Origin

Sofia & I participated in a reef monitoring survey and several marine awareness programs in and out of the country and during a trip to a marine park in Indonesia, we were impressed by the park’s management ability in getting the local villagers to participate in their conservation program.

We realize that our beloved town Kota Kinabalu is developing rapidly where a lot of reclamation is being done; ports and resorts are being built along the coastal area and the booming aquaculture industries such as shrimp and fish farming as well as their downstream industry is a concern for us. The impact of these expansion on the surrounding reef area is disturbing.

Furthermore, diving is a big part of the eco-tourism here and generates income for the state. Therefore, it is important that the reef is monitored in order to establish a better management plan for the conservation of the marine life.

We have always wanted to help conserve our environment but we didn't know where to start.Tired of just talking about it, we decided to do something! Thats how we came up with KK Reef Watch.

In conjunction with the International Year of Reef 2008, we are hoping to start this project early next year and hopefully this will create awareness plus initiate an ongoing monitoring program in KK by volunteers.

Wish us luck :)