Malaysia Reefs and Islands Conservation Project- Marine update
Added to website: 13 July 2003
Coral Cay Conservation has successfully completed the marine phase of the pilot project of the MRICP. Through the dedication and hard work of more than thirty local and national Volunteers and field staff, a total of 198 survey dives (equating to 121 man-hours) were carried out, completing 55 transects in 16-survey sectors spread over the whole island group. This data is now been analysed to produce a preliminary marine habitat map for the Perhentians.
Coral Cay Conservation (CCC) has also been working with local groups to raise awareness to the threats faced by coral reefs. This has been accomplished through the hosting of weekly Children’s Clubs and Dive Resort Seminars. To increase Malaysian capability building CCC has also trained ten Malaysian students in coral reef surveying techniques through its Scholarship Scheme Award Programme.
Given the great success of the pilot project, CCC has been invited to return to the Perhentians next year and continue the surveying of the islands and implementation of the local training programme. Coral Cay Conservation Volunteers and staff are set to leave the Perhentians at the end of August and return to commence the Coral Reef Conservation Project in March 2004 (after the Malaysian Monsoon season). The Sabah Marine Parks Authority has also invited CCC to expand its work into their area. CCC is currently researching this proposal.
