Marine ecologist Rili Djohani’s journey into marine conservation began beneath the waves. As a seasoned diver, Djohani was captivated by the underwater beauty of the Coral Triangle, a region often called the “Amazon of the Seas” for its unparalleled marine richness, spanning the waters of Indonesia, the Philippines, and beyond.
“I’ve dived all over Indonesia and am always amazed by the beauty underwater—the diversity of corals, the colours, the fish. It’s just mind-blowing,” she says. But it was her firsthand experience with the destruction of these ecosystems—especially the devastating effects of dynamite fishing—that propelled her into action.
Determined to make a difference, Djohani co-founded the Coral Triangle Center (CTC) in 2010, a non-profit organisation dedicated to protecting and restoring the marine ecosystems of the Coral Triangle. A year later, her team began working closely with local communities and the Indonesian government to establish a Marine Protected Area (MPA) around Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan, and Nusa Ceningan.
Located in the heart of the Coral Triangle, this area is home to over 570 species of reef fish, including graceful manta rays and the majestic ocean sunfish, as well as nearly 300 coral species, representing 76 per cent of all known coral types. Nusa Penida’s ecosystems are vital to the livelihoods of its 48,000 residents, who depend on the ocean for sustenance and income. The islands’s stunning natural beauty also attracts thousands of tourists each year, presenting both challenges and opportunities for sustainable development.
Collaboration with local residents has been integral to the MPA’s success. “We got great support early on from the communities, which has been pivotal for this MPA,” says Djohani. Through training programs, the CTC has empowered local residents to manage the MPA, monitor marine life, and lead eco-tours, all while offering sustainable alternatives to traditional income sources like fishing. The MPA also serves as a model for balancing conservation with sustainable development, as the community works to revive traditional seaweed farming and create zones for responsible marine tourism.
The CTC also focuses on restoration. Coral reefs are regrown using sand-coated steel frames, and 10,000 mangroves were planted with the help of local group Satya Posana Nusa. These mangroves are vital to the marine ecosystem, serving as nurseries for fish, shielding the islands from storms, and capturing carbon to combat climate change.
This transformative work is powered by Rolex’s Perpetual Planet Initiative. Launched in 2019, the initiative has become a global force for environmental conservation, focusing on three critical areas: ocean conservation, wilderness protection, and the preservation of biodiversity.
Through the Perpetual Planet Initiative, Rolex has partnered with organisations like Mission Blue, which is dedicated to safeguarding the ocean’s most vulnerable ecosystems. Mission Blue’s creation of Hope Spots—designated marine areas crucial to biodiversity and ecological health—is a cornerstone of this effort.
Today, the Nusa Penida MPA has been designated a “Hope Spot” as part of this initiative, and with ongoing support, the Nusa Penida MPA will continue to serve as a beacon of hope, illustrating that sustainable development and conservation can coexist.
“As more people are inspired to take action, I feel hopeful that we can push for healthier seas,” says Wira Sanjaya, CTC’s Bali project manager.
In this context, the word “perpetual” carries a deeper meaning than simply a measure of time for Rolex. It also represents the brand’s enduring commitment to preserving the world’s most vital ecosystems for future generations—ensuring that, just as their iconic watches continue to keep time, our planet’s oceans will continue to thrive.
READ MORE
Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative Creates Change at Kep Archipelago Hope Spot
Rolex-Supported Ocean Study Surveys Galápagos Islands
The Rolex Oyster Perpetual GMT-Master II Is Still One Of The World’s Most Sought-After Watches