COASTAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROFILE OF SULU-SULAWESI SEAS

A RESEARCH PROPOSAL PRESENTED TO NOD FOR ‘EKSPEDISI PERDANA 09’

TITLE

COASTAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROFILE OF SULU-SULAWESI SEAS

OBJECTIVES (5)

1. To evaluate the status of major marine resources (such as coral reefs, mangroves, seagrasses, algae [including plankton], marine mammals, reptiles and fishes) and selectively map their distribution in the Sulu-Sulawesi Seas.

2. To determine the physical and chemical

properties of coastal water and sediment

in the Sulu-Sulawesi Seas.

OBJECTIVES

3. To determine the socio-economic

importance of these resources.

OBJECTIVES

4. To identify major threats to the coastal

resources.

OBJECTIVES

5. To evaluate the status of management and suggest methods for sustainable

development of the coastal environment

and resources.

OBJECTIVES

SCOPE OF RESEARCH

Biodiversity of coastal resources Distribution of important resources Physical and chemical properties of

coastal water and sediment Socio-economic importance Threats (natural and human induced) Suggestions for management

RESEARCH APPROACH

Integrated, multi-disciplinary, multi-agency task team.

Mobilization and logistical supports from land-bases.

Identified coastline and study area will be divided into study zones.

Study Team shall move from one zone to the next after completion of the tasks identified.

Sabah

Indonesia

Kota Kinabalu Sandakan

Tawau

Kudat

Semporna

1

2

4

3

EPSP’09

EPSP ’10?

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

Using standard scientific methods in surveys, sample & data collection, storage and analyses.

RESEARCH COORDINATION TEAM

Co-Leaders (2) Ground Manager (1) Assistant Ground Managers (2)

– Sea Operation – Land Operation

Logistical Support Requirement

Boats 6 units 4 Wheel Drives 2 units Buses (40 p) 1 unit Truck 1 unit Dive gear Scientific equipment Sampling gear

RESEARCH TEAM

Universities: Universiti Malaya (UM) Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS)

Government Departments/Agencies Sabah Parks Department of Fisheries Department of Wildlife Department of Mineral & Geo-Science

RESEARCH TEAM

Non Government Organizations Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF

Malaysia) Reef Check Malaysia Reef Guardian

RESEARCH TEAM

SABAH TEAM

UMS: 17 Key Researchers

36 Research Assistants, Post- & Undergraduate

students

8 boat crew Sabah Parks (2 Researchers, 4 Boat Crew) Wildlife Department (1 Researcher) Fisheries Department (1 Researcher) WWF (2 Key Researchers)

RESEARCH TEAM FROM OTHER UNIVERSITIES

Universiti Malaya (UM) Prof. Dr. Phang Siew Moi Dr. Louisa P Dr. Harinder Singh Dr. Omar Ahmad & Dr. Khairun Yahya

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) Prof. Dr. Che Abdul Rahim Mohamed Lee Jen Nie Mohd Shahrim Senik Two graduate students

(Biogeochemical of terrestrial influence into coral reefs in Sulu-Sulawesi)

RESEARCH TEAM FROM OTHER UNIVERSITIES

Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Prof. Madya Dr. Siti Azizah Mohd. Nor

(Barcoding of commercially important marine species)

RESEARCH TEAM FROM OTHER UNIVERSITIES

Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) Dr. Samsur Mohamad

(Toxin studies on selected marine organisms)

RESEARCH TEAM FROM OTHER UNIVERSITIES

TIMELINE

Activities Period(month)

2009 2010

J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M A M J

Planning, proposal writing and approval from NOD

2 months x x x

Identification of base-camps and sampling stations

0.25 month x

Deployment of research teams, research & data collection

1 month x x

Sample & data analysis 6 months x x x x x x

Report writing 3 months x x x

Submission of Expedition Report

x

Publication of scientific findings

6 months x x x x x x

KEY MILESTONES

Project Milestone / Output

Period(month)

2009 2010

J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M A M J

Identification of research team, study area/sites/stations

x

Deployment of research teams, survey, sample, data collection

x

End of survey, sampling & data collection

x

Submission of preliminary findings

x

Submission of Expedition Report

x

Publication of scientific papers & coffee-table book

x x x x x x

OUTPUT/IMPACTS

Updated data base of marine resources & socio-economic status of those dependent on the resources in the Malaysian Sulu-Sulawesi Seas.

Distribution maps of important marine resources. Coffee-table book on marine resources of SS

Seas. Scientific papers. Resource management recommendations. Postgraduate and undergraduate theses

SECURITY

Coordinating with the Royal Malaysian Police

THANK YOU