Decrease Single-Used Plastic

Posted on April 26, 2024April 28, 2024 by Annabel Thomas

One Voice to a Global Movement to Decrease Single-Used Plastic

by Mardia, AMD-B’s 2023 Divemaster Internship

Plastic, a widely used material, has gained immense popularity due to its affordability, lightweight, and easy manufacturability. The past century has witnessed an exponential increase in plastic production, surpassing almost every other material. However, the alarming fact is a significant portion of plastic produced is intended for one-time use, resulting in an enormous amount of plastic waste.

An estimated 6,300 million tonnes of plastics have been discarded since the beginning of mass production in the 1950s. Approximately only 9% of plastic trash worldwide gets recycled, while 12% is incinerated. Due to its strong durability, most of these plastics are accumulating in either landfills or the natural environment.

The consequences of plastic waste are far-reaching, affecting both the ecosystem and the livelihoods of those who rely on them. Environmental effects range from short-term, such as animal entanglement, to long-term, such as harmful component bioaccumulation in the food chain.

Growing worry about the usage of single-use plastics can be seen all across the world. It is becoming abundantly evident that the contribution that each of us makes to the reduction of plastic waste is of the utmost importance as our understanding of the effect that our routine actions have on the environment expands.

What can one voice achieve in the face of such a large-scale problem?

Quite a lot, as it turns out. We can make a difference by reducing our use of single-use plastics and encouraging others to do the same. A single voice can become a powerful force when it joins with others in a common cause.

Simple actions such as using reusable shopping bags, refusing plastic cutlery, and drinking from reusable water bottles can significantly reduce our plastic footprint. We can also support businesses that prioritize sustainable packaging and participate in local clean-up efforts to remove plastic waste from our communities.

The issue of single-use plastic is daunting, but it is manageable. Each of us has the power to influence change through our daily actions and by raising our voices to advocate for sustainable practices. Remember, the journey to a plastic-free world begins with one voice – yours.

The Blue Project’s 2023 Recap of Activities

Posted on February 23, 2024February 23, 2024 by Annabel Thomas

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Year in Review: The Blue Project's 2023 Recap of Activities

by Mardia, AMD-B’s 2023 Divemaster Internship

Throughout 2023, the Blue Project has worked tirelessly on various activities to promote ocean conservation. In this post, we will provide a recap of the activities that we have accomplished. From monthly beach clean-ups to coral restoration efforts, school visits, community collaborations, webinars, and more, we have made significant strides in our mission to protect and preserve the ocean.

Monthly Beach Clean-up and Dive Against Debris

One of our recurring events is the Monthly Beach Clean-up and Dive Against Debris, which occurs every fourth day of the month. Before diving, we dedicate approximately 30 – 45 minutes to cleaning the beach in the coastal area of Padangbai. As of December, we have collected a total of 146.94 kgs of debris, including plastic cups, fragments, cigarette butts, lids, and other non-degradable materials. After the beach clean-up, we proceeded with the dive against debris at our adopted sites, the Jetty and Blue Lagoon area. So far, we have removed 162.325 kgs of debris from small pieces to the giant debris such as ghost fishing net. Plastic materials such as fragments, cups, and packaging are the most common debris.

Installed 45 Reef Stars and Coral Monitoring

In March, in collaboration with Livingseas, we installed the first twenty reef stars for coral restoration. Over the following months, we continued to install fifteen more reef stars on April and 10 units in May. bringing the total to 45 reef stars by May. Each reef star is planted with coral fragments (Acropora branching) and we have successfully restored 810 coral fragments.

Three School Visits at Local Schools around Bali

In 2023, we were privileged to visit three schools in Pejarakan (Buleleng), Gianyar, and Kuta to raise awareness about the ocean. In Pejarakan, we focused on the mangrove ecosystem and waste management due to the proximity of the environment to the mangroves. In Gianyar, our primary emphasis was turtle conservation and how waste can impact the ecosystem. Our last school visit was in Kuta, where we educated students on proper waste management, as the school is near our office.

Community Collaboration with Mangrove Nusantara and Saba Asri

To promote environmental awareness among students in Pejarakan Buleleng, we collaborated with Mangrove Nusantara to develop an engaging educational game to inspire the younger generation to become stewards of the ocean. This year, we also collaborated with Saba Asri Sea Turtle Conservation to provide some of the kids with an unforgettable experience by releasing sea turtles on Saba Beach.

Webinar: Spreading Conservation Message

We organised a series of webinars on Zoom to expand our reach and engage more individuals in our conservation efforts. We invited renowned marine biologists, conservationists, and ocean enthusiasts to share their valuable work and insights. Through these webinars, we aim to create a community of passionate individuals dedicated to preserving our marine ecosystems.

MARRS: A Revolutionary Technique for Restoring Coral Reefs

Posted on December 9, 2023December 14, 2023 by Annabel Thomas

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MARRS: A Revolutionary Technique for Restoring Coral Reefs

by Mardia, AMD-B’s 2023 Divemaster Internship

The Innovative Approach to Coral Reef Restoration

Coral reefs face numerous threats due to climate change, pollution, unsustainable fishing practices, and human activities. As a result, scientists and conservationists have been actively searching for innovative solutions to restore and preserve these invaluable ecosystems. Various techniques have been developed to increase coral cover on degraded reefs. However, scaling them up to large projects has proven challenging. However, one method that has shown promise is the Mars Assisted Reef Restoration System (MARRS).

AMD-B MARRS Structure Installation

Uncover the Educational Benefits of the MARSS Technique

The MARRS system consists of hexagonal-shaped structures known as “spiders” or “reef stars.” These structures are made of reinforcing steel rods coated with resin and coral sand to create an environment that encourages corals and other marine organisms to settle. The modular design of the MARRS system allows for flexibility in constructing artificial reef substrates that conform to the contours of existing reefs’ topography.

This restoration method is particularly effective in reef areas dominated by rubble, where the constantly shifting substrate hinders the settlement and growth of baby corals. The reef stars stabilize loose rubble and provide a platform for rapid coral growth and the development of a complete reef ecosystem. The success of the MARRS method has been demonstrated in the MARSS project on Badi Island of Spermonde Archipelago, Makassar. Within just three years, this heavily degraded area transformed into a thriving coral-dominated ecosystem. The live coral cover on the structures increased from less than 10% initially to over 60%, depending on depth, deployment date, location, and disturbances. Furthermore, this restoration site witnessed a threefold increase in fish population and a twofold increase in fish biomass.

AMD-B MARRS Structure

AMD-B’s Story

At AquaMarine, we have also adopted the MARRS method in our mini reef garden. This year alone, we have installed 45 reef stars and 810 coral fragments, contributing to the restoration and conservation of coral reefs. The MARRS system represents a significant advancement in coral reef restoration, offering a low-cost, rapid, and scalable solution. However, it is crucial to address the root causes of coral reef degradation, such as climate change, pollution, and unsustainable fishing practice, for long-term conservation.

The Mars Assisted Reef Restoration System (MARRS) is a game-changer in coral reef restoration. By providing a rapid and scalable solution, MARRS offers hope for the preservation and recovery of these invaluable ecosystems. However, it is essential to recognize that MARRS alone is not enough. We must raise awareness, support conservation efforts, and take individual actions to reduce our ecological footprint.

AMD-B Coral Reef Restoration Partner