Manta Ray of Nusa Penida

[BlueScreenProductions]

This movie was filmed during a trip to Bali (Lembongan), Indonesia in 2012

My girlfriend and I dived and snorkelled several times at a location called "Manta Bay" off the adjacent island of Nusa Penida. The Manta Rays congregate there to feed and mingle, however they are joined by a large collection of rubbish from the nearby island of Bali. The rubbish is so dense that it regularly enters the mantas mouths while they are trying to feed. This movie was created to not only exhibit the beauty of the Manta Rays of Nusa Penida but also to demonstrate the excessive garbage problem now hindering the coastlines surrounding Bali.

Watch in HD!

[youtubehq]lJsDYy0FjMY[/youtubehq]

Filmed: Nicholas Hart
Edited: Nicholas Hart and Susan Tong

Camera: Canon 600D
Lens: Tokina 10-17mm
Housing: Ikelite
Song: Billy Joel - And So It Goes

Special Thanks to Scooby Doo Hotel and Lembongan Dive Center.

Blue Screen Productions 2013

 

[divewench1]

Great video, I've done that dive many, many times and never fail to be moved by the shear beauty of the Giant Manta here.

Unfortunately, as there isn't any infrastructure set up to deal with the garbage on Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan and the mainland of Bali, the river run-off into the ocean can be a problem, especially in rainy season. Thank you for bringing this to the attention of the diving public. Until there is some improvement in the removal and disposal of waste, this problem will not go away. This also affects the Mola Mola (also seen along the Nusa Penida coastline) who mistake the floating plastic bags for delicious jellyfish and swallow large numbers of plastic on a daily basis, so sad.

Is there any chance of you linking this video through to the Indonesia section too?

 

[BlueScreenProductions]

Glad you enjoyed the video, the dive masters at lembongan were really aware of the problem but just seemed overwhelmed because no matter how much rubbish they removed, a similar amount was there within days

I have also posted this video in the Indonesia section as well, thanks

 

[divewench1]

My husband and I ran a dive shop in Padang Bai, Bali for 3 years, and we would collect the floating rubbish every day. This went into the wheelie bins at the dive centre on our return. Each morning a lorry would arrive to remove the garbage and empty all the bins in the village. The lorry would then drive to the nearest dry river-bed where the waste would be dumped. Then, when it rained, or during rainy season, the waste would be washed straight back into the sea.

The Indonesians are doing their best with the lack of facilities on the island, however, they just cannot cope with the amount of rubbish that is generated daily, from households and tourists in Bali and the surrounding islands, and the lack of proper refuse disposal and incineration.

 

[Pam and Stella]

Interesting, any possible way to start a non profit business removing this flotsom and jetsom? I would love to help out with this cause !