DIVE LOG JUNE 2025 issue 412

Schooling Batfish

You would not believe what happened! The protected reefs rebounded, fish stocks improved and spilled over to surrounding reefs. When the fishers noticed that they catch was improving with both more fish and larger fish, they became active guardians of the protected reefs. Is there a better method of protecting the ocean than by getting the local fishers committed to protecting their livelihood? They stop illegal fishing and even police the reefs voluntarily. The result of all of this diplomacy and foresight is a living resort where divers can frolic in the ocean with abundant marine life. Better still, the fish are unafraid and used to divers which they learn are not a threat. Fish are not stupid. They quickly learn that divers are there to enjoy, not to kill. What we do not want is a dive on a reef where all the fish are so nervous and in fear that they hide as soon as they see you. Worse still, we do not want to dive on a reef with hardly any fish, no sharks or turtles.

Dive resorts around the world need to wake up to the fact that overfishing and over exploitation of dive sites leave them in a state of desolation. No diver wants to swim with dead reefs that are devoid of life and unhealthy. Sadly, this is not uncommon in some parts of the world. Many cultures depend on the sea for their livelihood but they need to preserve some breeding grounds. As more time passes, the Reefs around Wakatobi will develop better corals with even more fish life. Everyone will see the benefit of the conservation. I know that many dive resorts around the world are attempting to develop a similar strategy. I strongly advise every dive resort in the world to study the model that they have successfully developed here at Wakatobi. The end result will be a community that benefits from employment, reefs that are healthy and abundant and dive tourists that are rewarded with great diving. Another unique feature of Wakatobi is the location. The name Wakatobi is a summarised

Anemone fish looking through its sponge window

Dive staff give a detailed dive briefing before each dive

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Dive Log Australasia #412 June ‘25

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