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Electric Shock Revives Dying Corals In Bali
01/03/2012

The once decimated coral reefs in Bali caused by cyanide fishing and rising water temperatures have now been revived with the help of a diver who was inspired by a German scientist's pioneering work on organic architecture to help develop a project now replicated worldwide.

Based on "Biorock" technology or mineral accretion technology, a method that uses the application of safe, low voltage electrical currents through seawater, causing the crystallization of dissolved minerals on structures, growing into a white limestone similar to that which naturally makes up coral reefs and tropical white sand beaches, the Biorock- based project was launched in 2000 off the waters of Pemuteran off the north coast of Bali. This technology has been implemented in 20 countries, mainly in Southeast Asia, the Caribbean, Indian Ocean, and the Pacific.

A domed-shaped metal frame known as "the crab", covered with huge corals in shimmering colors where hundreds of fish have made their homes, was used in the project.

A low-level electric current that will run through the domed-shaped metallic structures was then applied through the seawaters off Bali. This electric jolt has then caused the dissolved minerals to crystallize on the structures, eventually growing into a white limestone comparable to that which naturally makes up coral reefs and tropical white sand beaches. This material has the strength similar to concrete which can be used to make robust artificial reefs on which corals grow at very rapid rates. Moreover, the environmental changes produced by the electrical currents have accelerated the formation and growth of both chemical limestone rock and the skeletons of Bali corals and other shell-bearing organisms off the waters in Bali.

Rani Morrow-Wuigk, the 60-year-old German-born Australian who first dived in Pemuteran bay back in 1992 to see its beautiful reefs, stated that the project's result was quite amazing.

The project has resulted in the growth of corals, which grew 2-6 times faster, enabling the growing back of the reef in a few years, according to Thomas J. Goreau, a Jamaican marine biologist and biogeochemist.

Now, there is a better coral garden off in Permutan bay where there are around sixty of "cages" in Pemuteran bay, across a surface of two hectares, not only saving the reefs from near-death but also causing the reefs to flourish better than ever before.

Aside from Permutan, you can also enjoy water sports activities (banana boat, parasailing, jetski, diving, flying fish, etc) in Nusa Dua Bali, a peninsula in South Bali, well known as an enclave of high-end hotels and private villas.