Bali, Indonesia, May 2007
Press Release

Bali’s first ever underwater photography exhibition will open in June 2007 in a bid to show the public the beauty of coral reef ecosystems, and raise awareness about the importance of coral reef conservation in Indonesia.

The ‘Go Blue Beyond The Reef’ exhibition is being hosted by Reef Check Indonesia and internationally-renowned marine photographer Adam Powell, in collaboration with Harris Resort, Jl.Pantai Kuta, where the event will be held between June 14 and July 14. The Indonesian Culture and Tourism Department is also supporting the event.

Showcasing stunning and vibrant images taken by Mr Powell in tropical locations around the world – from Indonesia, Fiji and the Maldives to Papua New Guinea, Australia and Central America – the exhibition will provide a rare insight into what is still the largely mysterious world beneath us.

Powell describes his photographic style as “photographic art.”

“It’s a different way of looking at an already beautiful and vibrant environment. The images often end up looking quite abstract,” he said.

Powell will donate a proportion of proceeds from photo sales to Reef Check Indonesia.

Coral reefs are beautiful for divers, but they also have an important economic value for Indonesia because they support food fisheries, the marine aquarium trade and the tourism industry. For thousands of coastal Indonesians, coral is the foundation of their livelihoods.

Scientists have identified Indonesia as the world centre of marine biodiversity. Indonesia boasts one-eighth of the world’s coral reef area, providing a habitat for beautiful and extraordinary marine life.

Unfortunately, all this beauty and economic potential is under threat from destructive fishing practices, coral mining, sedimentation from deforestation and farming, pollution and global warming.

“We need to act now to save our coral reefs,” said Pariama Hutasoit, Tourism and Education Program Manager of Reef Check Indonesia.

“If there’s no coral, there’s no fish, and that affects everyone from dive and boat operators to hoteliers and souvenir traders.”

Developing fisheries and coral reef management is very important. Fisheries are a vital livelihood for many Indonesian people, but destructive fishing practices like cyanide or bombs kill our coral. This ruins the function and ecosystem services of coral reefs, and makes reefs susceptible to pressures such as global warming.

In Bali, where tourism holds the key to the economy, coral reef damage and the loss of reef fish will have direct and devastating consequences for communities reliant on healthy coral habitats.

ALL MEDIA ARE INVITED TO ATTEND THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE ‘Go Blue Beyond The Reef’ EXHIBITION AT THE HARRIS HOTEL, KUTA BEACH, FROM 6-8pm ON JUNE 14.

For more information on Reef Check Indonesia’s activities please contact Pariama Hutasoit on 0361 798 1390 or go to Reef Check Indonesia.