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Community Engagement

motto-indocoral

Community Management

We believe lasting change begins at the local level. We focus on practical conservation and education through coral restoration, reef monitoring, and outreach. Our efforts include working with the local school on Gili Air, collaborating with Lombok Mataram University, and offering courses to tourists interested in marine ecology.

Local School Program

Weekly Classes for 5th Graders

Every week, we deliver interactive education sessions to 5th-grade students on Gili Air. These classes cover marine life, pollution awareness, and civic responsibility, helping young learners understand the importance of protecting their island’s natural heritage. Our goal is to inspire curiosity, responsibility, and pride in the next generation of ocean guardians.

University Collaboration

Internships with the University of Mataram

Each year, we welcome two groups of marine biology students from the University of Mataram for immersive 12-week internships. With four students per cycle, this program offers hands-on experience in coral restoration, ecological monitoring, and community-based conservation. We provide full support, including accommodation, meals, and transport, so students can focus on learning, contributing, and growing as future marine scientists.

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What is BRUV – Baited Remote Underwater Video method?

A camera is placed on the seafloor with bait positioned in front. It records fish that come to investigate over a set time. Footage is reviewed later to identify species and behavior. It’s a passive method like setting a camera trap for marine life.

In short: BRUV = film fish attracted to bait, then analyze the video later.

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What is UVC – Underwater Visual Census method?

Divers swim along a transect line and visually record all fish seen within a defined area. They note species, size, and numbers during the dive. It’s a live fish count. Like taking attendance in a moving classroom.

In short: UVC = spot and count fish by eye while swimming the transect.

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What is Belt Transect method?

A measuring tape is laid out along the reef. In our case divers count all visible invertebrates (e.g. sea cucumbers, starfish) within a set belt width usually 1 or 2 meters. They record species and numbers while swimming slowly along the line. It’s a wide-area visual count like sweeping a corridor for invertebrates.

In short: Belt = count all invertebrates within a set zone along the tape.

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What is 3D Coral Monitoring method?

Divers take multiple photos of coral structures from different angles. Photos are processed using software to build a 3D model of the coral. This model shows shape, size, and changes over time. It’s like creating a digital twin of the coral to track its growth.

In short: 3D = capture coral from all sides, then build a model to monitor changes.

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What is UPT – Underwater Photo Transect method?

A measuring tape is also laid out along the reef. Instead of recording points manually, divers take overlapping photos along the line. These images are later analyzed on a computer to assess coverage and species. It’s a visual capture method like scanning the reef with a camera for later analysis.

In short: UPT = record the whole transect with photos, then analyze later.

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What is PIT – Point Intercept Transect method?

A measuring tape is laid out along the reef. Divers record what’s directly under specific points at fixed intervals (e.g. every 10 cm). It’s a manual, visual sampling method. Like checking what’s beneath each tick mark on a ruler. Data is written down underwater, point by point.

In short: PIT = record what’s under each point by eye, underwater.