Pak Eka

Dive Certified 2007

Dive Certification Level SSI Dive Guide

Expertise Reef rehabilitation and community organizing

Social Media facebook.com/made.merta.1088

Pak Eka is a former cyanide fisherman turned diver, leader and conservationist in Indonesia. His STARR (Scientific Trial Active Reef Rehabilitation) program is an annual scientist-led dive expedition and 2024 PADI AWARE grantee that works with the National University of Singapore to help build coral tables to nurture coral fragments before transplanting them on the natural reef.

Q: How did you transition your life from being a fisherman to protecting the reefs?

A: In the past, my friends and I were coral destroyers. We used potassium cyanide to catch ornamental fish. When we started in the 1980s, we didn’t know or care about the impact of potassium cyanide. We had a low level of education. We were focused only on getting income to support our families. After 13 years of this, I observed alarming conditions for our future. Damaged reefs, no fish, no income. My friends and I agreed to form an organization and learn together about barrier net fishing. Over the course of a year, all members successfully stopped using cyanide. We then decided to restore the coral reefs that we had previously damaged. We saw many failures, but in 2007 I could see we had something successful. We never stopped replanting, maintaining and protecting coral reefs because they are an asset worth preserving.

Related Reading: More Than Muck: Another Side to Lembeh Strait, Indonesia

Q: How did you revive your village’s coral reefs?

A: We started with small, simple structures. At first, we had many failures. Then, we learned to improve on our technique and continuously developed larger and more permanent structures. We also have an adopt-a-coral program to raise funds. We have received support from the government and private companies to make several structures. And now we work with experts from universities in Singapore, Australia and the U.S. to link our effort with the science community.

Q: Tell us about the annual scientist-led dive expedition known as STARR.

A: We built coral tables to nurture coral fragments before transplanting them on the natural reef. We learned monitoring and survey techniques and created substrate material mixtures. With them, we are trying to find out which coral species are more resilient in our village.

Q: What’s been your most satisfying moment?

A: That would be the moment I succeeded in making a putty that sets underwater using only locally available and affordable materials. Also, whenever I dive and see the improvements in our coral reefs and that the fishes are back.

Q: What’s been your most surprising moment?

A: Seeing marine animals that have disappeared in our village, such as turtles, come back.

Related Reading: 6 Animal Encounters to Add to Your Bucket List

Q: Anything else you want readers to know?

A: I urge all divers to help protect the under water environment, especially coral reefs. Diving activities should not cause damage. Preserving the environment requires great dedication and sacrifice over time.

This interview was translated by Edgar Bernal.

Each month in Scuba Diving, we feature a Sea Hero who has been nominated by their community members for their commitment to the advancement of conservation, education, and exploration. In our December issue, judges select a Sea Hero of the Year. Nominate a Sea Hero at scubadiving.com/seaheroes.