Established in 2014 by Ministerial Decree, in part driven by efforts from marine ecologist Djohani, the MPA spans 20,057 hectares surrounding the Balinese islands of Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan, and Nusa Ceningan. Through her non-profit foundation, the Coral Triangle Center (CTC), Djohani worked with the Indonesian government and local communities to divide the MPA into designated zones for tourism, seaweed farming, fishing and sacred grounds that respect and honour the importance of the environment in local culture.

The MPA lies in the Coral Triangle, an area recognized as the global centre of marine biodiversity that encompasses waters around the Philippines, Timor-Leste, the Solomon Islands and Indonesia. The Nusa Penida MPA alone is home to approximately 570 species of reef fish, including manta rays and the majestic ocean sunfish, and close to 300 species of coral, representing over 76 per cent of all known coral species. Around 48,000 residents depend on the marine ecosystems for their livelihoods, and Nusa Penida’s incredible scenery draws in thousands of tourists every year, presenting new challenges and opportunities for the island.

Djohani knew that for the protective measures to work, people living across the three islands had to be able to live sustainably and themselves become guardians of the sea, so the CTC supports sustainable livelihoods and food security for locals, as well as running outreach activities and conservation training. By 2020, the CTC’s management of the area was so successful that their efforts were recognized by Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative partner Mission Blue, and the MPA was made a Hope Spot: an area of vital marine biodiversity, with Djohani and Sanjaya as its Champions.

“IT’S SO IMPORTANT TO HAVE LOCAL PEOPLE INCLUDED IN THE MANAGEMENT AND BENEFITS OF THIS HOPE SPOT, SO NO ONE IS LEFT BEHIND.”
Rili Djohani, marine ecologist and Hope Spot Champion

Today, Djohani and Sanjaya are continuing to make the MPA a success. One key project has been their work rehabilitating the mangrove forests, which were being cut down for timber. By sharing the benefits of mangrove forests for things like local biodiversity, protection against sea level rises, and eco-tourism, the CTC are encouraging communities to help the mangroves thrive again. In a huge reforestation effort, they recently planted more than 10,000 seedlings.

Inclusivity is at the heart of Djohani and Sanjaya’s efforts, and they are also engaging youth groups on the islands in a coral reef restoration project. Nusa Penida’s coral reefs are not only globally important due to their exceptional biodiversity, but also because conservationists are learning that they appear to be particularly resilient against climate change and warming waters. This may be simply due to the upwelling of cooler, nutrient-rich waters from the depths, but either way, Nusa Penida’s reefs could provide a crucial insight for global coral conservation efforts.

To help restore and enhance this resilience, the programme has so far installed more than 400 linked structures to the ocean floor that act as a support bed on which new corals can grow. They have transplanted 6,000 fragments of coral, covering 240 square metres of damaged reef. Djohani and her team also know that to motivate people for years to come, marine conservation needs to be part of the local culture.

Inspired by the centuries-old Indonesian customary practice of wayang, or shadow puppetry, they have created an ocean-themed performance with beautifully crafted puppets. Through this important traditional art, they are engaging communities to explore contemporary issues.

“WE PERFORM A LOT ON THE ISSUE OF MARINE POLLUTION AND PLASTICS. IT REALLY ENGAGES THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES, ADULTS AND CHILDREN ALIKE, TO THINK AND TALK ABOUT WHAT THEY CAN CONTRIBUTE TOWARDS FINDING A SOLUTION FOR THIS PROBLEM.”
Rili Djohani, marine ecologist and Hope Spot Champion

Now, Rolex and Mission Blue are supporting Champions Djohani and Sanjaya in spreading awareness of the MPA and helping the Indonesian government in their goal to protect 30 per cent of their waters – around 97.5 million hectares. By sharing their methods, they are helping other conservationists to establish and fortify MPAs throughout the Coral Triangle and further afield, and by involving tourists in their programmes, Djohani and Sanjaya are creating a global voice for Nusa Penida.

ABOUT THE PERPETUAL PLANET INITIATIVE
For nearly a century, Rolex has supported pioneering explorers pushing back the boundaries of human endeavour. The company has moved from championing exploration for the sake of discovery to protecting the planet, committing for the long term to support individuals and organizations using science to understand and devise solutions to today’s environmental challenges.

This engagement was reinforced with the launch of the Perpetual Planet Initiative in 2019, which initially focused on individuals who contribute to a better world through the Rolex Awards for Enterprise, on safeguarding the oceans as part of an established association with Mission Blue and on understanding climate change via its long-standing partnership with the National Geographic Society.

The initiative’s portfolio continues to expand with more than 20 partners including: Cristina Mittermeier and Paul Nicklen in their work as conservation photographers; Rewilding Argentina and Rewilding Chile, offspring organizations of Tompkins Conservation, which are protecting landscapes in South America; Coral Gardeners, transplanting resilient corals to reefs; the Under The Pole expeditions, pushing the boundaries of underwater exploration; and Steve Boyes and the Great Spine of Africa series of expeditions, exploring the continent’s major river basins. Rolex also supports organizations and initiatives fostering the next generations of explorers, scientists and conservationists through scholarships and grants, such as Our World-Underwater Scholarship Society and The Rolex Explorers Club Grants.