Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Reefs in the Region: Pulau Tioman

Tioman Marine Park
Haven

32 nautical miles off the coast of East Malaysia, Pahang, in the South China Sea sit a group of islands – The Tioman Marine Park. Pulau Tioman is the largest of the nine islands making up the marine park (P.Tioman, P. Tulai, P. Labas, P. Sepo, P. Seri Buat, P. Tokong Bahara, P. P. Gut, P. Cebeh and P. Sembilang). These islands and the surrounding waters were deemed a Marine Park in 1994. So far, 221 species of coral have been recorded in the waters around P. Tioman.



It is interesting to note the semi-pristine conditions there. Echoing the sentiments of Professor Chou Loke Ming of Singapore’s reefs are some divers on the conditions at P. Tioman, “Last time don’t even need to dive, just snorkel can see beautiful coral beds near the beach, now cannot already.” Despite Singapore’s sheer mass of pollution we boast of 250+ species of coral. Yet our waters are hardly considered a marine park, an industrial park yes but not a marine park.

Following are some pictures taken while diving at P. Tioman and the surrounding islands.


nemo


fish


more fish


nudibranch


coral and endemic species

One day. Singapore can be like this. All we've got is potential to be better. Singapore is surrounded by water, it is our backyard. Our city's a garden but our yard is a dump. Let us grow a garden in our yard so that Singapore can be more than a garden city but a garden nation.

(Pictures by Theo)

Jacque and Theophilus finished work at 11:18 AM

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the marine junkies
Jacque and Theophilus
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NUS High School
NUS Marine Biology Labs

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Nudibranchs drawn by Prof. Chou
(hand drawn! wow!)
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