Breathing Life into Alor’s Sea: A Coral Reef Rehabilitation Collaboration with Pokmaswas Bunga Bali and the Alor Islands Marine Park Management Unit

Alor Besar, August 12, 2025 — The sea breeze mingled with conversation that afternoon in the courtyard of Nautika Dive Resort, Alor Besar. A dozen people sat in a circle. Their faces looked serious, yet the mood was often softened by laughter. On that day, Alor Besar was filled with a sense of togetherness. Here, a technical training on coral reef ecosystem rehabilitation was held. Members of the Bunga Bali Community Surveillance Group (Pokmaswas), students from Alor Besar Vocational School, local government staff, and the Nautika Foundation team all gathered with one purpose: to safeguard Alor’s sea for future generations.

The training began with a presentation on the current condition of Alor’s coral reefs. This region is not only vital to the lives of local communities but also an integral part of the Coral Triangle, the global epicenter of marine biodiversity. Yet, this wealth is not immune. Several sites in Alor show declining reef health due to destructive fishing practices and the impacts of climate change. The message was clear: seeing these conditions firsthand helps the community understand what is at stake, and what must be fought for—together.

From there, the discussion moved toward concrete action: designing a participatory rehabilitation plan with a long-term vision. Participants were reminded that rehabilitation is not just about “planting corals today,” but a long journey of ecosystem recovery. Many past failures happened because local communities lacked full involvement, access to knowledge, networks, and sustainable program schemes.

The training therefore covered detailed steps. The first phase was understanding citizen science methods, so participants could assess and select priority sites. Then came structure production, fragment collection, attachment techniques, transporting structures to the sea, and assembling them at a nursery site. Every step required precision—one small mistake could lower coral survival rates.

The training involved 6 members of Pokmaswas Bunga Bali, 3 students from Alor Besar Vocational School, 7 staff from the Alor Islands Marine Park Management Unit, and 4 facilitators from Nautika Foundation. The presence of the students, three spirited youths from Alor Besar Village named Ibrahim, Rivai, and Sultan, added a special touch. They eagerly took notes, asked questions, and directly practiced what they had just learned. “We want to learn, so we can help protect the sea,” said one student with conviction, knowing that they are the next generation to carry this initiative forward.

The following day, August 12, 2025, the group moved to the sea, specifically to Molugara, now developed as a coral nursery site. The day began with a prayer, followed by remarks from Haries Sukandar, program manager of Nautika Foundation; Anita Mozes, Head of Conservation at the Alor Islands Marine Park Management Unit; and Abdullah Djailani, head of Pokmaswas Bunga Bali. All emphasized that this effort must be a continuous collaboration, because protecting the sea is everyone’s duty. Safety briefings were also delivered to ensure procedures were followed properly.

We were blessed with perfect conditions. The sea at Molugara was calm, the sky bright. Underwater, divers focused on collecting coral fragments suitable for the site. Five divers : Haries, Dika, Afrian, Sandra, and Flin, carried out their tasks according to plan.

That day, there was also a special guest: Krisna, a visitor from Jakarta diving with Nautika Dive Alor. At first, he only came to watch. But his enthusiasm led him to roll up his sleeves and take part. Soon he was carrying coral fragments, tying them to a ReefStar structure he adopted, and placing it on the seabed. “This is my first time planting coral. It feels incredible, and I’ll always remember it,” he said with a satisfied smile back on land.

Coral reefs are the foundation of marine life, providing homes for thousands of species. For Alor’s coastal communities, healthy reefs mean abundant fish for fishermen, coastlines protected from erosion, and sustainable income through marine tourism. Yet corals are fragile. Fish bombs, poisons, ship anchors, and rising sea temperatures can destroy in moments what took centuries to build. “If not us, then who? Coral reefs are a trust we must preserve for our children,” one participant remarked.

This activity successfully installed 45 new ReefStar structures in Molugara. Each carried 15 coral fragments, a total of 675 fragments, that, over the years, are expected to grow into vibrant new reef habitats. But beyond the numbers, what truly mattered was the spirit of collaboration. Community members, students, government, conservationists, and even tourists were all connected in one ecosystem of care. “Alor’s sea cannot be protected by one group alone. We must work together, just like corals that grow in colonies,”. The involvement of the students showed that the younger generation is ready to take part. Meanwhile, Krisna’s participation proved that tourism can be part of the solution, not just a bystander.

Coral rehabilitation is not a one-day job. It requires monitoring, maintenance, and continuous support. Yet activities like this mark an important first step. Every ReefStar structure planted is not just steel on the seabed, but a symbol of hope, that Alor’s sea can recover, if protected together. Moreover, this program paves the way for sustainable livelihoods. Healthy reefs mean stronger marine tourism, while fishermen continue to catch fish without destructive practices. In the end, a healthy sea means a prosperous community.

As the sun set, the sea breeze blew gently, and the participants’ faces reflected satisfaction despite their fatigue. They knew that what they did that day might seem small, just planting coral. But in the long run, it is the best investment for Alor’s future.

Perhaps one day, when the children of Alor Besar dive in Molugara, they will find reefs vibrant with color and teeming with fish. And they will know that it all began on that afternoon of August 12, 2025, with laughter, hammers, and teamwork. Because the sea does not belong only to fishermen or divers, but to all of us.