AGUNG BALI NIRWANA North Bali Villas BioRock Project

Indonesian ministry of fisheries sponsored program

Coral reefs are among the most biologically diverse ecosystems on the planet. What you see (picture) left is the profusion of coral growing off our submerged coral protect structure after just one year (we have also seen a 2 fold increase in fish)! And this despite the fact sea temperatures have risen, which means that coral in other areas have suffered enormously.

Outstanding examples of our biological and natural heritage, coral reefs are an important asset to local communities serving as a source of seafood, providing materials for new medicines, generating income from tourism, and buffering coastal cities and settlements from storm damage.

Yet, in just a few decades, human activities have devastated many of these biologically rich, ancient ecosystems. Many people joke about the people of Nusa Dua, Sanur and Tanjung Benoa in Bali saying "Has anyone seen our beach?!". Where vast swathes of beach have washed away due to the destruction of the coral reef system in those areas. In the next few decades, more are destined for destruction around the world. However, some people today are beginning to realize that the self-healing powers of reef ecosystems are beginning to wear out and it's high time for active support.

The, Biorock™ method gives rise to great hopes it's not yet too late for that. And on the 21st December 2002, a team from the Indonesian Ministry of Fisheries sponsored coral and fisheries project started work in conjunction with Villas Agung Bali Nirwana in the waters directly offshore of the resort.

The project involved the building and submerging of a large (around 15 foot in diameter) steel, cage-like structure which resembles a pizza oven! Through this structure, a low (6 amp) electric current is passed, which causes a fast calcium build up on the metal surfaces and creates the ideal pH for coral growth. These conditions also help compensate for sometimes fatal changes in sea temperature. Also, the electric current / calcium build up prevents the structure from rusting. Although Agung Bali Nirwana is blessed with a superb, living coral reef anyway. Corals are still under threat from rising sea temperatures, storm damage and bad fishing practices.

Corals transplanted onto the structures attract high densities of all type of fish. All corals used in the project are broken pieces found nearby where they would be damaged by rolling or sedimentation. They would sooner or later die if not rescued and attached to the nursery structures. Broken corals are collected from the sea floor and attached with wires to the structure. Very quickly, calcium carbonate naturally reinforces the corals attachment to these structures.

Without needing so much of their own energy to create a calcareous skeleton, each coral polyp can put more energy into growth and reproduction. These corals show exceptionally high growth rates and also thrive even when water quality conditions have deteriorated to the point of killing surrounding corals.

Not only corals profit from the BioRock™ technology. Great varieties of fishes, also commercially relevant species like snappers, are attracted to these sheltered habitats. The increased fish population can restock the surrounding waters and help to improve the conditions for the local fishermen.

The BioRock™ structure you see above is what it looked like after the team had just finished the initial installation stage. Based on experience with other BioRock™ structures elsewhere in the world, very soon the structure and the area surrounding it will be teaming with coral growth and fish. Further enhancing the already superb reef / fish life in front of our villas.

We are doing to this as our responsibility to future generations, and because it makes us feel good. But of course, our guests have the added benefit of being able to look forward to some of the very best offshore snorkeling and diving in Bali.

2010 UPDATE: A recent storm broke apart the BioRock Cage and it now lies scattered across the bottom, but we are pleased to see that many of the coral formations have survived and are thriving.