Reefcheck Eco Diver's Course

                                               Source: www.watercoloursworld.com/blog

MNS Miri Branch Reefcheck focus group organized an Eco-Diving Course last May. Reefcheck has been an ongoing effort of Miri Branch funded by the Shell Malaysia Sustainable Development Grant.

Julian and Nattelee from Reef Check Malaysia joined MNS members, Amer and Shirley in Miri to run the Eco-diving course. EcoDivers-to-be were Joyce, Munirah, John, Lee, Guan Jye and myself; Miriam. Amer and Shirley completed the EcoDiver Instructor course. The course involved 3 classroom sessions and 4 test dives.

The course topics covered over the 3 sessions were:
(1) The importance of conducting reef checks/ Threats to the underwater ecosystem
(2) Fish Identification
(3) Invertebrate Identification
(4) Substrate Identification
(5) Impact Survey
(6) Reef Check Methodology

The dives were done in the mornings and the classroom sessions were from afternoon till about 5:30 pm. On the 11th May 2012 however it was just a classroom session from 6:30pm till 9:00pm.

12th May: 1st and 2nd Dive: Anemone North  & Siwa
Fine weather but the water was a tad bit choppy. The group of eco-divers-to be were divided into 2 groups of 3 each. Shirley and Julian went down with Joyce, Lee and myself. Amer and Nattelee went down with Munirah, John and Guan Jey. Once in the water, Shirley and Amer took turns to test us on identifying the several fish that were perched or swimming about. Visibility was 10 to 15 meters. Angel fish would appear on and off and convince us that they were butterfly - such posers. The occasional not-so-solitary grouper would have us think twice before identifying it despite its pectoral fins and spotted- matted complexion. Inconspicuous fish remained inconspicuous due to their small size and schoolish behavior. Sweetlips, we saw three and then we knew they could not be mistaken for another. Snappers were the tricky ones for most of us. A lot of wanna-be snappers in Miri waters, which we need to be wary of while doing the reef check.

13th May: 3rd and 4th Dive: Siwa
After heavy showers in the early hours of the morning we dared the Seahawk to take us to Siwa. The water was choppier than the day before but Billy; the boatman did the best he could given the circumstances and had us at the site in an hour or so. Despite the chaos on the surface, once we dove all that changed. We were still in the same groups; however Nattelee and Julian switched places. The visibility was slightly better than the day before and we were tested on substrates this time. Most of the time we had to waft the coral to check if it was hard or soft and then sometimes tap the surface twice to check if it was silt or sand. We saw a fair variety of sponge, soft and hard coral, silt, sand, rock, Nutrient Indicator Algae (NIA) and unfortunately Recently Killed Coral (RKC). On the whole, rubble was hard to find. A Moray Eel poked its ugly head out while we were being tested on the coral above it. The last session ended with Julian showing us how to lay the line, drop the plum line and also how to pace ourselves while doing the survey. Although the demonstration was on land it gave us a fair view of what is required when we actually conduct the reef check. All 6 of us are currently a reef check dive away from being eco-divers. All in all, the course was educational and fun. We certainly look forward to continue MNS Miri’s Reefcheck surveys soon! 

Reported by: Miriam Chacko

MNS Miri Branch Annual General Meeting 2012

It is the time of year again to exercise your right to elect your branch committee. Please do block this date in your diaries. 

MNS Miri Branch Annual General Meeting 2012 

DATE     : 7^th July 2012 (Saturday)

TIME      : 2.00 – 4.00 pm (tea will be served)

VENUE  : Lambir National Park

AGENDA             

-          AGM ( 2 – 4 pm)

-          Night walk at Lambir National Park (6 – 8 pm)

Branch committee members are important for the success of the branch. In the past, many of the activities organized by MNS Miri have been driven by passionate and energetic individuals who are personally interested on a particular field. Thanks to these individuals, we’ve enjoyed a variety of activities such as birding, trekking, Reefcheck, conducting firefly surveys and promoting nature awareness through outreach programs with local schools. It is important that we build upon or expand the good work done over the years and sustain MNS Miri’s presence in Miri. It is up to us to make this happen.

The following are positions up for elections:

Branch Chairperson

1.      Responsible to Council and undertakes responsibilities determined by Council and branch members

2.      Responsible for Branch supervision and operations

3.      Upholds and represents MNS Society at the branch level

4.      Leads the Branch committee in developing annual strategy and programmes

5.      Chairs the Branch committee meetings and the Branch AGM

Branch Vice Chairperson

1.       Upholds and represents MNS at the branch level in the absence of Branch Chairperson

2.       Assists in developing annual strategy and programmes

3.       Leads the Branch and its committee in its activities / operations, as deemed necessary, in the absence of the Branch Chair

Branch Honorary Secretary

1.       Responsible for all Branch records and correspondence

2.       Custodian of MNS Rules and Regulations and other official branch documents

3.       Submits annual returns to MNS Secretariat

4.       Records and reads minutes of branch meetings and Branch AGM

Branch Honorary Treasurer

1.      Responsible for development and execution of financial policies, procedures, audits and controls at branch level

2.       Receives and disburses funds in payment of all obligations

3.       Develops and recommends annual budget to Branch committee

Ordinary Committee Members

(At least one and not more than 6 members can be elected.)

1.      Specific role to assist Branch committee including areas of membership, public relations, succession planning, developing conservation and environmental education programmes and initiation of new project initiatives

Only valid members with paid-up memberships up to 31st July 2012 are eligible to attend, stand for election and vote at the AGM.

Please respond to mnsmiri@yahoo.com by 25^th June 2012 on the following:

• Your attendance for AGM
• Are you planning to join the night walk?

Bukit Pantu Trek

We're heading to Lambir National Park before the holidays. 

Date: 26 May 2012
Time: 0700 hrs (at Taman Awam) - 1300 hrs

You'll need, proper shoes, small face towel, water & insect repellant.  

For queries and to register please e-mail jvsivalingam@hotmail.com.

p.s: Gayu Guru, Gerai Nyamai to all MNS Miri members who celebrate Hari Gawai !

Let's Cycle

Some of us at MNS are planning to take our cycles out for a spin and we would love for you to join us. Below are a few details of the event:

Date: Saturday, 19th May 2012

Route: Road side (just before the ASEAN bridge)-Kuala Baram Sungai Tujuh road-jetty and back

Distance: 24 km approx.

Start time: 7.00 am The must haves: a cycle (of course:)) and a helmet.

So slap on some sunscreen and be at the car park at 6:50 am on the 19th of May. For queries and to register, please contact chacko.miriam@gmail.com.

Earth Hour 2012 - Miri Style

On 31st March, a group of MNS Miri Branch Members joined the rest of the world to commemorate Earth Hour 2012 by a symbolic act of spending that hour (or night, in our case) with little or no dependence on electricity. What began as a simple idea of ‘Bonfire anyone ?” rapidly snowballed to an overnight stay what with the encouraging response from the camping enthusiasts of the likes of Nazeri, Musa, Sara, Adeline and her adventurous group.

At 5.30pm, our group began the 20 minute walk towards the beach from the meeting point in front of SY Shrimp Farm, Kuala Baram. We followed an indistinctive path, causing some raised eyebrows from locals who probably didn’t expect to see a party of 17, weaving their way through overgrown weeds laden with camping gear, fishing rods, sleeping bags and food for the night (which included 2 buckets of Colonel Sanders’ finest, courtesy of Anura). After a final balancing act on raised narrow adjoining planks across the water logged ground, we reached the beach and continued our way on the beach to the desired site amidst the setting sun.

With dusk fast approaching, the campers staked their respective spots and before long there were 6 sturdy tents, 2 makeshift shelters and 2 crackling bonfires gracing our campsite.Once the ‘hard labour’ was out of the way, we wasted no time devouring food brought for the night around the the bonfire. The night was well spent with some star gazing, an MNS Miri Branch committee meeting (thanks Miriam and company, for making your way to join us) and a sighting of a dried turtle carcass on the beach. Shortly after the official Earth Hour ended, those returning to Miri made their way back leaving the campers to the solitude of the night accompanied by the prolific flames of the bonfire.

I would venture to say the night was near perfect for camping except for the exodus of blood thirsty mosquitoes that mobilized their army from neighboring Brunei upon realizing there was a feast that night. They proved to be insatiable, effortlessly penetrating any form of defense mounted against them. Mosquitoes aside, we spent the night under a canopy of a clear night sky studded with stars anticipating the occasional breeze for a much needed respite.

At half past 5 the next day, a light shower sent those sleeping out in the open (Nazeri, Amer and me), scurrying for the makeshift tents. Just when Amer and I, were beginning to feel all smug that our hastily constructed shelter was still standing, a gust of wind transformed our shelter to a sail (a darn good one if I may say so) and we soon realized it is time to abandon ship. We gate-crashed Nazeri’s spacious makeshift tent (which was holding up really well) and waited out the rain while those keeping warm and dry in their tents were oblivious to this pre-dawn saga of musical tents. Little did we realise, that it was just a prelude to what was yet to come.

While lounging around the dying embers of the bonfire comparing mosquito bite marks over breakfast, a wall of dark looming clouds crept behind us and instinctively we made a dash to break camp and (hopefully) escape the torrential rain. We trudged out from the campsite in the heavy downpour and by the time we re-grouped at the roadside, the skies were bright and blue once more. Though the weather brought an abrupt end to our activity, we said our goodbyes while laughing about our experience and began scheming outrageous plans to mount a counter attack on the Kuala Baram mosquitoes next time around. Despite being bitten twice over and getting drenched, I am glad to hear that there will be a ‘next time’.
Words by: Joyce Sivalingam
Images by: Peter Pillai