5 MIN READ
06-11-2025
Beyond the Beauty: Why We Keep Coming Back
Kubik, 4ocean Jembrana Content Correspondent
For nearly a month now, the 4ocean crew has been deep in a coastal mangrove zone—working in thick roots, still waters, and under a punishing sun. It’s a place known for its marine biodiversity and postcard-worthy views. But underneath the surface, plastic clings to roots like a second skin—quietly building up over time, hidden beneath the beauty.
On June 11, Unit 02, led by Hapid and Nopal, teamed up with the photography crew to inspect other potential problem areas around the island’s coastline. While some units pushed deeper into the mangroves aboard The Dugong and Ponton to continue ongoing work, Unit 02 patrolled the beaches.
That’s when they found it.
A 200-meter stretch of beach on the island’s western coast, once pristine, was blanketed in plastic bottles, tangled nets, and drink containers. Without hesitation, Hapid and Nopal docked and began a focused, fast-paced cleanup—clearing the entire stretch in just under 90 minutes. The patrol continued with few additional findings until they regrouped at Prapat Agung Beach, where ropes and nets had become entwined in the mangrove trees.
Together with teams from Unit 01 and Unit 03, they spent the next two hours removing marine debris from the forest edge—painstaking work, often complicated by tight root systems and limited mobility.
As the day wound down, the crew took a moment to inspect the coral reef area nearby. Snorkeling through the clear waters, they documented vibrant coral, schools of fish—and a surprise encounter with a sea turtle peacefully foraging along the reef. There was no visible plastic waste underwater, and the team left the area undisturbed, hearts lifted by the sight.
The 4ocean crew collected a total of 2,695.98 lbs of waste during their cleanup around the island. The effort was a joint operation involving several units: Unit 01 gathered 339.82 lbs, Unit 02 cleared 355.82 lbs, Unit 03 removed 381.61 lbs, Unit 04 hauled in 651.35 lbs, and Unit 09—The Dugong—collected the largest share at 967.38 lbs. Common types of waste included PET bottles, plastic bags, discarded fishing nets and ropes, and beverage cans, much of which had been carried in by currents or left behind by visitors.
Among the most striking parts of the day were the moments of reflection from the crew. “At first, I didn’t expect such a beautiful beach to be so filled with trash. But once it was clean, it felt like watching paradise reappear,” said Hapid, Captain of Unit 02. Fasta, one of the 4ocean content creators, recalled a serene moment while snorkeling: “Watching a turtle peacefully foraging made me realize how important it is to keep our oceans clean.”
The cleanup wasn’t without its challenges. Much of the waste was deeply embedded within the roots of mangrove trees, requiring precision tools and careful maneuvering to extract. Reaching certain coastal zones, like the western beach, proved difficult due to narrow, shallow water channels that limited boat access. On top of that, the crew worked under punishing midday heat, which added physical strain to an already demanding operation. Despite these obstacles, the team pressed on—driven by a shared commitment to protecting one of Bali’s most breathtaking marine environments.
