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Our Community Reef Regeneration Project, Wooing the She-spirit of the Island

by Mark Pearce

Because Batbitim is so far from the nearest villages, it is rare that we get visits from the local people. They have very little reason to travel all this way, particularly now that we have created a Marine Protected area, or MPA. So we felt it was time that we extended a special invitation to some of the people from the villages to come and see what we're up to.

The people of Fafanlap were the first to come. We were delighted to welcome Pak Imam, who is the religious leader of the village as well as the Kepala Adat,or the traditional leader of the village. Pak Imam, although advanced in years, is a spring chicken in terms of energy and lust for life. He was accompanied by a group of younger people headed by Jude, the Kepala Permuda, leader of the young people of the village.

We had purposely invited the younger people as we had heard rumblings of discontent due to their feeling that the older generation had sold off their heritage and birth-rite to MER. We were keen to show them that what we were doing here benefits all of us. Bapak, Rajak, Simon and I picked them up in the morning and there was much hilarity amongst the villagers of Fafanlap seeing their countrymen being collected in our dive speed-boat and whisked off to a ‘far off place’.

Cherry and the Fafanlapians en route to Batbitim

On the way back to Batbitim we skirted around the perimeter of our MPA. All agreed there were many places they could still fish and that our MPA does not significantly impact their ability to fish for the village. They also told us many stories/legends about the islands, trees and lakes in the area.
Boo, a small island near Batbitim and site of a fantastic dive, got its name because a long time ago a sailor was caught in a storm and was requiring a safe anchorage, so therefore, headed to Boo. Due to the huge drop offs surrounding the island, there was nowhere suitable to anchor and he was blown out to sea. As he watched the island disappearing into the distance he swore at the island, calling it a ‘pig.' This is a very strong insult in this part of the world. The name stuck - Boo is the local word for pig.

With the people of Fafanlap imparting these local legends, I was already getting the feeling that they were coming onside. Bapak and Rajak did a really great job of being ambassadors for MER, as the explained to the Fafanlapians (who are also their extended family) how we support the local community, and how we actually are protecting their birth-rite by ensuring the fish stocks and reefs are looked after for their children and grandchildren.

view of local village from the roof of the mosque

On arrival at Batbitim, the group was wide-eyed and generally in awe of our buildings, having never seen anything like them! Pak Imam, in his unique and highly animated style, effervesced about the company principles regarding using and training the local labour force, sourcing building materials locally and the ‘Eco ethos' that we hold so dear. He was very clear that we had his wholehearted support and that he would spearhead our cause in his village, and that the group of young but influential visitors should do the same.

One of the highlights for our visitors was snorkeling on the House Reef. Not just once but five times! They were of the opinion that the fish here in Batbitim were more ‘friendly’ than in the waters around other islands. They were impressed with the number of fish, and the condition of the corals. The colours and varieties of coral were also talking points. We showed them areas which had been bombed by fishermen in the past, and the feeling was unanimous that bombing and cyanide fishing are things that we (both us and them) will not condone.

We then gave them a tour around Batbitim and explained why we were building with driftwood rather than cutting the trees from the jungles of Raja Ampat. We explained that we were using Alang Alang, not only because it was a good roofing material and had excellent insulation properties, but also because we support a whole community in the fabrication process. The profits from the sale of the Alang Alang go straight to the people that actually make it! We showed them the waste water gardens, and explained how they treat our sewage and waste water. And we also spent time dispelling some bizarre myths that Misool Eco Resort would become a place for ‘sex tourism’, discos and other such unsavoury pursuits.

A fun evening of watching dive films followed. Finally our staff joined our visitors for a session of 'putting the world to rights' until the early hours of the morning. For those of you who have not yet had the pleasure of visiting Indonesia, this involves consuming copious amounts of strong, sweet coffee and betel nut (a nut which when chewed is a mild stimulant – making you salivate, turning your mouth blood red!). I finally had to surrender to my tiredness and head for my bed at 3am. The next day, it was yet more snorkeling. They left at noon, excited to tell the the rest of Fafanlap what they had seen.

The following week, we invited a large group from Yellu, the village from which we lease our island and surrounding area of sea. It was a party of approximately 15 people from three generations, the youngest being around 8 years old, the oldest ones in their seventies. In attendance were many members of the Apparat Desa, or Village Council, including Pak Ishmael Bahale. The Bahales are an influential and old family from the Misool/Yellu area. Another council member in attendance was Merdeka, the leader of the young people of Yellu.

For those of you who have followed this page for some time, you may remember us mentioning Merdeka, whose name translates as Freedom. I think it is worth taking a moment to wax lyrical about our dear friend Merdeka. He is truly one of a kind. With his wild facial hair, impish mannerisms, a wise and thought provoking character, I defy anyone to say that they do not find him to be wonderfully likeable.

The group arrived late in the evening and had a quick tour of the island before sitting down to dinner (that local favourite rice and fish) and then a couple of films before more coffee, betel nut and in-depth conversation about conservation and the future of our MPA. Again, we were overjoyed to witness our local staff support our cause as their own, and they gave a heartfelt appeal to the local people of Yellu to lend their support. We resumed our tour of the island the following morning, explaining many of our ‘Eco-solutions,’ and how we're trying to have as little impact on the environment as possible.

the adat ceremony

Jodi and Brandon, our star English teachers, then gave a lesson for the children, the temptation of which some of the older generation were unable to resist. All were welcomed. Brandon and Jodi taught some fun songs in English (Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes) and some simple greetings. I look forward to my next trip to the village when I will be able to test out what they have remembered.

Jodi and Brandon teaching class

The visit also seemed like the appropriate time for the launch of our first reef restoration project. Several of our workers, including Bapak Akuba, aka Mister KaPomPom, and Rajak, have been crafting a sturdy domed framework using our waste building iron.

Following Rajak's suggestion, we got all the Yellu-ians involved in sinking the framework on a portion of House Reef which was damaged years ago by bomb-fishing. With the strong local tradition of free-diving, our guests were perfectly suited for such an undertaking.

ready to install!

So all donned dive masks and dived into the water. We all took it in turn to free dive down and hammer this frame into the reef. It was quite an undertaking, and after a bite to eat, more coffee and yet more betel nut, we headed back to the water.

Three generations of Yellu-People searched for live pieces of broken coral, and we attached the pieces to the iron framework one by one... Hopefully the coral will take to their new home. We will have transformed this scar on the reef into a place of beauty, and reminder of what we can create when we work together.

Meanwhile Andrew and the ladies of the village installed the plants in our wastewater garden. Plants and nature are a huge part of life in Misool, and they were all very much at home with these fantastic tropical plants.

They maintained that all the plants we had transported from Sorong are available in the surrounding islands and we were given many tips as to where to find them.

I was delighted to see everyone join in, with the children digging small holes in the gravel and the older generation planting them. In went the Heliconia, Lemon Grass, Ginger and philodendrons to name just a few. With any luck, Andy’s green thumbs have worked their magic and hopefully we will see the gardens blooming in the near future.

planting the waste water garden

The crew from Yellu headed back that evening, with smiles on their faces, while clutching cuttings from some of the plants on the island. It was a great couple of days.

And one final note - there are still some opportunities for investment available. Please contact Andrew directly for more information.