Reef Check Malaysia

Reef Check Malaysia
Newsletter
Volume 2010 - 03
tel/fax: 03 2161 5948
www.reefcheck.org.my
wecare@reefcheck.org.my
It’s the MID-YEAR edition of the
Reef Check Malaysia’s Newsletter!
Time certainly flies! It’s already July now and we never realised we still have got loads to do!
For now, you can read about what we have done so far...
Ecodiver Training and
survey programme
The Reef Check survey programme for 2010 started on Tioman in April, followed by Redang
and Perhentian in May and June respectively. Assistance was provided by the Department of
Marine Park Malaysia (DMPM), various dive operators on the islands and EcoDivers from Kuala
Lumpur, which is very much appreciated. The list of dive centres that participated in the
surveys were:
Tioman: Tioman Dive Centre (Tekek) and Fisherrman Divers (Salang)
Redang: Redang Kalong / Divers Den
Perhentian: Watercolours Dive Centre and Urbanisland Divers
In June, RCM also conducted some training and surveys over in East Malaysia – at Mataking
and Kapalai We now have our first Reef Check Certified Facility in Sabah, The Reef Dive Resort
at Mataking Island. More importantly, we also certified the first EcoDiver Trainer who is a local
islander, Hardy, from The Reef Dive Resort, Mataking, will now certify his colleagues, and offer
the programme to customers at the resort, as well as organising regular surveys at nearby dive
sites.
With the participation of 7 newly certified EcoDivers, we completed 12 surveys in East Malaysia.
Rainforest to Reef Programme
After completing the first supporting activity of the year in March and April, the programme
with the schools on the Marine Park Islands funded by Alstom Power continued with the first
Coral Reef Camp of the year in Tioman on 26th – 28th June 2010.
A Reef Clean up Event was also organised over the same weekend in conjunction with World
Oceans Day by the Department of Marine Parks, which saw a total of 90 volunteers removing
Crown of Thorns Starfish and rubbish at various sites.
A combined closing ceremony for the Coral reef Camp and Reef Clean up programme was
held where parents of the children and volunteers were entertained by the children’s performance which was part of their activities during the Camp.
The KPMG funded programme for SK Taman Tun Dr. Ismail also
held their Coral Reef Camp in Tioman earlier that month. A total
of 21 students accompanied by 5 teachers as well as 6 facilitators
from KPMG participated in the camp and they all gained
valuable experience of living in the outdoors and learning about
the different environments on the island.
Starting this year, CIMB Foundation is funding the Rainforest to Reef Programme in 6 secondary schools around
Klang Valley. The programme has started in 4 of the
schools and will continue on until end of the year. The
programme for these schools will consist of 4 activities,
including a 3R workshop and a site visit to the Zoo Negara.
perhentian island project
The Association of Operators Pulau Perhentian Terengganu (Persatuan Pengusaha-pengusaha Pulau
Perhentian Terengganu) has been organising a monthly beach cleanup since March this year. These
cleanups have been conducted every month since then and numerous resorts and dive centres have
participated. Some tourists who were around have also been kind enough to lend a hand during
cleanups.
The Association has approached Dato’ Haji Wan Zahari B Wan Ngah, the Director of TREVICOSTA
(Terengganu Riverine and Coastal Authority) to be the patron and he has agreed to accept the appointment. This will be a step forward for the Association as it seeks to play a more visible role in representing the business community on the islands during discussions among stakeholders, especially at State
and Federal Government level.
Late last year, RCM conducted a 3-days training for snorkel guides in Perhentian. Training resumed in
April this year with a total of 75 snorkel guides and boatmen assessed on the way they brief the
customers and teach them to use the equipments. They are now certified as eco-friendly snorkel guides
and have received materials to assist them in their snorkelling operations. We hope to get feedback
from any tourists that have visited the Perhentian Islands recently and did snorkelling trips with any of
the guides on the islands.
TU
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GUSA HA -
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In conjunction with the 3-months long Starhill Gallery Arts Festival
from July until September, Malaysia’s celebrities will unite in the
name of coral reef conservation and charity in the first Starfish
charity auction. These starfish, decorated by the celebrities, will be
auctioned during the Arts Festival Gala Night. You too can be part
of this, when you get a Starfish, with a minimum RM20 donation,
from the Starhill Gallery Concierge and stand a chance to exhibit
your work of art to raise funds for Reef Check Malaysia.
P UL
YTL Raise Funds for
Reef Check Malaysia
N
AH
US
NG
As part of the project, RCM aims to improve communications on the islands between operators, tourists
and stakeholders. With this in mind, RCM, through the Association has set up a website and Facebook
group for the Association. The website can be found at www.perhentian.island.org and the Facebook
group name is Persatuan Pengusaha-pengusaha Pulau Perhentian Terengganu (PPPPT). Feel free to visit
the sites and leave your feedback, especially if you have just recently visited the Perhentian Islands.
N
RH
E NT I A N TE RE
Reef Check Malaysia
Malaysia is part of the “Coral Triangle”, the area of the world’s oceans
recognized by scientists as having the highest biodiversity. Coral reefs
therefore represent an economically important ecosystem and are the
foundation of a significant percentage of the country’s tourist industry.
There are some 3,600 km2 of reef around the country, including fringing
reefs and offshore islands. Over 350 species of hard coral have been
identified in Malaysian waters.
However, a lack of comprehensive management programmes is
leading to degradation of this important economic resource. This
situation is exacerbated by inadequate information on the status and
location of the reefs, further hindering management efforts.
In 2001, Reef Check Foundation appointed a National Coordinator for
Malaysia, to promote Reef Check and carry out training and surveys.
While there were some successes, lack of funding and support
prevented the coordinator from having a major impact on marine
conservation in Malaysia.
In 2006, the British Government provided funding for a one year
project to establish a more sustainable Reef Check programme in
Malaysia. That project culminated with the registration of Reef Check
Malaysia Bhd as a non-profit company in August 2007.
Dive centre network
Calling All Dive Centres: We are looking to expand our small network of Reef
Check Certified Facilities. You can help us by training more EcoDivers and arranging surveys to improve reef monitoring in your area. Becoming a Certified Facility is
easy – all you need is an EcoDiver trainer on staff. Contact us to ask how it all
works!
Reef Check Malaysia
Social Network
We are now active on Facebook. Add us as
friends and join our group – Reef Check Malaysia,
to find out more on what is happening!
Please contact any of the dive centres listed below if you are interested in EcoDiver
training or if you want to participate in a Reef Check survey.
ScubaZone
Watercolours
Sunlight Divers
Redang Kalong
Scuba Explorers
Tioman Dive Centre
The Reef Dive Resort
Kuala Lumpur
Perhentian
Perhentian
Redang
Tenggol
Tioman
Mataking
s-zone@streamyx.com
info@watercolours.com.my
info@sunlightdivers.com
ddenmsia@tm.net.my
info@scubaexplorers.com.my
enquiries@tioman-dive-centre.com
sales@mataking.com
Scuba Explorers
Coral bleaching
Three months ago, the Malaysian Meteorological Department reported that there will be a dry
spell in Peninsular Malaysia as well as Sabah due to the El Nino weather phenomenon which
brings about less rainfall than usual. Now, the effects of El Nino, together with the effects of
the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD), which brings warm waters from the Indian Ocean, have
taken their toll on coral reefs around Malaysia where there have been extensive reports of
coral bleaching around the islands and coastal areas of Peninsular Malaysia.
Bleaching occurs when corals are stressed, in this instance by warm water. This causes them
to expel the photosynthetic zooxanthellae algae (zoox for short!) living within them that give
them their colour, leaving behind the white skeleton. Zoox provide the coral with a large
proportion of its nutrients.
A large area of branching corals were bleached.
Bleaching can be reversed as corals can survive without their zoox for short periods of time.
However, if corals are stressed for extended periods of time, they will die from lack of
nutrients.
To enhance chances of survival of coral reefs, it is very important for all parties to play their
part to help coral reefs to recover from this bleaching event by reducing the stress corals
have to face. RCM is working together with the Department of Marine Park Malaysia, dive
centres and resort operators to conduct surveys and discuss what measures can be taken to
reduce stress levels in affected areas.
Some of the foliose corals were bleached.
Below are some steps you can take to reduce stress on corals when you are visiting the islands:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Do not touch or step on corals as any physical contact will damage the corals.
Avoid using sunscreen lotion as chemicals from the lotion create an environmental stress to the
corals.
Talk to your operators and try to avoid crowded areas to reduce impacts on the coral reef.
Do not litter on the beach or into the sea.
If you are diving or snorkelling, try to pick up any trash you see in the water.
You can also play a part by taking simple steps below which will reduce your production of greenhouse
gasses that causes climate change:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Switch off the lights or fan when not in use.
Turn off the tap when not in use.
Reduce the consumption of electricity through unnecessary usage of air-conditioner.
Use public transportation or car pool instead of driving alone.
Do not leave your electrical appliances on or on standby if not in use.
Corals that are stressed showing bright
fluorescent colours before they bleach.
More information on bleaching can be found at the end of the newsletter.
A totally bleached anemone.
The giant clam on the left is bleached.
Some corals are still surviving well despite other
corals bleaching.
Supporters
Reef Check Malaysia is grateful to the following organisations for their support: Without their help, we would not be able to continue our work to
preserve Malaysia’s marine resources.
Coral Bleaching in Peninsular Malaysia
Polyps
Q: What are corals?
Zooxanthellae
(Zoox)
A: A coral is made up of thousands of tiny animals known as
polyps. These animals have
microscopic plants called
zooxanthellae (Zoox) living within them. The Zoox provide more
than 70% of the nutrients needed by these polyps to survive.
These Zoox also gives the transparent coral polyps the different
colouration we see in the oceans.
Healthy polyps with
Zoox living in them
Q: Why are corals important?
A: Coral reefs are valuable resources, attracting millions of
visitors annually in Malaysia. Besides tourism, coral reefs are
also important as nursery grounds for fisheries resources as
well as providing job opportunities for thousands of people
in the country, especially local communities on the islands
and in coastal areas.
Polyp
Q: What is coral bleaching and why do they bleach?
Coral bleaching occurs when the coral loses its colour and turns
white as a result of the polyps expeling the toxin producing Zoox.
This happens because the coral is stressed from environmental
factors such as temperature, water salinity, water quality and
many others.
Q: Can the bleaching be reversed?
Zooxanthellae
(Zoox)
Yes, it can be reversed if the stress is lifted off as these polyps
can still survive without the Zoox for a short period of time.
However, if the stress is not removed in the long run, the
Unhealthy polyps expulsing
bleaching will continue and the coral will die in the end due to
Zoox
the insufficient nutrients it needs to survive.
Q: What can I do to help the corals?
When snorkeling, do not touch corals.
Corals are fragile animals that will break
under pressure.
Do not wear fins in shallow area or
stand on corals with them. Once corals
break, they take years to grow back.
Help to reduce plastic waste by reusing
your empty water bottle. Refill it the at
the resort’s restaurant.
Dispose of your trash in the nearest bin.
Do not litter because your litter can kill
marine life.
Do not collect shells or corals, whether
alive or dead. Leave them where they
are for others to see and enjoy.
Do not buy souvenirs made of corals
or sea shells.
Illustrations by Ruth Yap