Project update - Malaysia Reef Conservation Project (Malaysia) - December 2004
Added to website: 01 December 2004
Project Brief
Aim
The Malaysia Coral Reef Conservation Project is an ongoing project to survey coral reefs of a number of areas within Malaysia. CCC work at the invitation of, and in partnership with the Malaysian Department of Marine Parks under the Ministry for Environment and Natural Resources. In contrast to CCC projects elsewhere in the world, the Malaysian projects have so far been based in existing designated marine parks. Data collected by CCC is to be presented in the form of a habitat map, which the Department of Marine Parks can then use to more effectively manage their resources.
Location
CCC is currently based in Pulau Payar Marine Park, about 20 miles from the popular tourist destination of Pulau Langkawi on the west coast of peninsular Malaysia.
The team has been based on Pulau Payar for two months now. Before this the base was Pulau Redang Marine Park on the east coast of peninsular Malaysia. The approaching monsoon on the east coast initiated the move. It is hoped to return to the Redang area post monsoon in March 2005 or so.
Pulau Payar Marine Park consists of four islands, the largest of which is Pulau Payar (about 1 km by 200 metres wide). Pulau Lembu, Pulau Kaca and Pulau Segantang make up the remaining islands within the park.
CCC Partners
CCC is working at the invitation of and in partnership with the Marine Parks Department of the Ministry for Natural Resources and Environment.
Marine Science Programme
The survey area is divided into five sectors, one sector for each island, with Pulau Payar itself divided as it is significantly larger than the others.
Surveys of fish, coral and other invertebrate species will be undertaken at 200 m intervals around the coasts of the islands. Surveys will be undertaken at 4 m depth intervals at each survey site. The survey team on Pulau Payar has completed over 40 transect surveys to date. Initial survey of Pulau Lembu is almost finished. Pulau Kaca and the north western side of Pulau Payar are the current survey areas. Preliminary analysis of data collected to date is currently underway.
It is no longer anticipated that direct Reefcheck surveys will be undertaken. However, the specific data required by Reefcheck will be extracted from the relevant surveys and forwarded to the Reefcheck HQ.
Interesting / Unusual Sightings
Large pelagic fish made for the most interesting sightings for this month. Marlin were frequently observed leaping out of the water during the day. This was often quite near the dive boat so the whole team got to see the fish. Marlin activity has eased off slightly in the last week but can still be seen occasionally. A second species of seahorse was observed off Pulau Lembu.
There have also been quite a few turtle sightings during the month which always leads to some excitement amongst the volunteers on site. The banded sea krait has also been observed occasionally. The wide diversity of nudibranchs in the park continues to attract attention in the team. It is still the case that someone will bring back a picture of a species not yet seen by the rest of the team.
Environmental Awareness
Capacity Building/Training of Local Counterparts
Whilst there are no immediate plans for environmental awareness projects in the Pulau Payar area, CCC aims to conduct a number of programmes whilst located in the vicinity.
An interest has been shown by a number of potential scholars in the CCC scholarship programme. This programme invites a limited number of students from academic institutions to participate on CCC conservation work. It is hoped that a Malaysian scholar will be undertaking the CCC skills development program in December.
A member of the Marine Park staff on Pulau Payar is to further his dive training, hopefully to Divemaster, under the watchful eyes of the CCC scuba instructor.
