Muck Diving in Kudat

Muck Diving in Kudat

        We all know scuba diving on a coral reef is an amazing experience, with colourful corals and an amazing array of marine life. With everything from spectacularly coloured fish to tiny shrimp, and all that’s in between.

        However, there is a whole world of weird and wonderful waiting to be discovered out on the sandy flats, which brings us to the often underestimated MUCK DIVE!

        Sure you won’t be instantly overwhelmed by the obvious beauty of a coral reef, but with a bit of patience and a keen eye the inhabitants of the muck are well worth the search.

        Out on the sandy flats of Kudat are some creatures you have to see to believe.

In this harsh environment lacking in shelter, the cunning creatures who call the muck home, are always on the lookout for cover, be it a discarded can or coconut husk.

        We have been building artificial reefs out in these baron environments, which has resulted in the reefs being swiftly populated, and left the surrounding sand flat teeming with life.

          The list of organism we at TRACC encounter includes: 

Mimic octopus

Frog fish

Ambon scorpionfish

Urchin carrier crabs

Snake eels

Sting rays

Sea horses

Ghost pipe fish.

         With such an impressive list of locals it can be hard to focus on the task at hand ;) but the work must go on.

         So the next time you’re on a dive and you see the sandy planes lurking just off the reef, head out there and explore, you may be rewarded with the treasures of the ocean not found by many.

          For more information on the exciting experience that is muck diving watch:

         ‘Mucky Secrets’ on Youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJMZ6reOB0E

More info about volunteering with TRACC in Malaysia - Turtle Snorkellers - Divers

WE SAW DOLPHINS NEAR THE TIP OF BORNEO!!!

It was quiet during our return trip from Light House. The weather was hot, but the sea was wavy and the water was cold. Everyone was tired after the harsh condition of the routine work dive. Max was our boatman that day. Even this humorous guy was not as chatty as he usually was.

            I was deep in my own thought when the boat suddenly came into a halt. “Something’s wrong?” Max never stopped the boat without warning unless there’s a problem with the engine. “Something jumped out from the sea surface…seems like a dolphin.”

I was astonished. “Really!? Dolphin? Where??” Everybody in the boat was stirred upon hearing the word DOLPHIN.

            “Right----over there,” Max replied with his usual comical manner, “slightly to your left.” We brought ourselves to the side of the boat and gazed towards the direction Max pointed at. Someone fetched the camera and started videoing.

            One…two…swoosh! It was within seconds when another dolphin jumped out, right in front of our eyes. “A dolphin!” “DolphinSS!” There was more than just one. “Woohoo!” “Did you get it on the camera!?” We were all excited. “Quick! Quick! Snorkel!! Fins!!!” “Jump jump jump jump!” We frantically put on our equipment and jumped off the boat, hoping to get closer and swim alongside the dolphins. But no, of course it didn’t happen, we scared them away instead XD.

We climbed back into the boat and Max brought the boat towards the school of dolphins. We were literally chasing after them. The dolphins seemed to realize our approach and jumped out of the sea a couple of times. I fancy they were greeting us in dolphin’s custom, haha.

We followed the dolphins for some time, and managed to get close enough to tape some videos to show our friends before heading back to camp. It was totally awesome. Now I have another thing to brag to my friends about my stay with TRACC.                                                                                                             

 More info about volunteering with TRACC in Malaysia - Turtle Snorkellers - Divers 

--Emily--

TURTLES MATING AT THE TIP OF BORNEO

Witnessing turtles mating might not be so much of an exciting encounter for frequent divers. But it was hilarious indeed to bump into a pair of turtles when they are mating in the middle of the ocean. They split up when the boat got near. One of them swam right off, dived down and disappeared. I wonder if the mating was successful @.@?




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Sunset on he Tip of Borneo beach

The view from the camp is spectacular, there's not many places it gets as amazing as this:

Maria Fredriksson

Tracc on Facebook

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Volunteer evening entertainment.

We are on a beautiful beach and a bit remote from town, we have no TV so what does everyone do after watching the sunset and eating supper.

Night or sunset dives are possible when the sea is calm.


Karaoke is popular for party nights











ordinary nights we play, scrabble, monopoly, card games.  Some of us are ace at bridge, uno or poker!


we read and study.

Occasionally we watch a documentary or a movie.

Interestingly you make good friends when you actually play/ interact with them and don't simply watch mindless TV.

Submerged marine conservation with TRACC

Linkia starfish

The marine life at the tip of borneo was fantastic - so many different species and so colurful.  We did some great biodiversity surveys, counting and identifying fish and other marine life.  My photo collection leaves me spoilt for choice.  These are a few of my favourites

original triptease post here
More info about volunteering with TRACC in Malaysia - Turtle Snorkellers - Divers

Lion fish

Dendronepthya soft coral

Sabellid worm

Diving volunteer during Cuttlefish breeding season

Cuttlefish breeding season is early each year and I was lucky enough to visit TRACC in the middle of the breeding season.  They were not seen on every dive but we did see groups of upto 6 at the lighthouse. They are simply amazing.  Flashes of colour with elecric blue and then the whole body can change from spiky to smooth and from red to white.

Original triptease post here
More info about volunteering with TRACC in Malaysia - Turtle Snorkellers - Divers

Dive with Nemo

A marine conservation centre which is actually building coral reef to repair damage done by blast fishers. The reefs of SE Asia have been destroyed by many human interactions. I visited TRACC-borneo to help make a positive difference. we made bottle reefs using recycled materials, we planted reefs and looking at the reefs made by previous volunteers, it actually works. I could see the difference. If you have time to volunteer to help save part of the planet - Nemo needs you.


Original Triptease here  
More info about volunteering with TRACC in Malaysia - Turtle Snorkellers - Divers 

Scops Owl at the TRACC Tip of Borneo camp

This unfledged baby Scops Owl fell out of a coconut tree a couple of weeks ago. He spends his days snoozing safely in a cat box and his nights hopping about the place, nibbling people's ears and learning to fly. ‪#‎TRACC‬ ‪#‎conservation‬ ‪#‎volunteer‬

 We need more people to document the bird biodiversity as part of the basleine management plan for the Tun Mustapha Marine Park.  Come and Join us.

Marine Science A Level Fisheries Fieldwork

Parrot fish from coral reef fisheries

The Marine Science A level class had a lot of fun and learnt a lot by being in the environment during fieldtrips.  The students and staff from TRACC had lots of fun doing many practicals in mangroves, rocky shores and underwater on coral reefs. These are some of the images from the Fisheries fieldwork done by the 2015 Marine Science A level class.

UPDATE

One of our students was the Best #Marine #Science #student in the world. What an honour. Congratulations #TomGibson http://goo.gl/mTx4ge 

Huge diversity of fish species

Liz studying a guitarshark

Sorting a purse seine catch
from left - Liz, Gon, Tom, Matti, Kit and Sonny