Expeditions

/

What is Wallacea Expeditions?

Wallacea Expeditions is a volunteer-based field activities designed to generate profits that can support sustainable conservation efforts. This educational tourism program is led by PT JBS in partnership with the YAPEKA Foundation and local partners, particularly in YAPEKA-supported villages. We work closely with POKMASWAS (Kelompok Masyarakat Pengawas), a community group dedicated to safeguarding coastal environments. By reinvesting profits into initiatives that protect Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), we reinforce our commitment to conservation. POKMASWAS monitors fishing practices and ensures MPA boundaries are respected, making them a key partner and primary beneficiary in our mission to preserve vital ecosystems

Wallacea expeditions provides a comprehensive experience, combining ecosystem visits with real scientific activities including surveys, monitoring, data analysis, and presenting findings to local communities and scientific circles within the expedition area. Additionally, participants can also engage in ecosystem rehabilitation and enjoy recreational activities such as fun dives and guided tours to nearby cities and sites around North Minahasa. By joining, participants can fully immerse themselves in local culture, staying in local homestay and eat local foods and drinks, experiencing life at the heart of the community.”

Our Aims

Our expeditions offer hands-on marine conservation experiences while working to create a sustainable conservation fund. Through local partnerships and the use of locally sourced goods and services, we support environmental protection and empower communities, ensuring lasting benefits for both ecosystems and local economies.

Using trusted scientific methods, we aim to create a time series database that empowers local stakeholders to better understand their environment and make informed conservation decisions. This database will also support our partner YAPEKA in communicating findings to the government of Indonesia, potentially influencing national environmental policies.

Expeditions Highlights

Seagrass ecosystems are vital for dugongs, which feed exclusively on seagrass. By understanding the health of these meadows, we can ensure the survival of these majestic creatures. The BRUV will help us identify species richness and underwater biodiversity, while drone surveys will monitor dugong populations and behaviors. Coastal ecosystem restoration act as an effort to recover the destructed area.

Seagrass and Coral Reef Monitoring: Using Seagrass Watch, underwater transects and Seagrass Spotcheck, we’ll assess the health of seagrass meadows and coral reef, essential feeding grounds for dugongs.
Dugong Surveillance: Our team will employ drones to conduct aerial surveys, offering a rare glimpse into the lives and behaviors of these gentle sea mammals.
Fish and Animal Abundance Monitoring: Through Baited Remote Underwater Video (BRUV), we’ll document the vibrant marine life and assess the condition of coral reefs.
Ecosystem Restoration: Efforts include mangrove and coral transplantation to restore damaged coastal areas.

Our Long-term Vision

In an ideal world, the Wallacea Expedition will generate comprehensive time series of data on seagrass, dugongs, and coral reefs in our expedition area such as North Minahasa. Collected methodically and periodically, this data will be invaluable for spatial and temporal comparisons. Our partners, including YAPEKA and other scientific collaborators, can utilize this robust dataset to assess the environmental health of the North Minahasa coastal ecosystem, refine conservation strategies, and make informed predictions about future environmental conditions.

This data will also be delivered to the government of Indonesia, helping them make informed decisions and policymaking. This collaboration and the resulting data will not only enhance our understanding and protection of these precious ecosystems but also empower local communities to sustain and cherish their natural heritage, and you can be a part of it!

Why You Should Join Us?

Your Role in Conservation: By participating in this expedition, you become an essential part of a larger environmental movement. Your efforts will directly contribute to preserving the delicate balance of our local partners coastal ecosystems.

Leisure and Exploration: One of our site, North Minahasa have calm seas and clear skies that make it an ideal destination for beginner divers and snorkelers. During your free time, you can enjoy fun dives or snorkeling adventures in pristine waters. Explore the natural wonders of Tangkoko National Park or unwind on the serene beaches of Lihaga, Talise, or Gangga Island.

Join us on this incredible journey where science meets adventure, and every dive brings us closer to understanding and preserving our planet’s marine treasures. Let’s make a difference together in North Minahasa Expedition!