Interested in doing a marine conservation internship? Here at 3W Dive, we’ve formed a very special partnership with Ocean Gardener. As a team of marine biologists, divers and coral farmers, they are dedicated to teaching people about the beautiful yet vulnerable coral reefs that live and thrive below the ocean’s surface.
At 3W Dive, we understand that without our precious coral reefs, the diving world we know and love would be non-existent. And while many divers are extremely knowledgeable around the act of diving itself and even identifying fish, many are unaware of the foundations of a coral reef ecosystem, how to identify coral species, and the potential dangers corals can face from ongoing human contact.
A complex living network, this critical habitat provides food and shelter for creatures great, minuscule and everything in between. Up to 25% of all marine species make their home in coral reefs. Not to mention the sublime beauty they offer that we as divers are lucky enough to be able to explore! Coral colonies are the foundation of these reefs and the survival of our oceans.
Although to many divers, corals are just colourful underwater plants, they are living, extremely vulnerable animals. The role these living, breathing organisms play is one of the most crucial and one that the entire reef’s survival is based upon. Without corals, a reef would not exist. As divers that are exposed continuously to coral reefs, we must be well educated to ensure their survival and all of the incredible life they support.
The Marine Conservation Internship equips our divemaster interns with the skills necessary to dive further into coral farming and restoration throughout the internship, and apply the techniques we use to contribute to the welfare of our local eco-system.
WHAT IS SUSTAINABLE CORAL FARMING?
Sustainable Coral Farming is the practice of farming using the principle of ecology, the study of the relationship between organisms and their environment.
It helps coastal communities receive income for maintaining and gardening the ocean the same way they do on land. Part of the coral harvested is used to restore other parts of the reef.
The impact of this work is that they’ve given a livelihood to thousands of coastal families, while preserving and restoring their reefs. Ocean Gardener has planted tens of thousands of corals, and aim to level up the speed of restoration by using the various restoration methods adapted to each species of coral.
WHO IS OCEAN GARDENER?
Ocean Gardener is an NGO dedicated to coral reef education. It was founded in 2016 by Vincent Chalias and Nicole Helgason, combining extensive years of experience to create the first mariculture farms in Indonesia, allowing coastal communities to live sustainably and provide a solution to restore damaged reefs.
Visit Ocean Gardeners website for more information on all their restoration activities. OCEANGARDENER.ORG
WHAT IS THE CORAL DIVER COURSE?
During the three-day Ocean Gardener Coral Diver Course, interns learn about the basics of coral biology, how to identify the six most common coral growth forms, and how to tell soft and hard corals apart.
After learning to spot coral growth forms, interns then learn to identify the most common coral genus, including five small polyp corals, five massive polyp corals, and five soft corals. Then once you’ve mastered these coral spotting skills, you will learn about coral farming you’ll be introduced to coral restoration, visit a coral farm and plant you own coral fragment to become a certified Ocean Gardener!
The Coral Diver course will teach you how to identify different types of corals, which will enrich your diving experience and expand your understanding of ocean conservation. The Ocean Gardener Coral Diver is a three-day certification course designed to teach you to determine the most common coral genus found thought the Indo-Pacific.
If you have an interest in marine biology and conservation and want to improve your knowledge of corals, this is an incredible program. You’ll have 5 beautiful dives and learn more about what you’re seeing in the ocean, all while contributing to the health of our reefs and our marine conservation efforts in the Gilis.
MARINE CONSERVATION INTERNSHIP
As a Marine Conservation Divemaster Intern, after completion of the course, you will then dive even further into coral restoration and the different conservation techniques we are using in Gili Air.
During the Marine Conservation Internship, interns will help in monitoring the ongoing coral restoration project, learning even more about the ocean and ocean conservation. Interns will help fragment and care for corals throughout the internship at the Ocean Gardener Nursery, applying their new conservation and reef restoration skills and contributing to our local ecosystem.
