Snorkeling in Manokwari can be done in several islands in the Dorey bay and along the northern coast around Kaki island. I went to Mansinam island with some Dutch tourists this morning (6 October 2010). We enjoyed snorkeling there. Mansinam is really beautiful. Along the beach, we could see coconut trees, and the whole island is still covered with tropical rainforest. It's amazing to see various species of fish that live among healthy coral reefs. Zebra fish and yellow tail blue fish were not afraid of me while I was taking pictures of them.
Underwater camera
I just bought a water-housing for the Sony Cybershot digital camera that I usually use. It is a waterproof case made of plastic that can withstand the water or hydrostatic pressure up to ten meters. I was not sure if it could work underwater because the price of this underwater camera case was not expensive. It was only five hundred thousand rupiahs.
Well, back to my story about snorkeling in Mansinam island. While I was taking pictures, there was sea current. I could not stand or float still. The current of the sea pushed my body. So, I just press the shutter button hoping that the photographs of the corals and the fish were good enough to be presented in this blog. Luckily, some are good. Well, I think sharing some snorkeling photographs of the coral reef and ornamental fish from Mansinam island in Manokwari city of West Papua province can be good to attract more tourists.
Well, back to my story about snorkeling in Mansinam island. While I was taking pictures, there was sea current. I could not stand or float still. The current of the sea pushed my body. So, I just press the shutter button hoping that the photographs of the corals and the fish were good enough to be presented in this blog. Luckily, some are good. Well, I think sharing some snorkeling photographs of the coral reef and ornamental fish from Mansinam island in Manokwari city of West Papua province can be good to attract more tourists.
Eco-tourism and coral reef
Coral reef is not only important for eco-tourism but also for the environment. Coral reef absorbs CO2 gases which we emit everyday through our daily activities such as riding motorcycle or driving cars. During photosynthesis, the algae Zooxanthellae absorbs the CO2 and release oxygen. So the function of coral reef ecosystem is similar to the function of tropical rainforest. In fact, it is the tropical rainforest of the sea. It takes around fifty years for a coral to reach a size similar to an adult's head. The growth of coral reef is very slow. Coral reefs are tiny animals. They are very sensitive to extreme weather condition and disturbances on their surrounding environment. Therefore, we must protect it from destruction. Responsible eco-tourism is expected to help the local fishermen get additional income from the natural resources which they have so that they will not be tempted to use destructive method of fishing such as using bombs, poisoning, and throwing of fishnets in the reef area.
Coral reef is not only important for eco-tourism but also for the environment. Coral reef absorbs CO2 gases which we emit everyday through our daily activities such as riding motorcycle or driving cars. During photosynthesis, the algae Zooxanthellae absorbs the CO2 and release oxygen. So the function of coral reef ecosystem is similar to the function of tropical rainforest. In fact, it is the tropical rainforest of the sea. It takes around fifty years for a coral to reach a size similar to an adult's head. The growth of coral reef is very slow. Coral reefs are tiny animals. They are very sensitive to extreme weather condition and disturbances on their surrounding environment. Therefore, we must protect it from destruction. Responsible eco-tourism is expected to help the local fishermen get additional income from the natural resources which they have so that they will not be tempted to use destructive method of fishing such as using bombs, poisoning, and throwing of fishnets in the reef area.
Problems on waste management in the waters of Manokwari bay
Although Manokwari bay is very beautiful with its coral reef and tropical islands, the city dwellers have not realize its potential. They still irresponsibly throw plastic bottles on the city streets which will finally end up at sea when the rain comes. It is important for all the citizens in Manokwari city to be more responsible in handling their domestic and industrial wastes so that the waters of the Dorey or Manokwari bay will not be polluted anymore. When the plastic wastes pollute the coral reef area, they will blockade the sunlight which is a very important component for the photosyntesis process to occur. The reef will slowly die. In popular term we call it coral bleaching. Bleached corals look white and are dead corals. They cannot provide food to the fish. Then the number of fish will go down. It means the food stock in the area will automatically be affected. Fishermen have to go further away to the sea to catch fish. They will spend more fuel for that purpose. As a result the price of fish in the market will be higher than what we usually pay now.
Although Manokwari bay is very beautiful with its coral reef and tropical islands, the city dwellers have not realize its potential. They still irresponsibly throw plastic bottles on the city streets which will finally end up at sea when the rain comes. It is important for all the citizens in Manokwari city to be more responsible in handling their domestic and industrial wastes so that the waters of the Dorey or Manokwari bay will not be polluted anymore. When the plastic wastes pollute the coral reef area, they will blockade the sunlight which is a very important component for the photosyntesis process to occur. The reef will slowly die. In popular term we call it coral bleaching. Bleached corals look white and are dead corals. They cannot provide food to the fish. Then the number of fish will go down. It means the food stock in the area will automatically be affected. Fishermen have to go further away to the sea to catch fish. They will spend more fuel for that purpose. As a result the price of fish in the market will be higher than what we usually pay now.
Coral reef aquarium industry
In addition to waste management, there is another thing which really attracts my concerns. The taking of corals from its habitat for making coral reef aquarium is absolutely a violation of law. Unfortunately the people who are responsible for the destruction of the reef have not been punished. The police and the government should enforce the law which is aimed at protecting and preserving the reef so that we can still have one of the most important marine ecosytems for current and future generations.
In addition to waste management, there is another thing which really attracts my concerns. The taking of corals from its habitat for making coral reef aquarium is absolutely a violation of law. Unfortunately the people who are responsible for the destruction of the reef have not been punished. The police and the government should enforce the law which is aimed at protecting and preserving the reef so that we can still have one of the most important marine ecosytems for current and future generations.
If you are interested in visiting Manokwari as a tourist, you can contact me, Charles Roring, via email: peace4wp@gmail.com. I will be happy to arrange your trip in this area.
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1 comments:
For any place to be a successful tourist destination, its important that is clean along with being naturally beautiful. As you pointed, people throwing wastes on the streets will only hamper its image and not attract tourists thus affecting its economy.
Waste management industry
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