Caring for Alor’s Coral Reefs Through Participatory Rehabilitation and Local Collaboration
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Alor’s coral reefs have long been recognized as one of the marine ecosystems with high biodiversity in eastern Indonesia. However, like many other coastal areas, the condition of Alor’s coral reefs is not free from layered and gradual pressures, ranging from climate change and extreme oceanographic dynamics to human activities that are not yet fully environmentally friendly. On 15 December 2025, Nautika Foundation, together with the MPA management unit, carried out another coral planting activity as part of the marine ecosystem rehabilitation program in the Alor Islands Marine Park. This activity marked the second batch of participatory coral reef rehabilitation, following a similar initiative conducted in August.
Unlike short-term rehabilitation approaches, this activity was designed as a long-term process that places local communities as the main actors. One of the key field partners in this activity is the Bunga Bali Community Surveillance Group (Pokmaswas), which has played an important role in conservation area surveillance and monitoring, particularly in the waters around Alor Besar Village.
Strengthening Community Capacity to Safeguard Ecosystems
In the implementation of this rehabilitation effort, members of Pokmaswas Bunga Bali were not only involved as field workers but also engaged through a technical training process. They were equipped with an understanding of the basic principles of coral reef rehabilitation, the construction of rehabilitation structures, as well as the stages of coral planting and maintenance. The rehabilitation method applied was the Reef Star, a hexagonal steel structure designed to support coral fragments and create space for natural reef growth.
This structure allows water currents to flow freely, provides shelter for small marine organisms, and stabilizes the substrate in waters with strong current dynamics, such as those found in Alor. This approach is considered highly relevant to Alor’s marine conditions, which are known for strong and fluctuating currents. The Reef Star structure enables coral fragments to attach securely while minimizing the risk of being dislodged by waves or extreme currents.
Nursery Areas as a Long-Term Reef Recovery Strategy
The placement of rehabilitation structures was not carried out randomly. Activity sites were carefully selected and coordinated with the MPA management unit as designated maintenance locations or nursery areas. These areas function as initial coral growth centers, where fragments are maintained and monitored on a regular basis.
From these nursery areas, coral supply is expected to be developed to support recovery efforts at other degraded reef sites.
This approach positions coral reef rehabilitation as a sustainable system rather than a one-off planting activity at a single location.
Addressing Global Issues and Local Challenges
Amid various rehabilitation efforts carried out at the local level, the condition of coral reefs cannot be separated from global pressures. Climate change, rising sea surface temperatures, and increasingly extreme weather events have direct impacts on coral reef health in many parts of the world, including Indonesia.
“Pressure on coral reefs is not unique to Alor. There are much larger natural forces at play, such as climate change, that affect many regions around the world. Coral reefs are experiencing stress on a global scale,” said Haries Sukandar, Program Manager of Nautika Foundation.
According to him, challenges at the local level also remain significant, particularly in relation to community understanding of the sensitivity of coral reef ecosystems.
“In Alor itself, the understanding that coral reefs are sensitive and vulnerable ecosystems is not yet evenly shared. Yet, whatever we do in the ocean, no matter how small, has a direct impact on the health of the ecosystem.”
In this context, Haries continued, coral reef rehabilitation is not intended to serve as a single solution to offset the pace of global degradation. Rather, rehabilitation is seen as an important entry point for building awareness, improving local conditions, and safeguarding the remaining functions of the ecosystem.
“We may not be able to fully offset the global degradation of coral reefs. However, at the very least, we can take more conscious and responsible actions toward coral reefs themselves, whether on a small or large scale,” he added.
He added that an ecosystem health approach is key. Protecting the ocean requires collaborative efforts among all stakeholders through a pentahelix framework, involving coastal communities, government and area managers, universities and the academic sector, media as drivers of public narratives, as well as the private sector and supporting organizations.
The Role of Donations and Funding Transparency
The coral reef rehabilitation program in Alor has also received support from Nautika Dive Resort, as well as guests and visitors who voluntarily contribute through the Adopt the Reef Star program. This initiative invites individuals visiting Alor to take a more active role in protecting the marine environment they enjoy.
All contributions are managed transparently and disclosed openly through the official Nautika Foundation website, including a list of contributors and details on how the funds are allocated. Donations are used to support coral reef rehabilitation activities, maintenance of rehabilitation structures, and capacity building for Community Surveillance Groups (Pokmaswas) as key partners in conservation area protection.
To date, 90 Reef Star structures have been adopted by 21 adopters. This transparent approach is expected to build public trust while demonstrating that individual participation, no matter how small, can make a tangible contribution to safeguarding marine ecosystems.
Shaping the Way Forward
Institutionally, Nautika Foundation positioned 2024 as a foundational year, during which various approaches, methods, and partnerships were developed and tested. Entering 2025, the focus shifted toward aligning program objectives with key partners within the conservation area, ensuring that each intervention is consistent with area governance and the long-term needs of both ecosystems and coastal communities. Coral reef rehabilitation in Alor is understood as a long-term process that requires consistency, patience, and cross-sector collaboration.
The efforts undertaken today may not yet be able to reverse global degradation trends, but they represent an essential contribution to keeping marine ecosystems functioning and providing benefits for future generations.
