Tag: scuba diving conservation

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Update from our SCUBA volunteer vacation / diving conservation holiday protecting the coral reefs of Tioman, 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…

GOPR0028 GOPR0036 GOPR0037 GOPR0039 GOPR0047 swatting

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Update from our SCUBA volunteer vacation / diving conservation holiday protecting the coral reefs of Tioman, 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.

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Update from our SCUBA volunteer vacation / diving conservation holiday protecting the coral reefs of Tioman, 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.

Buoyancy
Buoyancy…

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.

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Update from our SCUBA volunteer vacation / diving conservation holiday protecting the coral reefs of Tioman, Malaysia

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

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Update from our SCUBA volunteer vacation / diving conservation holiday protecting the coral reefs of Tioman, Malaysia

Well, today I’m all set up at Swiss Cottages in Tekek on Tioman Island. In a short while I will be meeting with our scientist Alvin Cheliah who is currently doing some science, under water, just off shore.

My phone number here is xxx. Please use this number to communicate any issues you might encounter in getting to the assembly point on time (remember 11:00 for the first and 09:00 for the second group). Likewise, if you are on the island prior to assembly and would like to meet me for a chat, please feel very invited to call or text me.

So far the prep is going well. I expect everything will be well ready for your arrival. Just a quick heads up on transport from the airport. If you are staying at Berjaya prior to the expedition, you will have a coach to meet you. Unless you have been specifically informed of a ride though, people staying at other accommodation will need to get a taxi. You may find the airport officials helpful in getting a cab, I did, but it is not their job so don’t expect it. Here’s a couple of numbers for the recommended service, a bloke named Budin: 0197 890 810 and 0129 676 659. Also try Shammi on 0177 181 738.

A special g’day to last year’s team members. The last team will remember Carol, who is here at the moment providing a great piece of continuity to the expedition a she hands over the baton to this season of Reef Checkers. Unfortunately she won’t be here to meet the new team but it’s really great that the process is being connected to previous efforts in this way.

Finally, you may have heard the news about “Gun battles on holiday island force FCO to issue travel warning” (http://www.travelmole.com/news_feature.php?c=setreg&region=2&m_id=s~_r_rY!_rY!&w_id=8751&news_id=2005420). I would like to assure everyone that these events are limited to a specific area on Sabah on the island of Borneo only and that all is calm here on Tioman island.

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Update from our SCUBA volunteer vacation / diving conservation holiday protecting the coral reefs of Tioman, 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.

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Update from our SCUBA volunteer vacation / diving conservation holiday protecting the coral reefs of Tioman, Malaysia

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

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Update from our SCUBA volunteer vacation / diving conservation holiday protecting the coral reefs of Tioman, 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

Yours truly
Yours truly in action on the research yacht
Yours truly II
Yours truly scanning the horizon with some fancy Swarovski Optik binoculars

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Update from our SCUBA volunteer vacation / diving conservation holiday protecting the coral reefs of Tioman, Malaysia

The third and final slot of the Biosphere Expeditions Malaysian Reef Check expedition has drawn to an exciting close this morning. We were anchored at Nipah, on the southern end of Tioman. This is the place referred to in a previous entry as the site of the amazing nocturnal racing worms. We pulled in at Nipah to discover the sandy sea floor peppered with large urchins, which each had a population of small black fish living between its spines. The really remarkable thing though, was the speed with which the urchins were chasing each other around. They were in twos and threes and moving at an unbelievable pace with one of the racers emitting a cloud of what I assume to be sperm. Incredible sight! What’s with Nipah and high speed invertebrates?

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At around 03:00 in the night, a powerful squall woke us and intensified until Hylton, the skipper decided that the best course of action was to lift the anchor and head back to Tekek, rather than be slapped around at anchor for the rest of the night. What ensued was an exciting night run to Tekek and a very welcome calm in the duck pond at the marina. A very exciting end to a very interesting expedition!

Thanks to all the team members who made this research possible by donating their time, energy and money to this very worthy alternative to sitting on a beach with a book for their holiday. Thanks as well to Katie Yewdall the scientist whose project we helped to crew and Hylton Hines the skipper of the Araliya.

See you again on expedition some day, somewhere.

Paul O’Dowd
Expedition leader


Tioman reefs courtesy of akroaster

Update from our SCUBA volunteer vacation / diving conservation holiday protecting the coral reefs of Tioman, Malaysia

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Update from our SCUBA volunteer vacation / diving conservation holiday protecting the coral reefs of Tioman, Malaysia

The team from slot three of the Tioman Island Reef Check expedition have, despite some nervous apprehension, passed their full set of identification examinations with flying colours and are now ready to hit the high seas and begin surveys. We board the Araliya tomorrow for the final leg of this, the inaugural Malaysian expedition. The data these teams have gathered, will join a growing body of such data that the Reef Check organisation collects from coral reef locations around the world. The hard work of the team members from this and similar expeditions will be used by scientists, conservation organisations and policy makers to plot their course into the future as they develop their approaches to the management of these precious but poorly understood ecosystems. The people on this expedition could have had an easy holiday under an umbrella with a good book, but they have instead dedicated their time off work to a cause, which desperately needs their boots on the ground (or in this case fins). My hat off to all of you.

Hats off to you and everyone else on the expedition
Hats off to you and everyone else on the expedition

Update from our SCUBA volunteer vacation / diving conservation holiday protecting the coral reefs of Tioman, Malaysia.