[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”1px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-30px||||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”0px||20px||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”-30px||0px||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
This past week has seen has our team of orang laut (this means ‘SEA People’ in bahasa Indonesia) busy with all manner of things; reef restoration, exploration, deep dives, mooring inspections, new villages, new friends, a python… another busy week for our team – read on for a wrap up of the past 7 days!<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”20px||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”1px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”0px||||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”-20px||||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”-20px||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/theseapeople.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Yaf-Keru-Yenbekwan-Reef-Restoration-Raja-Ampat-scaled.jpg” alt=”Yaf Keru Yenbekwan Reef Restoration Raja Ampat Conservation The SEA People” title_text=”Yaf Keru Yenbekwan Reef Restoration Raja Ampat” _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-25px||||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”-25px||||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”-25px||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”11px” custom_margin=”-20px||||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”-30px||||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”-30px||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
A team of Coral Gardeners, doing what they do best.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-15px||||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”-20px||||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”-20px||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n This week Linus, Cori, Piet, Alfaris and Aldi transplanted 1645 coral fragments on Yaf Keru – Yenbekwan.\u00a0<\/strong> As their knowledge and skills continue to grow, this team of Coral Gardeners becomes more efficient at implementing underwater systems, establishing an organic kind of ‘fordism’ with respect to those who collects the coral fragments (the feeders), those who transplant (the gardeners) and those who check, clip and count (quality control) during any given dive. While this went on Pak John spent his time on land welding some structures that will be installed on the restoration site to help mitigate the \u2018rubble avalanche\u2019 phenomenon and further support substrate stabilisation \u2013 an important part of the restoration process.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”20px||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”1px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”0px||||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”||||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”-20px||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_slider _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” min_height=”550px” min_height_tablet=”550px” min_height_phone=”550px” min_height_last_edited=”on|phone” height=”450px” height_tablet=”350px” height_phone=”250px” height_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_margin=”-25px||||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”-25px||||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”-25px||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|tablet” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_slide _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”rgba(242,242,242,0)” background_enable_color=”on” background_image=”https:\/\/theseapeople.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/GOPR9257-1-scaled.jpg” background_enable_image=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_transition=”on”][\/et_pb_slide][et_pb_slide _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”rgba(242,242,242,0)” background_enable_color=”on” background_image=”https:\/\/theseapeople.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/GOPR9259-scaled.jpg” background_enable_image=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_transition=”on”][\/et_pb_slide][et_pb_slide _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”rgba(242,242,242,0)” background_enable_color=”on” background_image=”https:\/\/theseapeople.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/GOPR9263-scaled.jpg” background_enable_image=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_transition=”on”][\/et_pb_slide][et_pb_slide _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”rgba(242,242,242,0)” background_enable_color=”on” background_image=”https:\/\/theseapeople.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/GOPR9269-scaled.jpg” background_enable_image=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_transition=”on”][\/et_pb_slide][et_pb_slide _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”rgba(242,242,242,0)” background_enable_color=”on” background_image=”https:\/\/theseapeople.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/GOPR9271-scaled.jpg” background_enable_image=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_transition=”on”][\/et_pb_slide][et_pb_slide _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”rgba(242,242,242,0)” background_enable_color=”on” background_image=”https:\/\/theseapeople.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/GOPR9274-scaled.jpg” background_enable_image=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_transition=”on”][\/et_pb_slide][et_pb_slide _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”rgba(242,242,242,0)” background_enable_color=”on” background_image=”https:\/\/theseapeople.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/GOPR9285-scaled.jpg” background_enable_image=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_transition=”on”][\/et_pb_slide][et_pb_slide _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”rgba(242,242,242,0)” background_enable_color=”on” background_image=”https:\/\/theseapeople.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/GOPR9280-scaled.jpg” background_enable_image=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_transition=”on”][\/et_pb_slide][et_pb_slide _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”rgba(242,242,242,0)” background_enable_color=”on” background_image=”https:\/\/theseapeople.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/GOPR9281-scaled.jpg” background_enable_image=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_transition=”on”][\/et_pb_slide][\/et_pb_slider][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”11px” custom_margin=”-20px||||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”-30px||||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”-30px||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Piet, Arno and Lynn inspecting a mooring whilst conducing Deep Dive training for Piet.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-25px||||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”-20px||||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”-20px||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n With the Coral Gardening team more independent and autonomous, as they transplanted coral, Arno, Lynn and Piet went to inspect the condition of a mooring upon the request of a friend who has a boat is located nearby (and who has also established an amazing community project – but that\u2019s another story).<\/p>\n In the calm waters of sheltered bay, we used this as an opportunity to take Piet on a deep dive training session.\u00a0 Whilst many locals in Raja Ampat have tried scuba diving, it is often without any form of training (or training of poor quality) and therefore without an understanding of pressure, planning, gas exchange, decompression procedures, corresponding signals and other safety practices.\u00a0 This is not uncommon at all, afterall… if nobody teaches you how could you know?<\/p>\n To go through in detail the influence of depth, time and pressure on the body, and how to carefully and safely plan a deep dive was an eye opener for all parties; for those learning the diving\/planning skills (ie: at how much there is to consider in order to stay safe) and for those doing the teaching (continuing to learn of the level of understanding amongst the local community about scuba diving safety.\u00a0 This was further reinforced by a same day encounter; we bought some fish from a passing fishermen, an opportunity we always take to talk and learn more about local fishing practice.\u00a0 As the conversation unfolded, we shocked-but-not-surprised to hear the fisherman proudly tell of scuba diving to 50-60m for lobster and sea cucumber, with gear provided by a middleman from Sorong – who will onsell the catch for a high price –\u00a0 and saving 50 bar of air at the end \u2018for safety\u2019.. which, amongst other things, is nowhere near enough for the time it would take to do the required decompression\/safety stops upon ascent from a dive this deep).<\/p>\n On our deep dive, Piet did an amazing job; planning the dive beforehand on his computer, following the profile exactly, experiencing a very mild narcosis, but remaining calm and in control, whilst regularly checking with and on his dive buddies.\u00a0 The second tank you see is contingency… technically unnecessary based on carefully planned profile, but taken anyway for the experience of diving with two tanks.\u00a0 And whilst diving deep is very rare and not required in our reef restoration effort, passing on the knowledge of how to do this safely is something we will continue to teach and reinforce.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”20px||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”1px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”0px||||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”||||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”-20px||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_video src=”https:\/\/youtu.be\/2UJB-2dyXnk” _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-25px||||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”-25px||||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”-25px||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_video][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”11px” custom_margin=”-20px||||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”-30px||||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”-30px||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n A walk through the forest to find this beautiful python (with a not so fortunate cuscus in it’s belly!)<\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”0px||||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”-20px||||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”-20px||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n During the past week, we also had the privilege of visiting a very small community; a tiny village tucked away from outside eyes and hidden within the forest.\u00a0 It was an extraordinary experience to walk into such a settlement; just 30-35 people, a small cluster of homes, the basic beginnings of something new… all the while remembering a story from not so long ago of a small number of people who \u201cwent to live in the jungle\u201d – and knowing that was the origins of this kampung baru<\/em> (new village). We will not share photos and videos of this experience… we feel this would be invasive and is both uncalled for and unnecessary; this place felt intimate and private, these people were choosing to be ‘away’ from the rest for their own reasons.\u00a0 Therefore, we will not put this community up for exhibit in the online world – this is not for us to decide; we will, as we should, be lead by the community as to if and when they wish for such a thing to happen. But what we will share from this incredible experience is the python we spotted! On the way into the settlement we past multiple people going the other way, passing on snippets of info about a cuscus (for those that don\u2019t know, that\u2019s a cute, furry possum like animal), and a really big python.\u00a0 But as is the case with stories, there are always multiple versions – and in this case ALL versions were correct: there was indeed a cuscus, and there was indeed a python, it\u2019s just that the cuscus was IN<\/em> the python.\u00a0 Let\u2019s just say.. the python you see here had just had a very recent, and very big lunch \u2013 check out the bump in its middle! – and the cuscus you don\u2019t see.. had just had a very bad day. [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”20px||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”1px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”0px||||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”||||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”-20px||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_video src=”https:\/\/youtu.be\/_ly0ADm9uNY” _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-45px||||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”-45px||||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”-45px||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_video][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”11px” custom_margin=”-20px||||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”-30px||||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”-30px||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Following cues and clues from Nature.. and finding a new reef!<\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”0px||||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”-20px||||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”-20px||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n To round out the week\u2026 Arno and Lynn went on an exploration dive. After observation over several days, we were convinced there was a deeper reef in a place we previously thought was a deep channel with a sandy bottom at 80m+.\u00a0 Yet bird activity, interesting water movement, a particular passage of dolphins passing the same spot regularly, the occasional solo fisherman\u2026 were all signs telling us there was something more to it.\u00a0 We asked around to gain local knowledge, and the \u2018younger generation\u2019 told us that their elders had told them there was definitely a reef at somewhere between 20m and 60m(!), before a big drop off into a very deep channel.\u00a0 So we waited until the current was right, planned our dive and jumped into the blue\u2026 we slowly descended and weren\u2019t too sure that we were going to find anything, and after a seemingly endless blue (which is lovely but disconcerting after a while) some shapes started to emerge… darker shading chequered with lighter patches… then moving shapes… then out of nowhere… a reef teeming with fish.\u00a0 \u00a0A small pinnacle, it’s peak at 20m, base at 40m… right next to a sandy slope which then dropped off into a deep channel.<\/p>\n Moral of the story? Nature never lies\u2026 observe the cues, follow the clues, and you will find what you\u2019re looking for (or rather.. being shown).<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”20px||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”1px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”0px||||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”0px||||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”-30px||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Sundays are a rest day for our entire team… some go to church, some sleep, some fish, some dive, some explore on land, some play video games or listen to music. Some do all of this and more. <\/p>\n Whatever it is… it’s a time to recharge and reset, because as you see above, our weeks are never dull and never without something to do!<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" This past week has seen has our team of orang laut (this means ‘SEA People’ in bahasa Indonesia) busy with all manner of things; reef restoration, exploration, deep dives, mooring inspections, new villages, new friends, a python… another busy week for our team – read on for a wrap up of the past 7 days!We […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":11933,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"1080","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[44,42,15,43,41,40],"class_list":["post-11912","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-local-community","tag-orang-laut-papua","tag-raja-ampat","tag-raja-ampat-conservation","tag-the-sea-people","tag-yaf-keru"],"yoast_head":"\nInspected a mooring and some Deep Dive training<\/strong><\/h2>\n
New people, new places, a python and a cuscus<\/strong><\/h2>\n
An Exploration Dive\u2026 our favourite kind of dive<\/strong><\/h2>\n
With a busy week over… let’s see what comes next!\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n