I Gede Hendrawan - Oceans are Integral to Bali's Future

I Gede Hendrawan is a marine scientist and professor of the Faculty of Marine Sciences and Fisheries at Udayana University. Hendrawan has written several papers on marine debris off of Bali's coast, as well as studies on sedimentation rates in Benoa Bay and other places around Bali. An avid environmentalist, Hendrawan has dedicated his life to studying the health and status of marine life in the hopes of providing a sustainable future for generations to come.

Hendrawan completed his PhD in science and engineering at Yamaguchi university in Japan, with a thesis on tidal currents in Benoa Bay back in 2014. Hendrawan is a member of several professional societies, including the Indonesian Physical Society and the International Society of Remote Sensing and Earth Sciences. He has also been a lecturer at Udayana University since 2009, lecturing on topics such as coastal marine management and conservation.

This year Hendrawwan also received a grant from the Australian national University for research into the threat of microplastics to aquatic life in Benoa Bay. The Indonesian Ministry of Research, Technology and Higher Education also provided him with a grant in 2018 to formulate a strategic plan to reduce marine plastic in Nusa Dua.

Hendrawan has also published over 20 papers on sediment distribution and other environmental concerns in Indonesia's waters, and currently serves as an Editor in Chief for the Journal of Marine Research and Technology. 

Why did you decide to become an environmental marine scientist?

It saddens me to see the current condition of the environment, which was caused by the over-exploitation of nature, and I don’t want it to affect my grandchildren’s future. I wasn’t always interested in anything related to the marine environment. However, in the last few years the damage that has been inflicted on the ocean caught my attention. Specifically, the damage to the ocean’s ecosystem caused by mankind (antrophogenic). I graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Physics, with a focus on Environmental Physics. I used the knowledge that I had in physics to carry out a research on the issues of sea dynamics; more specifically the oceanography process in coastal areas with numerical modelling. The future of life is in the ocean, and in order to preserve that future we need people to move and make sure that we protect the ocean from mankind’s greed. We are all aware that the future of the ocean is at risk, which is why I decided that I needed to be more involved in saving it.

Bali has some major development projects in the works such as the Benoa Bay reclamation project. The project has faced stiff opposition from local and international groups who worry about its environmental impact and the impact on local jobs. as a marine specialist, what is your opinion on the project?

I think there is something wrong with the Benoa Bay reclamation project if it is linked to restoration and revitalization. The recovery of Benoa Bay must be judged by the primary factors that continue to degrade the bay.

First, one of Benoa Bay’s major problem is caused by the flow of the river that empties into the bay. Changes in land harvesting function has led to increased sediments entering the bay, leading to increased sedimentation and inoculation. The low quality of river water entering the bay has resulted in decreasing quality of coastal water ecosystems in Benoa Bay, worsened by things such as garbage, clothes, household waste, etc.

Secondly, the reclamation of Serangan island has actually adversely affected the environmental conditions in Benoa Bay. The reclamation of the island was done in 1994 and has resulted in poor water circulation in the bay. This is compounded by the accumulation of pollutants caused by the amount of time water spends in the bay (known as residence time). The low flushing rate causes all pollutants entering the bay to have the potential to accumulate in the bay, which in the long run will adversely affect the bay’s ecosystem.

The answer to this problem is to revitalize the river flow. To improve Benoa Bay, there must be revitalization in the upstream area. We must make sure that the water flow from the river that empties into the bay is free from garbage and other types of waste. We must prevent exploitation of the land around the river in order to stop the increase of sedimentation rates. If the intention is to revitalize Benoa Bay, then what should first be done is the revitalization of the upstream area; not reclamation.

TWBI, the company behind the project, insists the impact will be minimal and even beneficial, based on their report. are they missing something?

The Benoa Bay reclamation will not only impact oceanography dynamics but also have a far more dangerous ecological impact on the future of our marine resources. The mangrove at Benoa Bay has a lot of significance in Bali. It is a spawning and parenting area for fish that supplies Bali with its marine resources. Moreover, the mangrove acts as a sediment catcher, and plays a significant part in maintaining the seagrass and coral reef ecosystems that exist outside of the bay (such as Sanur and Nusa Penida). It is certainly very important for any marine tourism activities, because the mangrove maintains the clarity of the waters that exist outside the bay. The mangrove maintains the quality of the waters around Sanur and Nusa Dua.

Pererenan similarly is building a large seawall on the beach and into the ocean. What kind of impact could this project have on Pererenan and the surrounding area's marine life and sediment?

The making of the seawall should be done very carefully, especially if it is done on Pererenan beach which could be used as a natural beach and for good surf. The shoreline changes made by modifying the shoreline geometry will have an impact on the pattern of the current. Changes in current patterns in the coastal areas have an impact on sediment transport, which will often result in potential accretion and abrasion. To be sure of the impact that will occur, careful planning should be carried out in advance. Oceanographic modeling and mapping are particularly important so we can predict the impact of the shoreline geometry changes.

With all of these projects going on, what is your outlook for Bali's marine ecology? Is the government and parties involved taking the necessary steps to protect marine life? Are the leaders taking their time to do the right studies and work to protect the environment?

All levels of society should pay serious attention to the over-exploitation of the potential beaches in Bali. It is our joint responsibility. If we neglect to anticipate, then the future of Bali tourism will be threatened by the destruction of coastal ecology, which is the main draw for tourists visiting Bali.

Have there been any changes in Bali's waves as a result of large projects?

The effect of large projects on Bali´s waves, takes many years to show. In Bali but we have several jetties and seawalls that have been found to reduce the energy of the waves. If we change the shape of the coastline and the seabed topography that will absolutely affect the waves in the future.

If Bali's waves deteriorate, will this have a negative impact on tourism?

Our environmental law states we must build within a 100 - 200 meter setback from the shoreline. This law is meant to protect our beaches and waves. I am quite certain that any negative change to Bali's waves will adversely affect Bali tourism. The island is historically known for having the best waves for surfing, which is why it is labeled a surfer's paradise. Tourists visit Bali to surf (or learn how to surf) the famous waves. The waves in Bali carry a lot of value, so if they were to change, it threatens the country's foreign exchange. Beaches are constantly being built on and the law is not being followed. Beaches are being disturbed by development, disrupting the natural course of the waves. If this disruption continues, it will eventually impact the number of tourists who hunt waves in Bali, and ultimately impact tourism in Bali as a whole.

Are there any innovative solutions out there that could form a compromise between local demands, environmental concerns and economic development?

The seas and beaches of Bali have great potential in driving the economy of people in Bali. The economic value of the beach's beauty, the waves for surfing, and the underwater ecosystem have very high value. Damaging the beaches and oceans in Bali is suicidal and will adversely affect the economy of the Balinese people. Society must see that the beach and the ocean provide life for us in the present and in the future, instead of promoting excessive exploitation that only has temporary results. If we want to benefit from marine and coastal resources, then we must guard it and reject ways that are not friendly to the environment.

Finally, what do you feel can be done on a local and wider national/international level to ensure that such development projects have the environment and local people's best interests in mind?

The beaches and the sea in Bali are the future of the Balinese community, so locals must assume more responsibility for plans that can damage the environment. All stakeholders such as communities, investors, government, tourism practitioners, as well as tourists should have the same vision for the ocean and beaches in Bali. The government as a regulator must have a vision and vested interest in maintaining the sustainability of marine and coastal resources in Bali. The activities that are needed to harness the resources should ensure that no damage will result to existing resources. To be able to guarantee an activity will not adversely affect the environment, studies must be thoroughly and correctly carried out and not only used as a required formality, which it currently is.