Current and ongoing Projects and Success Stories

Bureau Regional Marine Protected Area Established 2005

A Project initiated 2001

Earth Advocates will focus on seeking National Park Status for areas within the Makassar Straits along East Kalimantan. The 'Makassar Straits Marine National Park', would include the Berau area of East Kalimantan and some remote Island groups within the Straits. This area was surveyed by Earth Advocates during July/August 2000 upon an invitation by Michael Aw, founder of OceanNEnvironment. The endeavor label "The Makassar Straits Expedition", included discoveries which led to the decision for Earth Advocates to campaign and lobby for immediate national park status for this area. This special and highly bio-diverse region is essential for supplying nutrients and environmental balance to other areas of the Archipelago. The general report concerning the expedition will be presented to Indonesian government officials and environmental specialists.

Killer Trap-Nets banned in the Lembeh Straits off the coast of Sulawesi

This victory has been our "claim to fame". This accomplishment is the one which encouraged Robin Marinos to start the Earth Advocates. It is also the story which reveal the most negative impact against the Environment, as can be read from the reports and chart. This is the action that was energy intensive and required spontaneous strategies, as comparable to "the one hunting being hunted at the same time"! A matter of, being one step ahead, and staying ahead.

Illegal beach construction stopped in Bali

During the summer 1997, after the successful closure of the Trap nets operation, Robin Marinos arrived to Bali, Indonesia, to discover that there had been many small constructions built on the main beaches of Bali, and there were a number of new ones under construction. The constructions were build directly on the sand blocking the view and passage of beach comers, and were dangerously constructed. On a beach with extremely high tides and waves exist, and where surfers and swimmers could be injured from broken off slabs of cement from these beach constructions, as was the case.

New protective legislation for the Green Sea Turtle

It has taken one and half years to get this protective legislation, now its time to seriously implement the protection laws! We still need to get rid of the slaughter grounds, holding pens, and the illegal trade forever!! This is a great success, because we know we have the law on our side, but the battle is still not over. This is the longest running campaign and the most difficult, however we are confident that we will be successful in stopping the pillage here.

Earth Advocates Sea Turtle Campaign was instrumental during the year 2000 in convincing the Balinese Governors office to sign the Decree No. 243 issued on June 12, 2000, that states the trade of endangered and protected species, including the green turtle, is prohibited. The decree terminates the previous decree, No. 22/1990, which allowed up to 5,000 green turtles to be traded in Bali per year.
Earth Advocates were also instrumental in convincing the Government to take action and enforce the laws after pressing criminal charges against two of the major dealers. Only after a meeting with top conservation department, and enforcement authorities was any action taken, which lead to the confiscation of boats, arrest of top dealers, and eventually the trial of the top kingpin. One can read more about this in the 'REPORTS' section, "Save the Ancient Mariner".

Changes in the river and beach management policies in Bali



	In the Interest of everybody we hope that both the beach pollution and the beach constructions will never reappear, this photo taken June 1997

During the 1997 campaign against the 'Illegal Beach Constructions' a large swell uncovered tons of garbage buried under the sand. Combined with the Bacteria run-off from rivers and streams, created large pockets of Bacterial feeding Algae all along the popular Kuta beach of Bali. After independent tests prove the waters were dangerously polluted, Earth Advocates anonymously publicized its data with photos and the story on the world wide web. CNN picked up the information and screened it world wide. All this with vocal protests led the Balinese Government to stiffen its river dumping laws and remove all businesses away from the beaches. Also, new beach cleaning rules were put into place. The new management plan helped revive the sand crab population that had suffered heavy population loses. In spite of the fact that the in Bali the waterways are still very polluted by Western standards, due to open canalization and lack of sewage processing Plants, there have been great steps forward in the management of these waterways. A small but yet important victory for Earth Advocates and Bali's Ecosystem.

Establishment of the new Ministry of Maritime Exploration in Indonesia

Earth Advocates first started informal lobbying for a Maritime Ministry during 1997 after experiencing the pillage going on everywhere in the seas. With over 70% waterways covering Indonesia's surface it was clear that there was a need for more focus on the waterways. During 1999, Earth Advocates lobbied extensively for government reform, to restructure the ministries, and to finally recognize the importance of the seas, for exploration and conservation in sustaining its resources better. Earth Advocates drilled these points to the press and at many of the conferences and meeting, and are grateful that this reform government now took the steps for change. We hope to have the opportunity to work with and assist the new ministry toward good policies to protect and revive the great Archipelago of Indonesia!

An Increased number of Sharks reported in some Protected or Zoned Areas, 2006

Through the continual pressure by local and foreign NGO's as Earth Advocates to zone off specific areas too allow fish stocks to recover and to protect Shark populations from total extinction has been showing good results. An attempt to re-balance the Marine ecosystem in such areas has been very promising. Earth Advocates have discovered an increased number of mature, and especially juvenile sharks in such protected zones. Such zones have been established in many tourist areas were recreational water sports as diving are practiced.

During 2006, Earth Advocates have recorded increased sightings along Bali's east coast in Ammed and Tulumben, North Sulawesi National Park of Bunaken and ManadoTua, and zoned areas of Lombok's north Gili Island group.

There were also sightings of pregnant Sharks, as sighted by Robin Marinos whilst free diving during June 2006, off Lombok's Gili Islands. This Black Tip Reef Shark is in the process of giving birth.

Whale Shark finally placed on Endangered Species list at CITES convention 2002, Chile

"Save the Sharks" campaign records small victories! And a big one, Whale Shark CITES Protected!

Earth Advocates have been lobbying for CITES Protection of Whale Sharks since 1997 after filming the Slaughter of a Whale Shark. Our dramatic film and Images of the slow slaughter of a Whale Shark have been used Internationally to campaign for International protection. The Whale shark and various Basking Shark were placed on the Appendix 11 CITES list of Protected Species, November 18, 2002.

Eco-Tourism luxury project scrapped after mounting pressure

In a joint effort by Earth Advocates and other concerned environmentalists, Eradunia, a Jakarta based company, scrapped its plans to build a so-called luxury resort on Bunaken, within the North Sulawesi Marine Park. Earth Advocates presented Eradunia with the existing legal precedent and with a follow up legal suit if they even attempt to build a bungalow resort within the Marine Park limits. During June 2000 a representative of Eradunia assured Earth Advocates that they have scrapped these plans and would not pursue the project.

Earth Advocates evidence leads Bali police to two Major busts in the ongoing Sea Turtle trade!

Only a few hours following the Earth Advocates Tuesday July 3, 2001 presentation of video taped evidence concerning the existing illegal Turtle Trade, the Chief of Police of Bali, General I Wayan Ardjana and his staff, acted expediently in making a massive police bust. After receiving the two hour tape, from Robin Marinos of Earth Advocates, which revealed extensive lawbreaking evidence by many major Turtle dealers, the police immediately and responsibly staked out the two prevalent and recently taped lawbreaking operations. The Sanur, Gang Penyu 5, Turtle slaughter grounds, operated by the Kodi family, where 130 dehydrated and brutalized Green Sea Turtles were rescued and freed from their misery. The second place, a so called eco-tourisum 'Turtle Park' (Taman Penyu), run by the demented Serangan Island village head, Wayan Raga, was stacked out, where 137 Sea Turtles were being held or imprisoned in a cemented house floor.

Balinese Chief of Police, I Wayan Arjana (right), and staff, attentively view the evidence presented by Robin Marinos and Joan Leahy (in Foreground) of Earth Advocates on July 3, 2001, hours before the major and historic police crackdown on the Sea Turtle Trade.

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