Marine conservation in Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia
The east coast of Sulawesi lines the Banda Sea, the second most biodiverse marine area of Indonesia. But local threats remains high even within the boundaries of marine protected areas. These pictures are part of work done with the conservation organization Naturevolution and its local partners in the rich natural ecosystems of Southeast Sulawesi.
Left to right, 1st row: Coral formations in the relatively healthy and protected reefs located around Nirwana resort on Labengki island; Members of the NGO Naturevolution set fixed moorings to near the main beach of Labengki island in an attempt to preserve reefs from boats’ anchors; A local fisherman casts his net while barges carrying nickel ore cross the bay in the background. 2nd row: A bagan fishing platform said to come from South Sulawesi on the other side of the island and whom the local fishermen blame for dwindling fish catch; Flattened area of coral rubble, likely a result of bomb fishing, a highly destructive fishing method still practiced; A basket of sea shells containing some protected species on sale at one of jetty near Kendari where boats leave for the islands.
Pak Habib and the fight to protect giant clams
If Sulawesi is a biodiversity hotspot, it is even more so for giant clams, the oceans’ largest bivalve molluscs, with 8 species found locally out of a total of 13 (genera Tridacna and Hippopus). Yet giant clams, despite enjoying the highest level of protection in Indonesia, are easy prey for poachers. Pak Habib, a native of Southeast Sulawesi, set himself on a life mission to preserve Sulawesi’s giant clams, setting up the Toli Toli Giant Clam Conservation organization and enlisting the local Bajau communities into a project of relocating larger individuals to areas where they can be effectively protected.
Left to right, 1st row: Fluted giant clam (Tridacna Squamosa) near the village of Labengki; Pak Habib sitting on the crates containing specimens of Kima Boe or ‘water clam’, a potential new species or subspecies found locally; The headquarters of Toli Toli Giant Clam Conservation. 2nd row: Pak Habib after a routine dive on one of the giant clam relocation sites; Small giant clam (Tridacna Maxima) to the south of Labengki island; Toli Toli’s ‘Giant clam museum’, located in the headquarters of the organization, is used to raise awareness about the species and the needs to protect the marine environment among locals, school children and university students alike.
The Crown-of-thorns starfish issue
The Crown-of-thorns (Acanthaster planci) is a species of corallivore starfish native to the reefs of the Indo-Pacifc at a very low population density – a few individuals per hectare. However, under certain circumstances not yet fully understood by researchers nor easily identifiable, crown-of-thorns starfish (COTS) can proliferate into population outbreaks ranging from dozens to tens of thousands individuals. The resulting predation on corals can lead to up to 80% of coral mortality within 6 months. Under normal circumstances, a reef could recover in 15 to 25 years, but in the current era of multiple anthropogenic pressures, reefs present a risk of not being able to recover. The following pictures were taken when surveying with local freedivers and preparing for a COTS outbreaks mitigation project.
Left to right, 1st row: Hendra looks for crown-of-thorns starfish at the reef drop-off; A large adult crown-of-thorns; The COTS survey team looks for a suitable anchoring spot among the fringing reef. 2nd row: An adult crown-of-thorns preying on a stony coral; Staghorn corals are a typical prey for crown-of-thorns, who play an important role in regulating these fast-growing corals against slower growing corals. The lower part is colonized by other organisms, a sign coral polyps have died either from predation or disease, whereas the upper part is recovering; Lunch break during the mission. 3rd row: Memed and Rifan, spearfishing enthusiats from the freediving club Team Spearo Kendari; Mail, boat captain from nearby Molawe village; Cluster of crown-of-thorns starfish feeding on mushroom corals. This number of COTS qualifies as an outbreak.
