Development of the Coastline & Sea of Lodge Kura-Hulanda
This project involves evaluation of the development of the coastline at Lodge Kura Hulanda, as well as the culturing and production of various marine species and plants using the existing natural environment.

On July 2006 I arrived to the eco-lodge in WestPoint to study the environmental conditions and to suggest plans for a feasible economic project that will involve culture and production of various marine species and plants – using the natural existing environment and within the concept behind the implementation and development of the eco-lodge and the entire area. My suggested “frame plan” is based on the basic information that was gathered through actual review of the site (sea, shore and land), meetings and interviews with people (official and private), technical / environmental data from various marine sources and experts and on-going discussions and exchange of ideas with Leo Helms.

Description
The natural conditions are favorable for implementation of different sections, each engaged in another aspect of the marine environment, related to each other, constantly contributing one to the other and to the whole area. Although it cannot become a massive production project – the plan can contribute significantly to the tourism in the area, the hotel's needs for quality seafood and as “nursery” for further development of intensive production of seaweed and aquarium corals.


AREA
Length: 700 meter (+10%) - From the boats & diving pier to the bottom of the cliff under the planned private houses.
Width: 5 to 100 – Wider in front of the beach (cost to “drop” of reef) and less along the cliff. 


Description & Sections 
Beach: To allow wider sandy area and improved access to the water – it is suggested to: 

1. Remove the dead corals from the water line and beach, and the “fence” that was built there. 

2. The removed corals (action that should be constantly done) can be used for structure of seats and tables, sculptures. 

3. Wave breaker will be constructed in the sea, within 10m from the water line, in front of the western part of the beach, 
   where there is a sandy bottom – to allow the sand to stay and widen the beach – without damaging the reef.

Underwater in front the beach
To turn it into more attractive site for snorkeling and underwater experience (in the shallow waters) to wide range of visitors, as well as in order to rehabilitate and maintain the marine environment in the area.


Build an underwater “aquarium”
C dimension of 10mX10m and height that will reach about 80cm under the water surface constructed on the bottom of the sea (about 2.5m depth) with existing natural coral community. Its size will be 10mX10m and height to 80cm under the water surface, made of glass or other similar suitable material, allowing free access of the water and any organisms smaller than the ones inside.

The “aquarium” will be stocked (and constantly renewed) with various reef fish, crustaceans and bivalves, soft and hard corals and sea whips – to create a mini natural rich reef habitat for underwater experience, accessible to all kind of visitors that can not go for deep diving (such as young children, untrained people, disables, etc.).


Renewal and recovery of coral communities
Various local types of corals and sea whips will be brought (from the deep reef or other places in the region) and “planted” on and next to existing coral communities. This procedure will be conducted each time on small existing coral community, so that it will not limit too much the on-going activity of the visitors.

The treated areas will be marked as “out of limit” to divers or swimmers, to allow its recovery. Same activity will take place on the cliff at the western part of the beach - to achieve faster recovery of marine life in the area and create more attracting environment to the various marine living creatures.


CLIFF and its SHELTERS
The natural structure of the cliff (along some 500m, from the western part of the beach) has certain portions that create caves, rock shelf's and very small bays – that can be suitable for extensive and semi-intensive culture and growing of some marine species (such as fish, bivalves, seaweed, corals and lobsters).

It seems feasible to grow under controlled methods the following: 
    -   Groupers and snappers – for the hotels consumption. 
    -   Lobsters – for the hotels consumption and for re-stocking. 
    -   Soft and hard corals – for re-planting on dead or poor coral communities (at the whole area), which will then 
        contribute also to increase the fish population (benefits fishermen) 
    -   Bivalves (shell species) – for improvement of the marine environment and for human consumption. 
    -   Seaweed / Algae – acclimatization and nursing of high commercial potential, for potential future use in 
        high-intensive culture facilities.




Those suggested activities would be implemented by: 

Fish
The open sea side of suitable caves and small bays along the cliff will be closed by net with mesh size that will allow free water circulation and avoid escape of fish of minimum desired size. Captured fish of various sizes will be brought from different locations and stocked in the close site (if suitable, large lobsters can also be stocked together with the fish).

Fish feed will consist of the natural food that will penetrate with the open sea flow and with additional formulated or natural available food. Harvest of fish will be according the needs, volume and method that will be decided for most efficient management of the place. Re-stocking will be managed to achieve optimal biological and environmental balance.

Lobsters
Suitable small bays and caves attached to the cliff (smaller then the ones required for fish), with enough hiding and protected shelters, will be closed as in the fish section. Re-stocking, feeding and harvesting – will be preformed as with the fish.

Corals, Bivalves and Seaweed
Designated places will be where there is natural shelf and big flat rocks that are almost attached to the cliff – constantly covered by sea water (<20c”m) or reached by the waves during the calmest sea conditions and tide level. Selected species of soft and hard corals will be planted in water-covered places that are protected from the waves and harvested and re-planted later on. Re-stocking will take place, if needed, to support the natural growth.

Bivalves (shells) will be stocked in two groups, edible species on shelf and rocks that are accessible for harvesting and re-stocking and non-edible species in all other suitable places for natural growth and rogation. Seaweed of the species Eucheuma spp. and Gracilaria spp. (that are found in the region) will be stocked on protected places near the cliff and in coral communities for experimental growth that if proves feasible, can be used as natural stock for the intensive culture in the future. Other seaweed species will be introduced from other regions, to experiment its possible acclimatization and future culture. This will be done on separate controlled sections. Sea whips will be planted also near coral communities along the cliff, for improvement of fish habitat.


SUPPORTING ACTIVITIES
It was observed that fishing and trapping by local fishermen is practiced in the area, also in front of the beach. This creates conflict with the present users of the beach and the reef (swimmers and divers). It can become even greater conflict, when the development of the environment will start and attract more fish. To minimize this conflict and almost eliminate it, it is suggested to: 

    -    Take the necessary legal measures that will allow protecting the developed area from
          unauthorized entrance and use. 
    -    Conduct fish attracting environment, out of the developed area by: 
          Financing one of the Fisheries Dept. fish attracting units (as were operated in other areas in the island) 
          Create immediate underwater habitat by sinking a vessel near the reef, in front the fishing harbor
          Conduct “educational and explanatory” campaign among the fishermen, presenting their immediate 
          and future benefit of the project. 
          Improve the harbor area and create tourism attractions (e.g. seafood restaurant, aquarium with local fish, etc.) 
          which the fishermen and/or their community members can directly benefit from it.


Summary
I believe that implementation of the suggested plan, will have a significant contribution to the tourism in the lodge and it's related marine and costal area, as well as to the restaurants and Kura Hulanda Hotel.

Furthermore, as the suggested plan will have a positive effect on the entire area, by rehabilitating and improving the marine environment, by attracting more tourists and increasing the local sources of income – there is good chance to get Governmental support (financing and incentives). The nature and course of the plan allows implementing it in phases.

As soon as this frame plan is approved (in all or partly) – I will prepare the budget requirement for its detailed planning and implementation.