Muguntan Vanar, The Star 14 Jan 10;
KOTA KINABALU: Seven species of giant clams, including two which had been considered extinct in Malaysia, have been successfully revived at a resort’s research centre.
Reef restoration has also been successful at the Gayana Eco Resort located on Pulau Gaya, through its Marine Ecology Research Centre (MERC).
MERC project director Alwin Wong said the move to rehabilitate the destroyed and damaged coral reefs was a small step towards reviving the country’s marine environment that has been lost or is in danger of being permanently lost.
The two clams said to be extinct are Tridacna Gigas and Tridacna Derasa. The others are Tridacna Squamosa, Tridacna Maxima, Tridacna Crocea, Hippopus Hippopus and Hippopus Porcellanus
MERC’s programmes have also caught the eye of Tourism Malaysia, which awarded it with the “Most Innovative Tourism Attraction-Eco Conservation Award 2008/09” at a recent ceremony in Putrajaya.
Wong said the award reassured them that they were heading in the right direction.
Today, visitors are allowed to plant coral fragments and sign up for a one-day experience to work alongside marine biologists.
He said such opportunities allowed visitors to understand reef restoration works and what it takes to produce clams.
Coral effort nets tourism prize
Julia Chan, New Straits Times 18 Jan 10;
KOTA KINABALU: For Gayana Eco Resort's Marine Ecology Research Centre (MERC), profit was never the motivation, neither was winning awards.
But after being given the Most Innovative Tourist Attraction Award by Tourism Malaysia recently, things are set to take off for the modest but thriving research centre.
The centre showcases a modest display of marine life around the resort but its pride and joy lies in its coral replanting and giant clam propagation programme.
"The centre's mission is to give back something to nature and at the same time, provide environmental education.
"So, we did not expect to win this award," said MERC project director Alvin Wong.
Coral replanting at MERC is divided into two processes -- planting of broken coral fragments from the seabed into cement bases and the production of calcium carbonate through electrolysis using the bio-rock process, which stimulates coral growth and resistance.
The centre's bio-rock process is the only one of its kind being used in Malaysia.
"MERC has also successfully bred seven species of giant clams found in Malaysia after a two-year research," Wong said.
The clams, which are bred and monitored at the resort's vicinity, are considered important in the ecosystem as they can filter waste and clean the water.
Visitors to the island can participate in the delicate process of breeding these clams and reef restoration works.
"They can plant coral fragments and 'adopt' them to keep track of the progress.
"Or they can sign up for a day to experience working with marine biologists to better appreciate the work that goes into environmental protection," said Wong.
The centre and resort is situated in Malohom Bay on Gaya island, a 15-minute boat ride from here.
Last year, it recorded 8,000 visitors.
The tourism awards were presented to the most innovative operators in the country at a ceremony held at Putrajaya International Convention Centre (PICC) last Saturday.
Sabah-based North Borneo Safari also earned the Innovative Tour Programme Award for an inventive photography tourism package.
