SUSTAINABLE ISLAND PROGRAMME (IYOR 2008)

[shafi]

  SUSTAINABLE ISLAND PROGRAMME 2008 

With the financial backing from Sime Darby Plantation a few days ago, the "Sustainable Island Programme" (SIP) is expected to kickstart as soon as April 2008 (with March having to be spent getting the divers certified and ready).

As you well know, IYOR 2008, launched by MoNRE, is a worldwide campaign to raise awareness about the value and importance of coral reefs and threats to their sustainability, and to motivate people to take action to protect them. So this is what MUW planned to do - GET INVOLVED and TAKE ACTION.

With the company's blessings, Wild Asia has been given the go ahead to coordinate this programme with Reef Check Malaysia (RCM). Sime Darby Plantation already has a 3-year 'Adopt-A-Reef' relationship with RCM (which began last year), so it only seems natural to expand the scope of that project to do something bigger this year just for IYOR2008.

Sime Darby Plantation is also in partnership with Wild Asia since 2004, where Wild Asia plays an advisory role to the company on (environmental and social) sustainability issues.

So its rather cool to see all three coming together and working on something for the reefs. The SIP envisages bringing the best of both Wild Asia expertise in environment and responsible tourism, as well as Reef Check's strengths in marine ecosystem in order to holistically address our islands - looking at what happens on (is)land and linking it to the situation underwater.


 

 PHASE ONE (3 months: April-June 2008)

It is envisaged that Phase 1 of the Programme, which is funded by Sime Darby Plantation) will consist of :-

• Stakeholder consultation & Introductory workshop on Responsible Tourism (by Wild Asia)
• Baseline surveys – reef check surveys and RT assessment of resorts & dive operators (by Reef Check & Wild Asia)
• Stakeholder workshop with local communities and resorts on how to tackle the 3 main environmental issues facing the island:-
(1) Solid waste management, (2) Sewage and wastewater management, and (3) Physical damage to reefs.
• Development of action plans using options of model resorts, for example.


  The second activity, i.e. the baseline reef check surveys, is the one that MUW will be much more involved in   


The 3D/2N Sime-sponsored surveys have been CONFIRMED on the following dates:-

May 30 - June 1
SIP Survey #1 at Perhentian
1. Narcosity
2. Massive headwound
3. ScubaBunny
4. Carmen
5. Belle
6. Evelyn
7. Jgshuwei
8. Deepblu
9. Miezegreat
10. Watercow
11. Lee Yeon Huat (Sime)
12. Cheah See Siang (Sime)
 
June 6-8
SIP Survey #2 at Tioman
1. ATXDiver
2. Lee Yeon Huat (Sime)
3. Bijan
4. Bajaulaut
5. RidRahim
.... 10.

June 13-15
SIP Survey #3 at Perhentian (initially was Redang)
1. Triggerfish
2. Daniel Lim
3. Lee Yeon Huat (Sime) - not coming!!
4. Bijan
5. Bajaulaut
6. Buoyantvenus
[and 2 video guys  ]

SIP #4 at Tioman (June 20-22) has been cancelled due to many last minute pull outs.
 
June 20-22
SIP Survey #5 at Redang (Initially #5 was Perhentian)
1. Jgshuwei
2. Wing0112
3. Miezegreat
4. Bijan
5. Belle
6. Evelyn
... 10.


June 27-29
SIP Survey #6 at Redang
1. ScubaBunny
2. Carmen
3. Deepblu
4. Bijan
5. Bajaulaut
6. Miezegreat
7. Sheikh
..10.


You will note that there are double trips to Tioman, Redang and Perhentian: this is because we can only cover 4 sites (multi-level surveys) per weekend trip. The plan is to survey 8 sites per island, hence the double trips 

Please note that because these are SPONSORED SURVEYS, EcoDivers wanting to participate will have to register on a first-come-first-serve basis... You can go for all of the surveys, or some of them (just be fair to others who also want to participate, but if there are slots to be filled, then go on and be involved in all of the surveys!!)   

Maximum of 10 EcoDivers per trip... if you are going to cancel, please let us know asap so that other people can be involved.
 
Remember that travelling costs is not covered. Only ex-jetty is covered (ferry, accommodation and meals).

Cheers!!

[shafi]

Calling calling all MUW EcoDivers!!

RidRahim and I - managed to get ourselves certified as EcoDivers last year July. That's us doing substrate ID.


I recall keen interest from MUWians much earlier on wanting to be involved in reef check... 30 names were listed, and then 9 went on to do the classroom and pool sessions. And that was that...

Now that the SIP is approved, soon-to-be EcoDivers and all other MUWians keen to be involved in this Programme, please proceed with your EcoDiver certification this month of MARCH, as the Programme will effective start in April.

ONLY CERTIFIED ECODIVERS CAN BE INVOLVED (PM me if you want to know the rationale behind this).

Phase One of the Programme covers 3 main islands off the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia, namely Tioman, Redang, and Perhentian.

All reef check dives, accommodation and meals, including ferry transfers, for EcoDivers involved in this 3-island Programme is sponsored by Sime Darby Plantation. You only need to absorb the travelling expenses (which should be minimal if we all car-pool). So voila! Excellent incentive for you guys to want to be EcoDivers.

The dive sites have been selected and the dates are already confirmed (see topic header). Each island survey trip would be a 3D/2N event - so that gives ample time for the reef surveys as well as other on-island activities which Wild Asia needs to get busy with.

Adik documented MUW's 'mock' reef check survey for Sime Darby Plantation. I'm gonna make sure he does it again!! Excellent work bro.



I have faith that MUW will rise to this occasion and make full use this opportunity to make a real difference this year for IYOR 2008 MUW style   

As the Sustainability Advisor to Wild Asia and key contact person for Sime Darby Plantation with respect to this Programme, you may channel any queries, etc, directly to me.

If you wanna be a part of SIP, go get that EcoDiver certification now now now!!! Perhentian Besar's Watercolours, Redang Kalong, and Tioman's Tioman Dive Centre (Tekek) are dive centres which are part of the Reef Check network (I may have missed a few). They have full-time EcoTrainers who are able to certify you. Especially to the 9 MUWians who were almost-there.... quickly get this final bits sorted

I will try to find out how much it will cost for you to do this certification at those places and post this later on. Just keep in mind that the certification is outside of SIP, although it is an essential compulsory pre-requisite, the cost of which you will have to bear on your own.

Good luck!

 

[Adzri]

Excellent Job Shafi !!!

We shall all together works this out, let us know what we can help ok.

[mart1njo3]

am interested to do the course and join in to do my part for the environment. keep us posted. thanks.

cheers...

[rid]

Another environment thingy...great 

[ikan]

One word .. excellente'!!!!

[nanda666]

can I have a little more info on the ecodiver program pls? How long? How much can be done here in KL? how long on the island? Price?

Would love to join but I'm short of leave and using most of my leave for the IDC 

Let me know if there is anything else I can help with. I was sailing on vessels in the US gulf as well as in Europe where MARPOL (Marine pollution) is a big thing. Worked with sewage & water treatment plants quite a bit.

[RoCKET]

count me in....

[shafi]

Hi Nanda - there is lots to do, on land as well as underwater... so we'll make full use of you for both   

Perhaps I will try to organise two trips (each with a team of 6-8 keen divers) to go for the EcoDiver training with one/two of the RC dive centres within this next few weeks.

I'll put up the cost of the course dates and other details as soon as I can - so stay tuned.

Hi Rocket - when you meant "count me in" do you mean you want to go for the EcoDiver certification or whether you are already an EcoDiver and therefore count you in the SIP?

[mart1njo3]

Came across this advert in the NST today.



cheers...

[RoCKET]

shafi : count me in for the ecodiver cert and the SIP..... thanx

[shafi]

Bear with me if everything here sounds very exploratory... so bits of constructive advice are truly appreciated...   

So here's some info on Reef Check's certification courses:-

  EcoDiver Certification Courses

Perhentian Watercolours and Tioman Dive Center offer the same thing:-
RM 750 for the EcoDiver certification course ONLY.
Accommodation, meals, and ferry transfers are NOT included.
Its 4D/3N for everything (ID Training, Underwater Assessments, Final Tests, mock surveys, etc).

If you want to have a description based on personal experience of what that feels like, go to http://malaysianunderwater.com/smff/index.php/topic,1800.0.html.

I've just consulted Reef Check. Since most of us are good divers (some are already instructors), if we can get a team together to have the classroom sessions in KL one of this weekends, then we only need 3D/2N on the island. This would be better because (a) larger group, (b) well, less expenditure on the island, of course.

I recall for the first batch of 9 that did the pool and classroom session at Cheras pool, they had to pay for the lessons (trainer's fee was split amongst participants) and training materials (this is fixed at RM90 per pack per person, if I'm not mistaken).

So who wants to do the KL-Island option, let me know and I need to inform Reef Check and get a venue readily available. You can do the KL session first and then the island one much later (but not too late, I hope).


 

[shafi]

Came across this advert in the NST today.



cheers...

Thanks for this... Yes let us all go this Saturday to 1 Utama as a show of support

The Ministry will be launching IYOR 2008 at 10:30am, HIGHSTREET (New Wing), Saturday Feb 23rd.

MUW T-Shirts ON your bodies pls!!!!! 

See you all there....

[Scorpenesub]

Bear with me if everything here sounds very exploratory... so bits of constructive advice are truly appreciated...   
So here's some info on Reef Check's certification courses:-
  EcoDiver Certification Courses
Perhentian Watercolours and Tioman Dive Center offer the same thing:-
RM 750 for the EcoDiver certification course ONLY.
Accommodation, meals, and ferry transfers are NOT included.
Its 4D/3N for everything (ID Training, Underwater Assessments, Final Tests, mock surveys, etc).
If you want to have a description based on personal experience of what that feels like, go to http://malaysianunderwater.com/smff/index.php/topic,1800.0.html.
I've just consulted Reef Check. Since most of us are good divers (some are already instructors), if we can get a team together to have the classroom sessions in KL one of this weekends, then we only need 3D/2N on the island. This would be better because (a) larger group, (b) well, less expenditure on the island, of course.
I recall for the first batch of 9 that did the pool and classroom session at Cheras pool, they had to pay for the lessons (trainer's fee was split amongst participants) and training materials (this is fixed at RM90 per pack per person, if I'm not mistaken).
So who wants to do the KL-Island option, let me know and I need to inform Reef Check and get a venue readily available. You can do the KL session first and then the island one much later (but not too late, I hope).

 

I think Ocean Elements did it cheaper....RM690 if i am not mistaken....

[blue]

can I have a little more info on the ecodiver program pls? How long? How much can be done here in KL? how long on the island? Price?

Would love to join but I'm short of leave and using most of my leave for the IDC 

Let me know if there is anything else I can help with. I was sailing on vessels in the US gulf as well as in Europe where MARPOL (Marine pollution) is a big thing. Worked with sewage & water treatment plants quite a bit.

Bro, same thing with me la bro