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| The main building of the Sugud Islands Marine Research Centre. Pic: Borneo Post |
SANDAKAN: The Sabah Wildlife Department, Reef Guardian Sdn Bhd and
Cardiff University recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU)
to establish the Sugud Islands Marine Research Centre (SIMRC) on Billean
Island, within the Sugud Islands Marine Conservation Area (SIMCA), on
the east coast of Sabah.
Assistant Tourism, Culture and
Environment Minister Datuk Pang Yuk Ming, who witnessed the signing of
the MoU, said that on December 3, 2001, the State Government of Sabah
declared three islands comprising Lankayan, Tegaipil and Billean as well
as surrounding coastal shallow reef areas of approximately 46,317
hectares as Sugud Islands Marine Conservation Area.
“SIMCA has
been playing for more than 12 years a key role in managing coral reef
conservation for the long-term benefits of eco-tourism and the
biodiversity of marine life.
“Now, Reef Guardian that was
appointed to fully manage SIMCA with close cooperation with Sabah
Wildlife Department is embarking on a new initiative together with
Cardiff University: the setting up of a marine research centre to
enhance research and conservation of the marine ecosystem and
scientifically assess the success of the conservation area.
“I am
extremely proud to be part of this initiative that will certainly
increase the interest of local and international scientists for coral
reef ecosystem research in the region, and will certainly boost
eco-tourism in the east coast of Sabah,” he said.
Davies Austin
Spiji, research officer at Reef Guardian and manager of SIMRC, said the
objectives of SIMRC are to enhance knowledge and skills on marine
research and monitoring through joint training, workshops and research
for effective management of marine resources and biodiversity
conservation.
“SIMRC will also provide training and teaching
facilities to local and international universities and institutions for
hand-on field experiences in tropical coral reef ecosystem,” added
Davies.
“Finally, SIMRC will facilitate restocking of commercially
important and threatened marine species in Sabah region through
mariculture practices and promote awareness on marine conservation to
public and local stakeholders,” said Davies.
Dr Benoit Goossens,
director of Danau Girang Field Centre (DGFC) and Research Associate at
Cardiff University, said the creation of the marine research centre in
SIMCA will provide a world-class education and research facility with
the necessary structure and resources to undertake advanced marine
ecosystem science, particularly in small tropical island and coral reef
ecology.
He said Cardiff University will offer field courses to
Malaysian students and to other local and international students to
undertake training at SIMRC, will manage student intake and field work
programme at the centre, and will help raising funds for the procurement
of consumables and additional laboratory equipments and for research
projects and conservation activities to be carried out at SIMRC and
within SIMCA.
“Today, Cardiff University is in a position to offer
field courses and research opportunities in the two most diverse
ecosystems of the world, tropical coral reef at SIMRC and tropical
rainforest at DGFC in the Kinabatangan. For that, we would like to thank
the Sabah State Government, the Sabah Wildlife Department and Reef
Guardian for their support and frienship and we look forward to many
years of collaboration,” added Goossens.
Kenneth Chung, director
of Reef Guardian; Roland Niun, Sabah Wildlife Department’s senior
officer for Sandakan District, Jeffrey Hj Aman, secretary of Sandakan
Municipal Council and Jufri Hj Nasri, officer in charge for Turtle
Islands Park were also present at the signing ceremony.
Source: Borneo Post
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