Project update - Malaysia Reef Conservation Project - May 2004
Added to website: 01 May 2004
Project Brief
Aim
The Malaysia Coral Reef Conservation Project is a collaborative project to survey the coral reefs of the Redang Island Marine Park, and to implement CCC’s local Scholarship Training Programme. The programme provides training and education opportunities for local Malaysians, as part of an integrated programme to develop local capacity and ensure the long-term protection and sustainable use of marine resources throughout the region.
Location
Redang Island, approximately 15km southeast of the Perhentian Archipelago, Terengganu, east coast of Peninsula Malaysia.
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
Baseline Surveys
Number and location of Surveys
By May we had a large team of volunteers and scholars who were surveying efficiently and effectively. Throughout May we completed 67 survey dives and completed a fourteen transects. Surveys were conducted on the west and east coasts of Redang and on the surrounding islands.
Number of transects completed
So far we have completed 96 survey dives, with 29 transects completed.
Reef Check
n/a
Interesting / Unusual Sightings
Green turtles are still seen regularly on dives, particularly around Pulau Pinang, where the project is based. May saw an increase in the occurrence of females beaching to lay their eggs, which was a spectacular sight and proved extremely popular with the volunteers. Schools of Bumphead Parrotfish, bluespotted ribbontail rays, black-tip reef sharks and moray eels are all common sightings.
Environmental Awareness
Capacity Building/Training of Local Counterparts
In May we had two remaining scholarship students, who were fully immersed in survey work.
Liaising with the marine park staff, we carried out a number of beach cleans, encouraging tourists to the park to get involved. These were met with a warm response and a willingness to help.
Talks were given to schools visiting the marine park, increasing awareness of the role of marine parks and the coral reefs they aim to protect.
