TRACC projects

Current Campaigns

TRACC is an non profit NGO dedicated to conservation of tropical environments.  We have several opportuntittes for enthusiastic people to get involved, we need volunteers both Long and Short stay at 2 different sites to work on coral reefs, turtles, sharks and education. (Project Summary 2013)

A number of projects have been undertaken over the last few years often using volunteers for data collection. (download printer friendly version of project Sept 2011).  The current ongoing projects are here

Other Research

Student or University projects  ( this is one of the cheapest places in the world to get coral reef research experience) (proposed projects for student research).  We welcome your own research ideas. Ongoing student research projects.

Completed Projects

The Green Connection – Public aquarium and science discovery centre (opened 2010) (Website)
Members of TRACC built this project from the ground up. Feasibility, Land acquisition, Design, Construction, Finance, Marketing. This is now operational with a full management and technical team. TGC promotes conservation with an active campaign of say no to shark fin soup, an ongoing turtle rescue programme and several coral planting projects.

Coral planting project Kudat, Sabah. 2002-2006 ( 2002 summary Pdf)
Funded initially by Shell & then by TRACC
Coral planting techniques were developed to repair coral reefs damaged by blast fishing. Six tennis court sized areas of reef were replanted with hard & soft corals by diving volunteers. Coral fragments came from blasted reef sites or by cuttings from soft corals.

TGC Coral planting project Kudat, Sabah. 2006-2010  (summary pdf)
Funded by TRACC
Large quantities of artifical rock (Faux-rock) were made (approximately 6000 tray sized pieces and 10,000 plate sized) and were planted with hard and soft corals to supply the coral reef tanks of the Green Connection Aquarium. Eventually only approximately 5% of the final Faux-rock pieces were moved to the Green Connection or to a holding area close to Kota Kinabalu. The remainder of the Faux rock has merged to become a new reef.

Mangrove planting project, Bontang, Kalimantan, Indonesia 2003 & 04
Funded by UNOCAL
A 60km stretch of coast was replanted with mangroves to reduce coastal erosion caused by unsustainable harverting. Over half a million mangrove trees were planted.

PSAC Environmental Project, Brunei 2002-2004
Funded by Brunei Shell
A survey of the biodiversity of the oil rigs in Brunei. (Website) (pdf) (newsletter) ( BSP website)
This project won the Duke Of Edinburgh Award in 2005

US National Cancer Institute specimen collection project – 2002-4
Collection and identification of bioactive marine specimens as part of the search for new cancer drugs.

Greenforce Banggi Coral Reef project (1998-2003)
Surveys of the reefs of Banggi in preparation for inclusion in a marine protected area. (publication)(biodiversity check list)

Amphiprion & Premnas anemonefish breeding project
Mike Clark – postgraduate research project.

Otters of the Kudat Peninsula
Hazel Oakley (postgraduate research project) (pdf)

Mollusc diversity of Sabah
Emily Smart – postgraduate research project.

Socioeconomics of Banggi area of Sabah. (2000)
Helen Fisher – postgraduate research project   (part 1) (part 2)

Coral growth studies using biorock electrolosis techniques
Sarah Passoni (Degree study)

Effect of cyanide on coral
Kate Atak (MSc study)

Cannibalism by Damsel fish
Andrea Manica ( PhD study) 2002-2003 (PDF)

Mangrove crab population study
Ikhwan Mohammed (MSc study)

Coastal dolphins in the waters of Borneo
Isobel Beasley  (MSc study) (pdf)

Earlier projects

OLD WEBSITE -TO BE MOVED
Effects of blast fishing on reef biodiversity – Impacts of Cyanide fishing – Coral reef surveys -Reef fish poplulation declines – Humphead wrasse -  Growth of planted Coral – Impacts of drilling muds – Deep water video -   effects of oil spill dispersants on coral (MSc study) -  – Greenforce Banggi project – Mantis shrimp (Degree study) -  coral growth on reef balls – Mangrove crab aquaculture -  Seaweed studies.

Commercial projects

Coastal Zone Management plan for Sarawak & Sabah 2001
prepared while at UNIMAS ( pdf)

Coastal Sensitivity Mapping Survey, Brunei 2001 (pdf)
Funded by Brunei Shell
A coral reef survey at all reefs plus 100 coastal shore sites using GCRMN techniques was undertaken.  The data was then assembled to provide an oil spill response plan.

Oil Spill Contingency Plan Brunei, 2004
Funded by Brunei Shell
A masterplan and detailed response plan for each different type of environment was prepared to guide oil spill managers.

Champion OBC Seismic Survey – Environmental Assessment, Brunei 2002
Funded by Brunei Shell
An environmental assessment of the impact of seismic air guns and a seismic survey on the coral reef environment. (report)

Coastal Sensitivity Mapping Survey, Balikpapan Kalimantan, Indonesia 2004
Funded by UNOCAL
A coral reef survey at 124 sites plus 100 coastal shore sites using GCRMN techniques was undertaken.

Coastal Sensitivity Mapping Survey,, Bontang Kalimantan, Indonesia 2006
Funded by UNOCAL
A coral reef survey at 110 sites plus 100 coastal shore sites using GCRMN techniques was undertaken.

A coastal sensitivy map for NE Kalimantan, Indonesia 2006
Funded by UNOCAL
Using the Bontang and Balikpapan survey data, an interactive coastal sensitivity map was prepared to guide oil spill crisis management.

Oil Spill Contingency Plan for NE Kalimantan, Indonesia 2007
Funded by UNOCAL
A masterplan and detailed response plan for each different type of environment was prepared to guide oil spill managers.

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