Volunteer role
Planted Acropora corals in the nursery
You will be working to help repair the reef by carrying out soft and hard coral planting. The reef environment varies and different techniques will be used to determine how best to stabilize the reef depending on the slope, current and depth. A wide range of species are planted to create a diverse reef and while coral grows slowly; growth and survival of individuals can be clearly seen, monitored and measured in a typical month.
After initial training, volunteers work in small groups on daily and weekly projects as well as creating their own masterpiece reef. Lots of the corals are initially planted in tanks on land so non divers will also be busy.
Check out why reef restoration is needed or the blog for more on coral planting – or - Our vols blog
Rabbit fish on an artificial reef
You will also be working to help increase the number of fish in the area. This will be done through fish aggregating devices such as recycled water bottles, netlon, canvas and treated concrete structures. As well as creating these devices, you will also be installing and monitoring them underwater. As the fish are attracted to elements underwater that they can hide behind, you will be working to find the best solution in the area and to help implement the underwater planting of these devices.
Green turtle filling in nest after laying
Alongside your daily dive work, if you are volunteering between May to September you will also be carrying out nightly beach patrols to check for nesting turtles and hatchings. It takes around 40 minutes to circle the island and you will be on rotation with the other volunteers every evening to help dissuade poachers from stealing the eggs or hatchlings.
Green Turtle hatchling
This is the ideal place to build dive skills as well as fish and coral identification techniques. Most days have one or more boat dives, 3 dives per day is normal and night dives are frequent. The water is usually crystal clear and due to the strong currents at some of the dive sites many large pelagics are attracted including grey reef sharks, eagle rays and manta rays! If you’re very lucky, you may also see the awe-inspiring whale shark (the best time is between April-June).
Planting coral fragments into prepared blocks
On diving days (Mon-Sat) Vols are busy with fish & coral ID, photo & video editing, preparation of coral planting materials, writing or constructing your own coral and fish palace. Sat is usually leisure dive and a party in the evening. Sun is a day off when we go to town, or do our own thing.
Project overview – Summary– Pom Pom Location map — Other information
Why – Where -What – When – Who – Costs
Other Information – FAQ - Our vols blog
Volunteer information (PDF takes several minutes)
1 Comment
Leave a Reply
Categories
Tags
a level Bait ball Billfish Borneo camping coral Coral planting coral reef coral regeneration diving explore FAD FADs Fish Frigate Birds health risk lang tengah island Mabul Malaysia Manta marine science course marine science school marine studies mercury methylmercury poison pom pom island reef check reef rebuilding s Sabah Sea snakes shark conservation Sharks shark survey Sipadan snorkelling soft coral Stingrays student project travel Sabah Tuna Turtles volunteer
I recently stumbled on your blog and get ended up looking at alongside. I believed I really could depart this first remark. I not really know what things to declare except that We’ve experienced scaning what you almost all need to express