Three from Curtin Sarawak get EcoDiver certification

Miri - 25 November 2015 – Three members of the Curtin University, Sarawak Malaysia (Curtin Sarawak) Dive Club are now certified EcoDivers following their participation in the Reef Check EcoDiver Training organised by the Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) Miri Branch recently.

The training was conducted by two Reef Check Malaysia trainers and marine biologists under a grant from Shell Malaysia. 

Dr. Stephanie Chan, Angelina Laing and Lim Wee Teck were among five divers who completed the training and are now certified EcoDivers, in addition to four who are now certified trainers. The certification enables the divers to participate in Reef Check surveys for substrate identification, invert identification and fish identification in the Indo-Pacific region.

Reef Check is an international non-governmental organisation dedicated to the conservation of tropical coral reefs and California rocky reefs. It was founded in 1996 by marine ecologist Dr. Gregor Hodgson and works to create partnerships among community volunteers, government agencies, businesses, universities and other non-profit organisations. One of Reef Check’s priorities is to educate the public about the value of reef ecosystems and the current crisis affecting marine life.

Its local chapter, Reef Check Malaysia (RCM), was registered as a non-profit organisation in 2007 and holds the same values and vision as its American parent. Apart from its annual survey to assess the health of reefs in the country, RCM also conducts education and awareness, along with reef rehabilitation programmes with its certified EcoDiver volunteers.

In Miri, Reef Check surveys have been conducted since 2004. Miri is one of the few locations in Malaysia that has independently provided reef check data consistently over the years due to the dedication and commitment of the EcoDivers and trainers here. They achieved an important milestone in November 2015 in completing all surveys required by Reef Check Malaysia for the area.

Curtin Sarawak is the largest international campus of Curtin University in Western Australia. It shares the same vision and values as its parent, aiming to be recognised as an international leader in education and research. At the same time, Curtin Sarawak places great emphasis on sustainable development and environmental conservation, partnering with various organisations to achieve common goals in those areas.

For more information on Curtin Sarawak, visit its website at www.curtin.edu.my, its Facebook page (CurtinUniversitySarawakMalaysia), Twitter profile (curtinsarawak), YouTube channel (CurtinUniSarawak), or Instagram (curtinsarawak).