REEF GARDENERS
Throughout the world, coral reefs have suffered enormously from the warming up of the seas, for example after El Nino in 1998. In Bali, this was followed by a crown of thorns starfish epidemic, an epidemic which is fatal to the coral. In combination with years of fishing with cyanide and dynamite, this has resulted in the total destruction of reefs in the area.

Chris Brown helped to ban fishing with cyanide and dynamite, and the fisherman were invited to help restore and maintain the reefs. A number of artificial reefs were created and existing reefs restored. New coral growth can be further encouraged by sinking metal cage-constructions charged with a weak current. This project came into the international spotlight thanks to a documentary on Discovery channel.

The Reef gardeners of Pemuteran consist of a group of 12 trained local workers
who are now working full-time on improving the reefs, protecting the fish stocks and educating local residents and tourists about reef preservation The Pemuteran Foundation also provides financial support for this project, as the reefs provide a vital source of income for the local population.

TURTLE HATCHERY
The green sea turtle has been around since the days of the dinosaurs (some 100 million years) and is one of the oldest known living creatures on our planet. Every year on Bali alone, some 30,000 young sea turtles are killed. Their meat is seen as a delicacy (as are their eggs), and their shells are used for decorative purposes in jewellery, for example. These turtles are also in danger from increased pollution in their environment and building development along the coast, which they need as a breeding ground.     

In 1994, a local fisherman accidentally caught a sea turtle in one of his nets. Chris Brown bought the creature to save it. A second turtle soon followed and the sea turtle project was born. Donations enable Chris to build water and sandbanks, and villagers started selling the eggs they found instead of eating them. Some 3,000 turtles have since been released into the sea from the breeding ground and the local population is now aware of the importance of protecting these creatures. All residents in the area bring turtles (often caught by accident) to the Turtle Hatchery.