Mentawai Mooring Movement: Protecting Coral Reefs
Over the last decade, the Mentawai Islands have become a premier surfing destination. The tiny island chain now hosts almost 60 surf charter boat operations and 3 land-based resorts. As the number of surfers seeking out these world-class waves grows, so do the impacts on the marine ecology. In order to reach each surf spot, surfers must travel by boats which anchor on live coral. This can cause incredible damage to the coral reefs, which not only create perfect waves but also make up important marine habitat and sustain the Mentawaian people.
Started in 2008, the Mentawai Mooring Movement is a group of concerned coral reef scientists and surfers who are working to raise awareness of the damage cause to coral reefs by anchored vessels. Their first project was to install twenty one moorings in and around ten surfing breaks in the Northern Mentawai “WavePark” area, West Sumatra, Indonesia. The moorings were installed over a period of six months, using WavePark Mentawai Surf Resort as a base of operations. Kandui Resort matched funds from WavePark and the Mentawai Mooring Movement, and Ailota Resort contributed dive tanks to the project. The moorings themselves were constructed using a mixture of chain, tackle, concrete and metal, dependent upon ocean floor habitat and installation requirements, as well as availability of materials and labor. Much was learned from the successes and failures of the project, and since November 2008, five more moorings have been installed to provide more convenient locations for resort boats and their photographers, and to replace the three moorings that were broken in the 2008 off season. The goal to decrease anchoring by 80% was thought to be attainable, but in fact from observation of boat activity since installation, the anchoring reduction has been calculated to be more like 90%. Through funds raised, the organization hopes to expand the project to include larger boat moorings and moorings outside the Mentawai Islands.
Contribute to the protection of these important yet very fragile ecosystems and ensure the existence of coral for future generations. To learn more or to find out how you can help, visit the Mentawai Mooring Movement website or contact Christie Carter.
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