Visit to Intertidal Seagrass Area, Port Dickson

Date: June 2 (Sat)

Time: 8am-4pm

Cost: RM40/pax

The Marine SIG is organising a day trip to visit the intertidal seagrass area in Port Dickson. The seagrass ecosystem is one of the most productive ecosystems in the world but it has never been given the special attention that it deserves.

The seagrass communities are nursery and breeding grounds to many marine organisms especially the commercially important and vulnerable species e.g. trevalley, snapper, anchovy, mullet, grouper, prawns, crabs, dugongs, marine turtles, seahorses etc. Learn about the different species of seagrasses that can be found here (one of the highest species count in Malaysia) and how they are important in saving our seafood stock.

Come and join us for a day trip (8am to 4pm) on 2 June 2012. Travelling will be by bus. Cost of the trip is RM40 per pax. Food not included. Places are limited and will be given on a first come, first serve basis. For more details, call Eda at 03-22879422 ext. 27 (office hours only) or e-mail eizaniahmad@gmail.com.

Snorkel & Dive at Pulau Perhentian

Dates: June 2—5 (Sat—Tues); New student divers: June 2—7 (Sat—Thurs) 

Payment due: 14 May (Mon)

Pre-trip briefing: 23 May (Wed) at 7pm, MNS HQ Auditorium (KL)

Trip starts from: 2 June at 10am, Kuala Besut Jetty

The Marine Group (Selangor Branch) is having a double event at Pulau Perhentian Besar to celebrate Dive in to Earth Day and World Oceans Day.  Open to all MNS branches; we are staying at Bayu Dive Lodge, and snorkeling and diving with SCUBA Schools International at Alu Alu Divers, Teluk Dalam, Perhentian Besar. 

All packages include return boat transfer ex-Kuala Besut, 3 nights accommodation in air-con room/hot water shower on twin or triple sharing basis, meals, *MNS sessions, Marine Park's conservation fee, insurance fee, marine group fund, and course fee EXCEPT for Package 2 (5 nights accom) and Package 5 (no course fee).

*MNS sessions are open to both snorkelers and divers and include a beach clean-up and data recording, low-tide beach exploration and after dinner activities.

PACKAGE 1: SSI Snorkel Diver course (June 2—5)


In the past we had the Marine-friendly Snorkelling Programme. This time, we are upgrading to certification level provided by SSI.

Day 1: Academic - Introduction to Snorkelling and 

Marine Life ID


Day 2: Confined water skills training and Marine Life ID

Day 3: Snorkel training


Day 4: Snorkel training and completion of course 

Cost: RM795/adult and RM398/child 12 years old or below. 

Minimum age: 8 years old.

PACKAGE 2: Open Water (OW) combined with Ecological Diver course (June 2—7)


For members new to diving with a nature perspective; after completing open water, you will stay back to continue Perfect Buoyancy (how to hover with correct finning techniques) and Underwater Naturalist (identify marine life species). 

Day 1: OW academic

Day 2: OW confined water skills training

Day 3: Training dives, final exam on academic

Day 4: Training dives and completion of OW course. Start Eco Diver

Day 5: Eco Diver

Day 6: Eco Diver/Completion of course

Cost: RM2,190/pax 

Minimum age: 15 years old.

PACKAGE 3: SSI Advanced Adventurer (June 2—5)


More info: www.divessi.com/aa 

Day 1: Free and Easy - no dive

Day 2: 2 adventure dives

Day 3: 2 adventure dives

Day 4: 1 adventure dive/completion of course

Cost: RM1,295/pax

PACKAGE 4: SSI Ecological Diver course (June 2—5)


For OW divers, this is a new course being offered, combining two specialty courses – Perfect Buoyancy and Underwater Naturalist. 

Day 1: Free and Easy - no dive

Day 2: Start Eco Diver

Day 3: Eco Diver

Day 4: Eco Diver/Completion of course

Cost: RM1,230/pax

PACKAGE 5: Fun Dives (June 2—5)

For members with a certified dive card, 6 day dives with free equipment rental. 

Additional day dive is RM60/dive and night dive is RM90/dive. 

Cost: RM850/pax

IMPORTANT NOTES:

1) An adult must accompany all children under 21 years old

2) For non-MNS individuals, please add RM70 for one-year MNS membership or for non-MNS families (parents and children up to 18 years old) add RM80.

3) Confirmation is based on a first come first fully paid basis. If you are an individual, we will find a roommate or two for you.

4) For PADI OW divers: Both PADI and SSI are similar in terms of skills set and recognized globally. You can take the SSI Advanced Adventurer (equivalent to PADI Advanced OW) and then take the next PADI course i.e. PADI Rescue.

5) Every participant who completes a snorkel diver or dive course will receive a certification card from SSI.

6) Transportation to/fro Kuala Besut is on your own. See below for transport suggestions and speedboat departures.

To BOOK with PAYMENT: contact Gary Phong garyphong@netscape.net or by mobile phone: 013-3836288. 

For ENQUIRIES only: contact HonYuen at mnsmarinegroup-perhentian@yahoo.com.

Transport Suggestions:

How to get to Kuala Besut 

Transportation is at your own cost to/fro Kuala Besut. Here are some options for you. Be sure to book early as flight prices increases closer to the date.

Car-pooling: If you are driving and want passengers, arrangements can be made after we conclude the pre-trip briefing. Please offer to share travel expenses and driving duties.

Flight: Air Asia / Fire Fly / Malaysia Airlines to Kota Bharu, taxi/van to Kuala Besut. Divers are advised to wait a minimum 24 hours after the last dive before taking a flight.




KTM Train: Due to early morning boat transfer, you can’t take this option unless you overnight in Kota Bharu, but you should have enough time to take the overnight train back to Sentral KL. Check KTM’s website for other destinations. 




Bus: Long-distance buses serve Kota Bharu. Check with your nearest bus station. 

If you wish to overnight in Kota Bharu before or after Perhentian, there’s a Hotel Politan conveniently located in town on Jalan Doktor, right in front of the taxi terminal and a 2-minute walk to the long distance bus terminal. One of the facilitators will be staying the night before the trip here so you can share a taxi to Kuala Besut instead of hiring one on your own.

Speedboat Departures

Boat transfer is included in the cost and is about 45-minutes long, and is likely to be bumpy. We will be dropped off at the Arwana jetty, then a short 500m walk to Bayu Dive Lodge where we will stay until June 5, but for students taking the OW-Ecological Diver course, you will stay on until June 7.

K. Besut Jetty: Please arrive at the jetty by 10am on June 2. Boats will depart once filled with passengers. 



Arwana Jetty: Boat(s) pick-up is 4pm from the island on June 5 and June 7. Please plan your onward travel accordingly.

Explore and Discover Selangor's Coastline

Date: 13 Nov 2011, Sunday
Time: 8am to 5pm
Meeting point: 8am at Sri Petaling LRT station.
Costs: Participants to reimburse drivers for transportation costs, however Marine Group will look into hiring a coach if the group size warrants it. Lunch at own costs. 


The Marine Group will be organising a marine awareness outing suitable for family members to explore and discover together the Selangor coastline. It will encompass the coastline from Sepang river to Tanjung Sepat coast. Programme include a talk on mangroves ecosystem, explore the coastline and fishing village, and Save Our Seafood awareness.


For further details and confirmation, please contact Gary Phong e-mail: garyphong@netscape.net or mobile: 013-3836288

Conservation of turtles given a boost

PETALING JAYA: Turtle conservation in Malaysia will enter a new era from Dec 1 when the country enforces its inter-governmental agreement on the Conservation and Manage-ment of Marine Turtles and their Habitats within the Indian Ocean and South-East Asia (IOSEA) region.

Malaysia is the 33rd state to join the agreement, following a recent signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) involving the Fisheries Department and WWF-Malaysia.

It entails 24 programmes and 105 specific activities focused on reducing threats, conserving critical habitat, exchanging scientific data and increasing public awareness and participation.

A WWF-Malaysia statement said it was also for promoting regional cooperation and seeking resources for implementation.

The signing of the MoU is also in line with priorities set by the Government in its 2008 National Plan of Action for Conservation and Management of Sea Turtles.

The MoU, signed by Fisheries director-general and WWF and IOSEA coordinator Douglas Hykle, is to protect, conserve, replenish and recover marine turtles and their habitats within the region.

“Through this regional platform, WWF-Malaysia hopes the Government will give full commitment in implementing conservation measures and comprehensive programmes outlined in the Conservation and Management Plan agreed to by member states,” the statement said.

“The move is timely as turtles are migratory animals. Their protection transcends national boundaries, and collaboration between neighbouring countries is imperative,” it added.

Source: The Star Online, Sept 24, 2011.

Marine SIG Committee 2011/2012

Photo by Sharon Goh Wern Hsia

The Marine Special Interest Group elected a new committee for 2011/2012 via a string of e-mails. Thanks to the outgoing committee members of 2010/2011. The election was followed by the usual get-together, this year held at Kiara Park on 24th July 2011. 

Spot the "Pink Damsels" :)

A Date with Turtles

Dates: 9-11 September 2011

Location: Terengganu & Chagar Hutang Turtle Sanctuary, Pulau Redang

Cost: RM350 to RM390 for snorkelling and RM500 to RM540 for scuba diving (depending on room type).

MNS Selangor Marine SIG's Project Aware is back again this September. Instead of the usual beach clean up, we will be doing turtle-related activities. Apart from snorkelling and scuba diving, included will be a trip to the turtle sanctuary at Chagar Hutang as well as a talk/turtle awareness activity. 

Cost is between RM350 to RM390 for snorkelling and RM500 to RM 540 for scuba diving (depending on the room type). Price includes room and meals as well as the boat ride from the mainland and marine park fees. Places are limited, so please book early. A booking fee of RM100 is requested before 9th August 2011 to confirm the reservation. Travel to Terengganu will be by bus/car pooling.

For more info, please contact Kana at kkkana@yahoo.com or +6012-6180024. 

My Unforgetable Experience at Tioman Island

Story by Effendi Wong Bin Abdullah

Photo by Khor Hui Min

 
I found out about the Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) through the local newspaper. So I went to the MNS website to explore further and found that they actually organise trips to local places of interest. I decided on the "Explore Tioman by Sea & Land" trip organised by the MNS Marine SIG and Nature Guides, and started to write to the organizer, Hui Min. Eventually, I signed up for the trip. 

We reached Mersing around 5.30am on Friday, 1 July 2011. We took the boat at 6.30am to Juara Mutiara Resort, reaching the resort around 9am. After checking in and freshening up, we headed for an early lunch. After that, we got our snorkelling gear from the resort to practise at the beach before snorkeling from the boat at sea the next day. We were very lucky to have Adeline, an experienced instructor, to guide us on how to snorkel and the do's and don'ts. It was an eye-opening experience for most of us.
 
In the evening, we went for a night trek. Armed with torchlights, we went into the jungle with some local guides, hoping to spot some mousedeer and other animals. At one point, the guide asked all of us to switch off our torchlights. He showed us the reflection of a mousedeer’s eyes from his torchlight. We were all very excited. The trek was about 2 hours long and we were all quite thrilled.
 
The next morning, we woke up in anticipation for a fun day snorkelling out at sea. Our first stop was the Marine Park jetty, followed by Coral Island. The island took our breath away! The corals and fishes were very colourful and beautiful. We developed an extremely good appetite, and everyone enjoyed the BBQ dinner. 

The next day, we went to Kg. Asah waterfall by boat. The cool water was very refreshing. With some time remaining, we headed to the jetty for some snorkelling. Unexpectedly, we saw many jellyfish in the water and our instructor Adeline asked us all to come out to avoid getting stung.
 
Then, around 3pm, we set off to look for the famed Rafflesia of Tioman. The guide, Pak Lan, is very experienced and explained to us about the various plants in the jungle. We were worried that we would not see a bloom, because these flowers only last for a few days. However, we did see an amazing Rafflesia flower. No words can describe the beauty of the popular flower. Satisfied, we went back to our resort and did a beach clean-up at the relatively clean Juara beach before dinner. When we finished, we were shocked that we had accumulated 7 large bags of trash which mainly consists of plastic, cigarette butts, tin cans, ropes and Styrofoam boxes.

 
On 4 July morning, we went to Tekek for some duty free shopping and boarded the ferry back to Mersing. It was indeed one of the most enjoyable experiences for me and I will definitely be back!