Research Interests
Ariq has always been captivated by nature and eager to protect it. His undergraduate thesis was on examining the spatial configuration and size of artificial reefs to optimize reef restoration efforts. He’s interested in marine ecosystems, the services they provide, and the sustainable use of marine resources. Joining MMF’s team will be his first time diving into the world of marine megafauna. He will be focusing on the manta ray and sea turtle project, focusing on their general biology and ecology, and citizen science.
Education
2022 Bachelor of Biology
Bandung Institute of Technology, Bandung, Indonesia
Thesis title: The relationship between Reef Stars cluster area and reef fish assemblage in Mengiat Beach Nusa Dua, Bali
Biography
Born in Jakarta, the bustling capital of Indonesia, Ariq’s childhood wasn’t exactly surrounded by nature. But thanks to his dad’s hobbies of hiking and diving, Ariq was exposed to outdoor adventures. Fueled by curiosity, he joined a mountaineering club when he was a student and was enchanted by nature, especially the ocean. The feeling of freedom he felt under the water led him to obtain his SCUBA diving certification. What caught his attention the most were the manta rays he encountered during his dives in Komodo National Park.
Ariq decided to study biology in university to better understand nature and how it works, focusing on the marine environment. To participate in marine conservation, he became a shark-ray enumerator for the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries and interned at the Nusa Dua Reef Foundation. Realizing that plastic waste is one of the biggest threats to marine life, Ariq worked as a sustainability analyst at Seven Clean Seas to clean up the ocean by partnering with the private sector. Now, he’s living the dream of working with manta rays and sea turtles at MMF!
Ariq loves exploring nature and enjoying good food. Outside his work hours, Ariq can be found strolling around, bird-watching, and gazing at the stars. Well, chilling on his bed is also an option if he decides to go into power-saving mode.
Current MMF projects
Ariq is based in Nusa Lembongan, Bali, where he focuses on manta rays, sea turtles, and tourism. His work involves both in-water and on-land activities, such as field data collection, giving scientific presentations, data processing and analysis, scientific writing, and managing day-to-day office activities.
Projects include:
Indonesia Manta Ray Program
Manta Ray Reproductive Ecology
Indonesia Sea Turtles Program