Tag: Freiwilligenarbeit tauchen

Team 2 just completed their first day of official Reef Check surveys after an exhausting and hot few days of training and tests. Today’s temperature of nearly 38 degrees made the afternoon dive a welcome respite, even if the water they were working in was 31 degrees itself. Have a look at the videos and picture.

Tomorrow we set out to sea to Tulai Island from where we plan to spend a couple of days exploring the islands in the vicinity of the anchorage there. After that we’re off to the other side of Tioman and out to Permandgil Island for a night to pick up a couple of sites we missed with the first team.

Continue reading “Update from our SCUBA volunteer vacation / diving conservation holiday protecting the coral reefs of Tioman, Malaysia (www.biosphere-expeditions.org/malaysia)”

The second team for the 2013 Biosphere Reef Check expedition to Malaysia are all on deck now and officially briefed for duty. Again we have a week of training and land based research surveys before once again heading out to sea on the good ship Araliya for another week of ocean-based research around Tioman Island and the more remote islands beyond. Yesterday we hit the water for our important buoyancy workshop dive and who knows, we may even find the elusive “silver turtle” rumored to frequent the house reef at the Tioman Dive Centre… Team 1 will know what I mean…

 

Continue reading “Update from our SCUBA volunteer vacation / diving conservation holiday protecting the coral reefs of Tioman, Malaysia (www.biosphere-expeditions.org/malaysia)”

The first slot of the Malaysia 2013 Reef Check expedition returned to port yesterday after a very successful voyage around Tioman Island and out to the remote Permandgil Island where comms were poor, but the coral was awesome. Of great encouragement to our hopes that healthy reefs still occur in the region was that our scientist, Alvin, who has dived extensively throughout Asia described the reefs around Permandgil in very glowing terms. We completed all surveys and the data collected is already logged into the Reef Check system. We also managed a few lazy dives (without data collection), which were very chilled out and easy by comparison to the focus of the transect surveys.

I now have a day back at Swiss Cottage to scrub up and get my gear into order before the crew for slot two arrive. The internet sucks here, but who cares. As we know the worse the comms, the better the reefs ;), but it also means that I have only been able to upload a few pictures…

Continue reading “Update from our SCUBA volunteer vacation / diving conservation holiday protecting the coral reefs of Tioman, Malaysia (www.biosphere-expeditions.org/malaysia)”

The first team of the 2013 Malaysia expedition have all passed their Reef Check exams and are, as I write, under water conducting their second actual research survey. Yesterday, we surveyed a site called Tomok, where last year I found a beautiful but dangerous flower urchin. Alvin, our scientist, is happy with the progress of the expedition thus far and today after lunch we board the Araliya and head out to sea. The photos and video are of the team doing their first Reef Check transect survey.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Continue reading “Update from our SCUBA volunteer vacation / diving conservation holiday protecting the coral reefs of Tioman, Malaysia (www.biosphere-expeditions.org/malaysia)”

The first slot of the Malaysia 2013 Biosphere expedition is officially underway. Today, after the introductory briefings, we headed out to the house reef at the Tioman Dive Center for a buoyancy workshop, which everyone handled well after some weighting and breathing adjustment.

A bit more practice will be all that is required to have group 1 research-ready. Tomorrow, we get into the academics with our scientist Alvin Chelliah and the start of the Reef Check ID classes.

Continue reading “Update from our SCUBA volunteer vacation / diving conservation holiday protecting the coral reefs of Tioman, Malaysia (www.biosphere-expeditions.org/malaysia)”

We’ve sorted the video issue, so here’s a video diary from the key people

Continue reading “Update from our SCUBA volunteer vacation / diving conservation holiday protecting the coral reefs of Tioman, Malaysia (www.biosphere-expeditions.org/malaysia)”

Currently I am in Singapore on my way to Tioman Island to prepare for the expedition, which is fast approaching. We are lucky to have Alvin running the science and training the team in the methodologies of Reef Check. Alvin is an engaging and passionate biologist with many years experience in implementing and teaching the Reef Check system in Malaysia. If you have not watched is short talk in the last entry, have a look at it now.

Here’s another reminder to think carefully about what you will need and try to rationalise your pack with the week on the boat in mind. Also be aware that although the international legs of your journey may allow 20 or even 30 kg of baggage, the flight into Tioman only allows 10 kg before charging for excess.

Stay tuned for more updates as the prep phase of the expedition gets under way. I am hoping to post a video diary entry or two as soon as I can sort out some technical issues with the process. My apologies to those who have been expecting one sooner.

Continue reading “Update from our SCUBA volunteer vacation / diving conservation holiday protecting the coral reefs of Tioman, Malaysia (www.biosphere-expeditions.org/malaysia)”

Video message about our Malaysia coral reef research work from our expedition scientist Alvin Chelliah

Continue reading “Update from our SCUBA volunteer vacation / diving conservation holiday protecting the coral reefs of Tioman, Malaysia (www.biosphere-expeditions.org/malaysia)”

Hello to the expedition team members and other interested parties and welcome to the first diary entry for the 2013 Malaysia Reef Check expedition. My name is Paul o’Dowd and I am the expedition leader for this coming Malaysian reef conservation project. Currently I’m in Australia, at home in North Quensland, where I’m getting my stuff together for my looming departure in a week or so, about a week ahead of team 1.

I’m looking forward to getting back to Tioman Island and to meeting and working with you over the coming month. Last year, the expedition went very well and I hope this will be true for this year too.

Reef Check is a powerful method of monitoring the health of the world’s reefs. The process of learning the Reef Check methodologies opens up the world of marine science to those who want to go deeper in their relationship with the sea. So bring your curiosity and your desire to make a difference to the world (and make sure you are swatting up of Reef Check as instructed).

While we’re talking about things to bring and do, make sure your entire set of documents are in order and ready to hand to me at the briefing on the first day. These include your checklist, dive qualifications, medical information and insurance forms. Be aware that we will be spending much of our time on a boat, which is comfortable, but ultimately limited in storage space. You will be asked to bring aboard only that which is needed for that week on the sea. A limited amount of your stuff can be stored at the dive shop but it’s not a large allowance. Please make sure you pack with these limitations in mind.

Cheers

Paul o’Dowd
Expedition leader

Continue reading “Update from our SCUBA volunteer vacation / diving conservation holiday protecting the coral reefs of Tioman, Malaysia (www.biosphere-expeditions.org/malaysia)”