What inspired you to work for The Gili Shark Conservation Project?
I’ve changed in a few different ways since I started working with the Shark Team. First of all, I don't see the ocean as I used to. It's not only a place to dive and have fun; the ocean means way more to my eyes now.
I’ve realized how important it is for all life on Earth. I realized that the ocean is very vulnerable to our actions and that it is not indestructible. We need to respect the oceans and protect it any way we can. I am definitely more aware, and try to do what I can to protect it.
I have changed many habits since living on Gili Air. The first one, is my use of single-use plastic. I also always try to pick up any garbage I see while diving. They are little gestures, but when you add them all together, a little becomes a lot!
Getting ready for another day at the office
Describe a typical day at work.
Our mornings are spent mostly exploring the magical underwater world, and our afternoons are spent in the office.
Office time doesn’t mean that I'm sitting in an office all day. The ocean and the whole island is my office (lucky me!) so I could literally be anywhere. We are a very ambitious organization with big dreams. To make sure we reach our goals, every day has a theme so the members of the research team know exactly what to focus on.
Jacques Cousteau once said: “The best way to observe a fish is to become a fish,” and I couldn’t agree more. There is no better feeling than to start the day with a dive. Every time I jump into the ocean, it feels like going home.
Why do you do what you do?
What makes me very proud is to witness the commitment of every single individual taking part in the Gili Shark Conservation project. Since it has been created, it has done really great things, even with a small team.
The project has had an impact on the island since the beginning. With the dedication and commitment from everyone who has been involved in the project, we have received great results in our evolution of methods to study our oceans, fish, and reefs.
It makes me really proud to say that I am part of this team. And this couldn't have without the dedication and commitment of everybody who has ever been involved in the project.
What is your favorite part of your job?
Exploring the magical underwater world and educating others about the importance to protect it. Every day, I do not feel like I’m at work. I do it because I love it. I'm always happy at work, and that has a lot to do with the fact that I love what I’m doing. But, it’s also because of the people I spend most of my days with.
How do you use your education and international background in your current role?
Every Saturday morning, our Research Team visits the school on Gili Air to teach the children all about the world of conservation. Our teaching methods vary between games, drawing, textbooks, and open discussions to suit all styles of learning.
We call these classes “Club Harapan”, which translates to “Club Hope” in Indonesian. Every time the children attend a conservation class, or join one of our other activities, they receive a stamp. When they have a full membership card, they will receive the PlasticFreeParadise kit which contains a bamboo straw, a reusable bag, and a reusable bottle. It’s a great feeling to give the children the tools to say ‘no’ to plastic.
I believe that with the right knowledge and tools, this next generation will have a great impact on the future. I believe they’ll make better choices regarding diverse lifestyle habits in order to maintain their paradise. I also believe they would inspire others by their actions, and when their turn comes, teach others.
What challenges do you often face and how do you overcome them?
We are a small grassroots organization, and we only host 12 participants at the same time. We work and live together on a daily basis which means we spent a lot of time together.
The family atmosphere is really strong and we are always there for each other. However, we still can be professional to each other when it is needed. We really know when and where to throw a joke or to discuss technical topics.
What are some current projects you are working on?
I'm involved in many projects, like underwater roving video surveillance, roving survey dives, photographic identification, coral health index surveys, coral restoration, land & marine based time-lapse projects, teaching volunteers how to analyze and input data, and much more!
One of my favorite projects is our coral restoration project. The act of restoration is bringing a damaged ecosystem as near as possible to its original condition. The aim of our coral restoration project is to assist the recovery of an area on the North of Gili Air which plays host to a nursery area for black tip reef sharks. However, the area has historically been impacted by dynamite fishing, coral bleaching, and earthquake activity.
What advice would you tell your pre-travel self?
Don't be scared!
There are so many great places and people out there. Go, explore, and enjoy!
I've learned so much from meeting other people. You can learn something from everyone that crosses your path.
What makes your organization special?
We have a very clear mission. Every day, our research team goes out to collect abundance data within the zones of the Gili Matra Marine Recreational Reserve to assess the health of the environment. Our mission is to promote conversation efforts through education and research, and to enhance marine protection and health where necessary.
I think happy people who love what they do with a definite aim and purpose cannot be stopped. Keeping everyone involved on board and motivated, is how we change the world.
My happy place
Why should someone choose The Gili Shark Conservation Project over competitors?
The thing that makes our organization so unique is that besides doing amazing conservation work for the ocean, we are also trying our best to work closely with the local community.
What makes me very proud is to witness the commitment of every single individual taking part in the Gili Shark Conservation project. Since it was created, it did really great things, even with a small team.
It makes me really proud to say that I am part of this team.
What hopes do you have for the future for your organization?
It’s our dream to be an international marine research center that hosts researchers, scientists, and ocean lovers from all over the world. I see it as a place in the heart of our community where we can provide education about solving oceans-related issues, and as a home to people that want to make the world a little bit more beautiful.
It’s our dream to educate, train, and empower local talent to become leaders of the Gili Islands’ growing tourism industry, and guardians of its natural environment. We hope that one day we can provide scholarships to Indonesians who want to pursue a career in marine conservation, but don’t have the financial or emotional support to make it happen.
How do you help support participants?
We work and live like a family, and we are always there for each other. Doesn't matter which day of the week or what time of the day it is.
Having been in Gili Air for a long time, everybody truly understands the reality of this island, and the strengths and weaknesses anybody can go through. I would do everything to help volunteers grow within the project while experiencing new things, making mistakes and learning from them.
If you could participate in one of Gili Shark Conservation Project’s programs, where would you go and what would you do?
I would definitely choose the 2 months program, including the dive master. First of all, because I believe that staying in one place for a long time is more enjoyable as you really got to know the people and the environment. Every shark warrior I met said they wished they had stayed longer.
Secondly, because you learn how to become a scientific diver and then you have more time to put everything into practice, so you actually become very knowledgeable about marine life.
Finally, because doing the dive master course is so much fun. It is such a memorable learning experience and you grow so much along the way. Also, every instructor who teaches you will do it in their own way so you would get new advice and get to try different ways of doing things.
What questions do participants often ask you, and how do you typically respond?
Q: What activities can I do on my weekend?
A: The better question would be: what can you not do in the Gili Islands? The three islands, surrounded by a beautiful blue and turquoise ocean full of coral and marine life, are the perfect place for all kinds of water sports.
Lombok, Bali, and Nusa Lembongan are a short boat ride away and easily accessible if you want to get off the island and explore. Gili Air is known for its diving, yoga, and food! There are multiple yoga studios offering a variety of classes including acro and fly high!
There are also many water sports available like snorkeling, stand up paddleboard, surfing, subwing, and many more!
What advice do you have for individuals thinking about going abroad?
I believe that traveling around the world shouldn’t be hard: it’s actually something everyone should be able to do at least once in their lives. Whether you choose to spend a few years or just a couple months traveling this beautiful planet, it’s important to see what’s out there. It’s up to you to make the dream come true and take the first step. And if you need help, just send me a message. I'm always happy to help!
Teaching the children of Gili Air about the gift of conservation
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
To me, meaningful travel is when travel enriches your life in some way.
That could be done by focusing on making your own life better by discovering and learning new things about the world and yourself.
It can also be making the lives richer for the people you meet, the communities you visit, and the environments you explore. Meaningful travel is about being aware of your footprint and doing what you can to help the places that you visit.
