Following the highly successful campaign launch at Aquaria KLCC, an extraordinary coral restoration expedition took place at Pulau Bidong, Terengganu.
This immersive experience was joined by the Department of Fisheries Malaysia (DOF), University Malaysia Terengganu (UMT), and the dedicated team from Aquaria KLCC, aiming to make a tangible impact in revitalizing coral ecosystems firsthand. This is a great opportunity as Pulau Bidong’s coral reefs were severely damaged by Tropical Storm Pabuk, which hit the island in January 2019.
WORLD OF BUZZ had the honour of attending the expedition, which successfully took place on June 7 (Wednesday) to June 8 (Thursday), 2023. This allowed us the extraordinary opportunity to witness the coral restoration process up close and personal.
The expedition, meticulously designed and orchestrated by UMT, emphasized the importance of manual coral planting, allowing participants to gain first-hand knowledge and engage in this transformative conservation effort.
The coral planting process begins by applying epoxy on land.
The coral is then attached to a cement mold and secured to a metal plate. Divers manually hammer each metal plate onto the seabed one by one. This method is highly effective as it promotes coral growth while minimizing disturbance, allowing the coral to flourish and thrive at an accelerated pace.
Daryl Foong, the Executive Director of Aquaria KLCC, expressed his delight in being part of this meaningful collaboration
“Coral restoration efforts conducted by University Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) here at Pulau Bidong represented a concerted approach to saving these invaluable coral reefs. Aquaria KLCC is honored to have contributed to UMT’s research methods and acted as an educational center, imparting knowledge about coral reef replenishment activities and the lifecycle of these remarkable creatures to our visitors,” he said.
Most of the activities during the expedition took place underwater, immersing participants in the breathtaking beauty of the ocean and creating unforgettable experiences.
While the primary objective of Aquaria KLCC and UMT was to preserve biodiversity and ecosystems, this campaign also sought to inspire and instill a deep love for the ocean and a sense of environmental responsibility among the younger generation.
And in order to do that, the expedition brought together an impressive array of participants, including members from the Department of Fisheries Malaysia (DOF) and Aquaria KLCC, as well as renowned influencers such as The Mermaid Mission divers by Dolphin Lee Aquatic Sdn Bhd, popular singer Mimifly, Astro Big Show finalist I Am Neeta and influencer Ain Ramlee.
The presence of these influencers aimed to raise awareness about the critical importance of conserving these endangered coral reefs.
Additionally, any public realizations prompted by their involvement will translate into adoptions, which will fund Phase 3 of the campaign, set to commence in 2024.
Aquaria KLCC, UMT, DOF and all the dedicated participants of the coral restoration expedition at Pulau Bidong will remain committed to making a lasting impact on coral conservation. By engaging in hands-on activities and raising awareness about the significance of these delicate ecosystems, we all hope to inspire a collective effort to protect our planet’s oceans.
You can check out the video to the coral conservation campaign expedition here:
What do you think about this? Do feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section.
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