PADI Sea Slugs & Nudi Awareness Specialty

Sea Slugs & Nudi Awareness Specialty

There are over 3,000 species of sea slugs and nudibranchs worldwide, with new species being identified all the time. The Indo-Pacific region, including Bali, is one of the richest areas in the world for nudibranch diversity. Researchers have found nearly 2,000 species in this region alone, with hotspots like Raja Ampat, Bunaken, and Tulamben recognized for their variety of sea slugs.

AquaMarine Diving – Bali (AMD-B) is offering the PADI Sea Slugs & Nudi Awareness Specialty, where you will learn general knowledge about sea slugs and nudibranchs and their fascinating traits.

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What You Will Learn

In this course, you will enhance your general knowledge of sea slugs and nudibranchs while learning about their morphology, physiology, reproductive habits, and lifecycle. You will also explore their key features, habitats, diets, and the important role they play in the aquatic ecosystem. With some nudibranch populations declining due to environmental pressures, this course emphasizes the need for conservation efforts to protect these colourful creatures.

Our instructors are skilled at helping you identify the different species found in Bali’s waters, making sure that you can recognize both common and rare nudibranchs.

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Practice What You Learn

You can make the decision to only learn the theory or if you would like to have a first hand experience to observe these fascinating creatures in their natural habitat, and we will take you to Tulamben Bay, home to the 120m USAT Liberty Shipwreck applying everything you’ve learned.

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Exclusively available at AquaMarine Diving – Bali (because we wrote it!), the PADI Indonesia Sea Slugs and Nudibranchs Awareness Distinctive Specialty will answer all those wiggly-niggly questions you have 🙂

Boosting Marine Life and Conservation Effort

Boosting Marine Life and Conservation Effort

by Fahmi, AMD-B’s 2024 Divemaster Internship

Artificial reefs are man-made structures that help restore marine ecosystems. They provide places for corals to grow, attract fish, and support overall marine biodiversity. By mimicking natural reef environments, these structures help restore areas where coral reefs are damaged or missing.

Artificial-Reefs

How Artificial Reef Work

Corals need the right space to grow—they require enough sunlight, suitable temperatures, and the proper minerals to thrive. Naturally, corals will spread to open spaces, but this process takes a long time and relies on perfect conditions.

Coral reproduction happens in two main ways: sexually and asexually. In sexual reproduction, fertilized coral eggs (or larvae) drift and settle in open spaces, but they need ideal conditions—plenty of sunlight and no obstructions—for this to happen. Asexual reproduction occurs through fragmentation, where pieces of coral break off and grow independently. This is where artificial reefs come into play.

By planting coral fragments on artificial structures, we give corals a “jump-start” in their growth, reducing their vulnerability in the early stages. The rough surfaces of artificial reefs also provide excellent places for sexually reproduced corals to attach and grow, offering a stable environment for both types of coral reproduction. This helps speed up the recovery process and supports the overall health of the reef ecosystem.

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What Happens After Installation

The impact of artificial reefs can be seen quickly. Fish are often attracted to the new structures within hours, swimming around and using the spaces for shelter. After a few weeks, you’ll notice algae, sponges, coralline algae, and even anemones starting to grow on the surfaces. Fish may also begin to protect the area as their territory.

Over time, the artificial reef becomes more complex, offering shelter, feeding grounds, and even breeding spaces for different species. This encourages a diverse range of marine life to thrive, making artificial reefs an important part of marine conservation efforts.

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Artificial Reef in Bali

Artificial reefs in Bali are planned and developed by various groups, including NGOs, the government, local villages, and businesses. These structures come in all shapes and sizes, with some specifically designed to support coral restoration, while others serve as tourist attractions.

For example, in Amed, you’ll find pyramid-shaped artificial reefs alongside unique designs like the “Post Office” and “Temple.” Padangbai features hexagonal structures, small boats, and cube-like formations that enhance marine habitats.

In Tulamben, the USAT Liberty Shipwreck, though not intentionally planned as an artificial reef, has transformed into a thriving ecosystem, attracting divers from around the world. In Nusa Penida, a technique known as the “rope method” involves hanging corals on ropes, providing protection from predators and promoting faster growth.

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Nyepi Segara

Nyepi Segara: The Silent Sea Day

by Mardia, AMD-B’s 2023 Divemaster Internship

Nyepi Segara, also known as Silent Sea Day, is a traditional ritual in Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan, and Nusa Ceningan, Bali, Indonesia. This unique ritual pays homage to Dewa Baruna, the ruler of the sea and one of the manifestations of the Balinese Hindu almighty god, Ida Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa (a.k.a Acintya), God of gods. This ritual aims to promote the conservation of the sea and maintain the balance of the ecosystem and marine biodiversity. With the meaning of silence and stillness, Nyepi Segara is a significant event that shows the importance of preserving the environment and respecting local wisdom and traditions.

One of the primary purposes of Nyepi Segara is to allow the sea to rest from all human activities for an entire day. All sea activities, including transportation, fishing, and all tourism-related activities such as scuba diving, freediving, snorkelling, walking on the beach and swimming are halted on the islands. This temporary pause in human interference enables the sea’s ecosystem to rejuvenate and maintain its natural balance.

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Honoring the Silent Sea Day in Nusa Penida, Lembongan, and Ceningan

The implementation of Nyepi Segara involves the active participation of the local community and the government. This practice starts at 6:00 a.m. and lasts for 24 hours; the government and tourism stakeholders work together to ensure that tourists comply with the appeal to refrain from using the sea for any activities during this time. Meanwhile, the people of Nusa Penida, Lembongan, and Ceningan engage in collective activities related to religious rituals to pay their respect to Dewa Baruna and express gratitude for the blessings provided by the sea.

Nyepi Segara, the Silent Sea Day, is a highly significant and cherished ritual deeply rooted in the culture of Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan, and Nusa Ceningan, Bali. This unique and sacred tradition holds immense value. It is a powerful symbol of their deep connection to the marine environment and their relentless efforts to maintain the delicate balance of marine biodiversity. Nyepi Segara serves as a gentle yet impactful reminder for all of us to be more conscious and mindful of our actions toward the environment. It reminds us to appreciate and cherish the abundance provided by the sea, which sustains the lives and livelihoods of the local community, and the incredible beauty and diversity of the marine ecosystem.

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