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) 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.

OBJECTIVES 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 To identify major threats to the coastal resources.

OBJECTIVES To evaluate the status of management and suggest methods for sustainable development of the coastal environment and resources.

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 Kudat EPSP’09 1 Kota Kinabalu Sandakan EPSP ’10? 2 3 4 Tawau Kudat EPSP’09 1 EPSP ’10? 2 3 4 Semporna

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)

RESEARCH TEAM 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

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

RESEARCH TEAM FROM OTHER UNIVERSITIES 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)

TIMELINE Activities Period (month) 2009 2010 J F M A S O N D Planning, proposal writing and approval from NOD 2 months x Identification of base-camps and sampling stations 0.25 month Deployment of research teams, research & data collection 1 month Sample & data analysis 6 months Report writing 3 months Submission of Expedition Report Publication of scientific findings

KEY MILESTONES Project Milestone / Output Period (month) 2009 2010 J F M A S O N D Identification of research team, study area/sites/stations x Deployment of research teams, survey, sample, data collection End of survey, sampling & data collection Submission of preliminary findings Submission of Expedition Report Publication of scientific papers & coffee-table book

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

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