GILI SHARK CONSERVATION

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• Gili Shark Conservation (GSC) is a marine-conservation organisation operating in the Gili Islands (Gili Air, Gili Meno, and Gili Trawangan), Indonesia. 
• Their mission includes protecting shark species (especially juvenile reef sharks), restoring coral reefs, conducting scientific research, and educating both the local community and visiting divers. 
• They collaborate closely with NGO Gili Matra Bersama, which is their local partner for conservation, education, and community-led initiatives.
   

• Shark Research & Conservation
   
  • GSC studies populations of whitetip reef sharks and blacktip reef sharks in the Gili Matra Marine Park. 
  • Their core research methods include:
     
    • Photo identification (using individual patterns on sharks to track them) 
    • Roving survey dives, where divers systematically search for sharks and other marine life 
    • Remote Underwater Video Surveillance (RUV) to monitor shark presence without diver interference. 
    • Citizen science data collection, involving volunteers in collecting data.
       
  • Through their long-term surveys (since around 2016), they have identified 45+ individual reef sharks in the area. 
  • One of their conservation goals (2023–2028) is to monitor juvenile shark residency, movement, and habitat preferences — especially for whitetip reef sharks. 
  • They also aim to identify shark birthing (“pupping”) patterns to determine whether key sites function as nursery grounds.
     
• Coral Reef Restoration
   
  • GSC runs coral restoration projects. They use structures like hex domes (artificial coral framework) to transplant coral fragments. 
  • These restored reef sites often overlap with shark-important habitats — for instance, areas that may function as nursery grounds for younger reef sharks. 
  • The restoration work is done in partnership with organisations like the International SeaKeepers Society.
     
• Community Engagement & Education
   
  • GSC runs conservation‐education programs in local schools. They teach about marine biodiversity, the importance of sharks, and coastal ecosystem protection.
  • They also operate a #PlasticFreeParadise campaign aimed at reducing plastic pollution on the Gili Islands — working with locals, tourists, and businesses. 
  • Through their partnership with Gili Matra Bersama, GSC supports scholarship programs, especially for Indonesian women, to build local capacity in marine science and conservation.
     
• Beach & Underwater Clean-ups
   
  • As part of their 2023–2028 goals, they plan to organize 200 beach clean-ups across the Gili Islands.
  • They also aim to do 100 underwater clean-ups, targeting dive sites and harbour areas to remove pollution and collect data about marine debris.
     
• Partnerships & Conservation Network
   
  • GSC works with PADI Aware, especially on dive-based citizen science. 
  • They also maintain close ties with Gili Eco Trust, which supports reef restoration, marine conservation, and education. 
  • Their efforts align with global conservation movements: for example, they have been acknowledged by Mission Blue (a campaign for global ocean protection).
     

• Shark Population Monitoring: By tracking individual reef sharks and studying their behavior, GSC contributes critical scientific data that can inform management of the Gili Matra Marine Park.
• Habitat Protection: Restoration of coral reef habitats not only benefits coral and fish, but also supports shark ecology, especially for juveniles that may depend on such areas.
• Plastic Pollution Reduction: Their clean-up programs help reduce waste entering the ocean, directly benefiting marine species and improving ecosystem health.
• Community Capacity Building: Through education and scholarships, GSC helps build local leadership in conservation, ensuring that long-term stewardship is rooted in the community.
• Research Experience for Volunteers: GSC offers programs (Research Assistant, Divemaster Conservation, Shark Specialist) that allow people to contribute meaningfully — not just as tourists, but as part of scientific and conservation teams.
   

• Long-Term Data Needs: Monitoring shark populations and establishing nursery areas requires consistent, long-term data collection; this is resource-intensive.
• Community Engagement: While education is a strong part of their mission, changing deep-rooted behaviors (e.g., plastic use, fishing practices) is a gradual process.
• Funding: Conservation programs (research, clean-ups, coral restoration) require ongoing funding — GSC depends on donations, volunteer programs, and partnerships.
• Tourism Pressure: The Gili Islands are a major tourist destination; balancing tourism growth with ecological protection is a continuous challenge.
   

• Keystone Species Protection: Sharks play critical roles in marine ecosystems. By protecting reef sharks, GSC helps maintain the balance of the reef ecosystem.
• Scietific Contribution: Their research fills important knowledge gaps about shark behavior, movement, and population dynamics in the Coral Triangle region.
• Integrated Conservation: GSC doesn’t focus solely on sharks — they link shark research with coral restoration, waste management, and community education, creating a holistic conservation model.
• Sustainable Volunteerism: For travelers and aspiring marine-conservationists, GSC provides a meaningful way to engage — combining diving, research, and real-world impact.

Instagram  https://www.instagram.com/gilisharkconservation?igsh=MTRtYnBvZzVoaDBicA== 

Website https://www.gilisharkconservation.com/