Jessica and Benjamin Graves – Bira Proejct Co-Managers
As high season here in Bira draws to a close so we draw breath and take stock of the extraordinary encounters all have had and how busy our interns have been helping Blue Planet with all their guests. There have been courses galore, not least for our Zeros-to-hero – Asis Mediavilla (Spain) and Svenja Sausen (Germany) – who had done no previous courses and barely a try-dive but who, 14 weeks and over 100 dives later, graduated in August as divemasters.
As spring moved into summer, so the waters of South Sulawesi gradually cool, with lows of 23 degrees centigrade, and with the cooling waters so come the exciting megafauna. Reports among staff and interns alike abound with Mola alexandrine, of pelagic thresher sharks (Alopias pelagicus) and a tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvier), but most exciting of all for instructor Jess and her group was a surfacing leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea), an extremely rare first for Bira. The currents have returned with a vengeance to Eagle Rock and not a day goes past without request to return to the vast shoals of trevally, barracuda; the hunting giant trevally (Caranx ignobilis), dogtooth tuna (Gymnosarda unicolor), narrow-barred Spanish mackerel (Scomberomorus commerson), and whitetip (Triaenodon obesus), blacktip (Carcharinus melanopterus) and grey reef sharks (Charcharinus amblyrhynchos); and cruising marble (Taeniurops meyeniI and spotted eagle rays (Aetobatus narinari), that such current engenders.
As well as busy dives so have our interns been busy. Our weekly beach cleans continue to be (unfortunately) productive with 217kg collected in July and August alone. Our mangrove planting enterprise bears continuous fruit with 64 mangroves planted and to such germinating success that come the next outing we must move to a new area to find space for more propagules. And throughout the quarter we have completed 54 ecology workshops.
Though dry season is upon us and biblical thunderstorms and downpours are behind us, new challenges are presented. The lack of rain means fewer fruiting trees and so our neighbours, the moor macaques (Macaca maura) come looking for an easy meal in the intern kitchen, forcing creative security solutions out of Blue Planet co-owners Robin and Sylvain. And the search for water forced out of hiding a dwarf cuscus (Strigocuscus celebensis) mother and baby who took up nest in the roof of the interns’ bungalow.
Though new fauna brings much excitement but so the departure of colleagues brings much sadness. We bade a fond farewell firstly to marine biologist and superwoman Qinthan, who has been promoted and relocated to our Penida Project, responsible for all IOP’s research assistants and project-wide community outreach. For two years dedicated her all to conservation and making Bira a better place. Her tireless work in conservation tuition and report writing, coral planting and maintenance, and community engagement has left an indelible mark on Bira and everyone who got to know her. She will be truly missed. Following Qinthan off to pastures new was research assistant Kholil, known for his immaculately coiffured hair and a favourite amongst the interns with his calm demeanour and affable nature, it was a sad day when it came to say goodbye. Kholil is heading to his native South-East Sulawesi to continue his conservation journey. He will be missed. Though we said goodbye to two true friends, we have welcomed a new one. Yuly has joined us as Research Assistant and has already jumped into her tasks with aplomb and we know she will be a valued colleague.
We offer our heartfelt congratulations to the following interns who have graduated over the last quarter: Natalia Ritchie (Canada), Anna Hoemberg (Germany), Pauline Guerin (France), Antonin Boniteau (France), Asis Mediavilla (Spain), Owen de Haas (Netherlands), Christopher Hunt (USA), Svenja Sausen (Germany), Jasmine Lissitsin (Germany), Myles Murphy (UK), Axl Arnould (France), Nadine Willkomm (Germany), and Kevin Smulders (UK). Each of these individuals has contributed their unique talents, energy, and perspectives to our project, enriching the experience for all involved. We are incredibly proud of their hard work and dedication and wish them every success as they embark on their next adventures, wherever they may lead. Keep shining brightly!
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