What Can Happen to the Ocean When the World Pauses?

COVID-19 has changed the world as we know it. The novel coronavirus has quarantined people, closed country borders, and halted businesses around the world.

There are a lot of reasons to feel sad or frustrated, but we prefer to stay positive and look for the silver lining in the chaos.

The past several decades have been marked by a rapidly growing human population, increased demand for products, and countless technological advancements. For the first time in recent history, the world is forced to slow down.

Our oceans have seen several problems resulting from human activity. Global warming has led to the bleaching of coral reefs around the world. Overtourism has destroyed marine ecosystems that were once rich and full of life. Plastic pollution kills thousands of ocean animals each year.

And now, COVID-19 has forced the world to come to a standstill. There can be positive impacts on our ocean for years to come. 

Break for tourism means a break for our oceans

The Nusa Islands have become a popular destination for people all over the world to visit. Tourists have flocked to the islands to experience the rich marine life, stunning cliffside views, and laid-back island vibe – and we don’t blame them! Plus, scuba diving around Bali is on many divers’ bucket lists.

While good for the economy of the island, the increase in tourism has led to some problems for the ocean. The entire coastline is prone to heavy boat and jetski traffic, which can lead to anchor drags and shipwrecks. Accidental kicks by divers at popular dive sites can hurt coral. Pontoons placed off the coast of Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Penida have been detrimental to the adjacent reefs.

The hold on tourism can finally give our reefs a break from all of this, allowing marine ecosystems the space and time necessary to rebuild.

Coral restoration sites have a chance to grow

Like reefs all over the world, the Nusa Penida Marine Protected Area has experienced damage from different human activities. Boating, fishing, and diving can cause problems for fragile corals. After monitoring the area for years, Blue Corner Conservation implemented a coral restoration project to combat the negative impacts.

Led by our marine biologist, Blue Corner hosts coral restoration workshops throughout the year. Participants learn about coral biology and reef restoration, study impact sites, and develop a restoration plan. Then, teams of volunteers and divers work together to build frames and transplant corals in a designated area. The idea behind the project is to create a healthy foundation that can pave the way for new corals to grow naturally. Eventually, we hope that these sites can return to how they once were.

With the sudden decrease of boats, divers, and tourists due to COVID-19, coral has a better chance than ever to rebuild. We look forward to revisiting our baby corals when life returns to normal and seeing how they thrive without the added stresses of human activity.

Less people, less plastic, less pollution

 Nusa Lembongan has a small population of permanent residents. Most of the people on the island are seasonal tourists who visit to relax, explore, and scuba dive. Now, there is a hold on tourists visiting Indonesia due to travel bans around COVID-19.

 Less tourists means less people, and ultimately less trash and waste on the island. While we make efforts to be environmentally-friendly on the island, Nusa Lembongan has limited waste and recycling facilities. This means that trash sometimes has nowhere to go and gets stuck on the island.

With the pause on people visiting Indonesia, there is also a pause on the amount of waste being produced. As we know, plastic can remain on our planet for hundreds of years. The positive impact of less plastic and trash in the ocean will be a welcome change.

New habits can reduce gas emissions

Global warming is one of the biggest concerns for the future of our planet. While the effects of COVID-19 alone won’t change this, a shift in the way we are forced to live can have a positive impact on our ocean.

As transportation has ceased and businesses have closed, there has been a sudden drop in carbon emissions. Pollution in New York has reduced by nearly 50% because of measures to contain the virus and CO2 emissions in China dropped by 25%.

While it’s unlikely this trend will continue once the world can resume normal activity, it has the potential to lead to better habits. Businesses may implement more options to work from home, lessening traffic. People may start riding a bike or walking, rather than driving, to enjoy the outdoors. Lifestyle changes like this can have a lasting impact on the planet.

Life after COVID-19 in Indonesia 

We hope that COVID-19 will have some positive impacts among all of the destruction it caused. Hopefully, this pause on life will benefit our oceans for years to come.

When we return to scuba diving in Indonesia, we look forward to seeing healthy reefs and plentiful marine life. We will appreciate every moment more. The sight of manta rays, mola molas, sea turtles, and schools of fish will be a welcome change after months in self-isolation.

We also look forward to welcoming back tourists to the island. People from all over the world have dove with us and become part of the Blue Corner family over the years. From fun divers who joined us for one dive to divemaster candidates who spent months enjoying our little paradise, every person has helped make Blue Corner the place it is.

For now, let’s remember the good times, keep that dive gear on standby, and hope that we can return to our ocean home soon.