Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports YB Pehin Dato Hj Hazair (2nd R), with US Ambassador to Brunei Daniel Shields (2nd L) and HSBC Brunei CEO Todd Wilcox (3rd L) during the launch of the GX H2O at Serasa Water Sports Complex. BT/Saiful Omar
BRUNEI-MUARA
Monday, May 12, 2014
A SEVEN-MONTH coral restoration project was launched at the Serasa Water Sports Complex yesterday, in a bid to protect the marine environment.
Initiated by non-governmental organisation the Society for Community Outreach and Training (SCOT), the project is expected to include an underwater clean-up at popular dive sites, including the Pelong Rocks area that houses the endangered blue coral.
SCOT members and selected volunteers will conduct the coral restoration programme named Green Xchange (GX) H20.
Speaking during the launch of the programme, GX H20 Project Manager Mohammad Nur Isman Abu Bakar said the three-phased project is currently in its second month, and will conclude in November.
“Alhamdulillah, the progress of the programme has gone along as planned. Currently the 20 participants of this programme have completed the first phase, where they have earned their PADI Open Water Certificate.
“InsyaAllah, next week will be the last session for the second phase of this programme which is the coral propagation course,” explained Muhammad Nur Isman.
The participants consist of five HSBC employees, five SCOT members, and 10 volunteers that were selected by SCOT to take part in the project.
The first phase saw the participants enrol in diving courses in small groups to ensure the safety and quality of their training, while the second phase known as the Ocean Quest Coral Propagation Diver Course had participants attend a briefing and hands-on practical sessions on coral propagation techniques.
It included a dive to collect broken coral pieces where they would bring it back to land for restoration, followed by a second dive to return the coral brood.
The final phase, ‘Ocean Dives’ will have participants perform at least 26 dives where each participant is required to perform four dives a month.
The event saw the handing over of a mock cheque from HSBC Brunei CEO Todd Wilcox to Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Laila Diraja Dato Seri Setia Hj Hazair Hj Abdullah. The minister then handed over the mock cheque worth $40,400 to SCOT Chairman Anwar Mohammad.
The money is expected to fund the coral restoration project.
The Brunei Times
Source: The Brunei Times
Author: Nabillah Haris
Published Date: Monday, May 12, 2014
