Island in East Seram Regency, Maluku province (#XPDCKOON). The purpose of this expedition was to collect ecological, social and tourism data on the Koon conservation area. As a lover of exotic islands and diving, I immediately agreed. Especially being able to see first-hand how marine scientists work directly.

There were 15 people who joined the Koon expedition from WWF Indonesia assisted by Terangi, the Marine & Fisheries Agency, and 2 travel bloggers namely me and Terry from @negerikitaID. The expedition was held from April 13-25, 2016, using WWF's Menami Ship which was sent from Wakatobi.

Due to another work in Lampung, I could only follow on April 14, 2016 scheduled by plane route Jakarta-Ambon-Langgur. From Langgur, I will use WWF's speed boat to Koon. Just about to board the plane at Pattimura Airport in Ambon to Langgur, I received a call from WWF saying that I should get off the plane because the Menami boat was still in Ambon. I followed her to Ambon's LIPI harbor.

Luckily, I was still able to join the one-day workshop for all expedition participants on board the Menami. The workshop included quick survey procedures and data management. Three times a day there were coral and fish tests! I found out that there are many types of coral. Hard corals alone are divided into Acropora and Non Acropora. Each of them is divided into branching, encrusting, submassive, and others.

As for the fish exam, it is divided between fish identification and fish size. The classroom sounded like the language of Asterix & Obelix as they referred to the fish species in Latin! I, who only knew baronang fish, kuwe fish, grouper fish, was still wrong because each fish family has different species - so it is mandatory to memorize the two-word Latin name because it includes the genus. Most of the participants, who have marine degrees and work for NGOs in marine conservation, left me shaking my head.

The only thing I was able to participate in was the fish length test. Length is calculated from the tip of the face to the tip of the tail. It turns out that not all fish are targeted for research. Reef fish under 10 cm were not counted. The categories of fish that were counted were "small fish" with a size of 10-35 cm and "big fish" with a size of 35 cm and above. The species are also specific, only those that are considered economically valuable and have important ecological functions.

There is also research on the Index of Diving Tourism Suitability (IKW), such as water brightness, coral cover, types of life forms, current speed, and others. Also SPAG (Spawning Aggregation) data collection which means researching mating fish! Plus Charismatic Animal research, meaning turtles, sharks, whales - I don't know why they're called "charismatic". In addition to underwater data collection, there was also social research in the form of interviews with fishermen on nearby islands.

Unfortunately, due to a problem with the ship's license, we were stuck in Ambon for 3 nights. After the workshop, we had a free day for shopping at the mall and market. I myself invited some participants to travel to Liang Beach, Tulehu Ball Village, and Natsepa Beach. Luckily, I also met a friend in Ambon who was kind enough to lend me a fan... because the bedroom on board Menami was very hot!

Speaking of the Menami, this wooden ship is 22.8 x 5 meters long. On the bridge is the wheelhouse, crew room and meeting room. On the deck there is a sitting area, dining room, kitchen and two bathrooms. On the lower deck are two large rooms containing 4 bunkbeds (8 beds) which are the expedition participants' rooms and the engine room. Being downstairs with no windows and near the engine room, the rooms were stuffy and hot - hence most of the guys chose to sleep on the outside chairs. The point is, 15 participants + 3 members of the Navy + 7 crew members in such a small ship there is no place to be alone because 4L (Lu-Lagi-Lu-Lagi)!

Long story short, on April 17, 2016 at 10 am we set off eastward. Twenty-six boring hours later, we finally arrived at Gorom Island. A speed boat from Kei had arrived to assist with the research. We are divided into two dive teams using a speed boat and a rubber boat. The Koon expedition has begun!