Scuba Diving to Repair Coral Reefs in Borneo

Though the program changed during my stay there, the staff was beyond fantastic at accommodating everyone and making our stay perfect. The food was magnificent (Robbie, you are the best) and the day to day operations were right in line with the objectives of the current program to make the Tip of Borneo a protected marine sanctuary. I could not have asked for a better experience!

I have just spent 7 of the most amazing weeks of my life at TRACC’s Kudat camp. The diving on the west coast of the Kudat Peninsula is absolutely staggering, with heaps and heaps of colourful corals and a huge diversity of fish and other marine life as well. When the weather prevented us from diving on the west coast, we took day trips to the east coast which is just as awesome. During my time with TRACC I completed my open water and Advanced Open Water Diver certification and was able to participate in loads of underwater adventures.
Learning to make several different types of artificial substrate, using glass bottles, plastic bottles, crates and black pipe all anchored in cement bases, helping to search for suitable locations and then placing the constructions in those locations gave me a immense sense of triumph, especially when small fish began to explore them and as soon as the structures were in place. We collected lots of live coral fragments from storm damaged reefs at the lighthouse, attached these fragments to the substrates and watched them grow. It was truly incredible to see how quickly the corals are able to begin colonisation and flourish on the new substrate. Towards the end of my stay, I participated in several survey dives to search for cuttlefish along the inshore reefs and describe the topography and features of the reef in preparation for a cuttlefish spawning event that is expected to take place in January/February next year (I only wish I could be here for that).
I was also a willing participant in several exploration dives to off shore reefs rarely explored by humans. These expeditions were a highlight of my internship, being able to compare the difference in diversity of the near shore reefs and the off shore ones. The visibility at these reefs went forever and the fish species were abundant.
Steve and the staff at TRACC are extremely friendly, helpful and full of information for those who want to learn, all you have to do is ask. I have learned more in the past 7 weeks than I have in the past two and half years of study. It is an honour and a privilege to have been involved with such a fantastic organisation and able to help with their conservation projects to preserve the biodiversity in this area. I will miss you all and look forward to seeing you again soon.
I have already booked my return trip next year so that I can bring my husband and two teenage sons over here to see for themselves how being passionate about something and getting involved can actually make a difference.

The trip was great fun, the reefs around the new site near the tip of borneo were incredible. I could only afford to snorkel which was a shame as the diving they did on the reef sounded amazing. I would definitely revisit it is worth every penny. Try to go when the weather is calm, the two weeks I went a few storms happened which ruined the visibility, it was still an unbelievable two weeks. Highly recommended.

If you’re able to travel to Pom Pom, do yourself a favor and go! Volunteering with TRACC was one of the best decisions I ever made. I didn’t exactly know what to expect before going – I had never dived before, knew little about marine biology, and had never traveled alone before (I was only 19). But the moment I stepped off the boat and onto the island, I was in awe. I was greeted warmly, shown around the site, and introduced to everyone. I immediately began my PADI certification training and was diving comfortably within a few days (by the time I left, I had become certified as an Advanced Diver). My instructor was really helpful, kind and down to earth.

Life on the island is pretty idyllic. While you won’t be staying at a five-star hotel, the basics are all taken care of -- everyone is provided a tent with an air mattress and a fan. I was rather happy with my accommodation – it was all very comfortable. Lunch and dinner are typically rice or noodles with vegetables, and there’s always some meat for the carnivores out there. For breakfast, you have the kitchen at your disposal and can eat whatever you choose to make (I typically just ate toast with marmite and fruit). Toilets and showers were substantial (cold showers… but in the Borneo heat, you wouldn’t want anything else).

I would typically go on two dives a day. Either they would be “work dives”, in which we would collect or plant hard/soft coral, or simply fun dives. The diving was spectacular – multiple different sites, each with SO much diversity. And at the end of the day, you can lie on a hammock under the jetty and read a book or have a beer.

On top of learning a lot about fish aggregating devices, reefs, and species identification, I feel like a made a lot of really wonderful friends. The people on Pom Pom were always SUCH great company, and after spending a month there, it was very hard to leave. If I get a chance, I know I’ll be coming back! I’d suggest volunteering at TRACC to anyone.

I'm 35, I live in London and travel quite a lot with work. I didn't take a gap year and have never travelled alone before. So it was with some anxiety that I decided to book up this four week trip to TRACC. I love and care about nature and all animal life, so I knew that I'd be going to a place which would attract like minded people, people who care and are compassionate. That's what separated this adventure with one of hosteling around the world to various cities, a common ground before you've even arrived. After 34 hours of travelling I was met in Semporna and taken to a small boat for the last hour of my journey. The boat to Pom Pom Island. As the island came into view I knew I had made the right decision to go. Every hour of my journey was worth every minute on this island. I had the best four weeks I think I've ever had. Importantly it's about conservation. I had never even worn fins before (I wasn't allowed to call them flippers) so diving to me was brand new. In 30 days I totalled 35 dives, this was down to excellent instruction and a get-on-with-it attitude from Steve, TRACC's Director and founder. Such a refreshing attitude because once you can dive you can start to make a real difference in the regeneration of marine life around the island. I was doing fish surveys, planting and collecting corals, marking out mooring sites and much more. I've seen and swam with creatures that I've only ever seen on the wonderful Attenborough programmes. I just can't stress enough how wonderful the whole experience was. The best decision I have made, that's for sure. It is important to go to TRACC for the right reasons. Marine conservation is that reason. If you don't want to help and just want a sunbathing holiday then it's not the place for you. If you'd like to make a difference and throw yourself at the challenges of the island then you'll have the best time ever. Maybe I was lucky with the particular group of volunteers and staff we had there at the time...? I certainly felt lucky, but I think you'd have to try incredibly hard to NOT have a good time on this project. Steve's passion is evident and infectious. The diving leadership and instruction was superb. The food was great (and cooked for you!). The social side was brilliant. I learned so much about so many things and have a real drive to now continue that.
Are there any bad parts you may wonder? Well the flies were a bit annoying occasionally. That's it. Will I be making a return to TRACC on Pom Pom Island again? ..... Without a shadow of a doubt!

Days were busy actually making a difference, we mixed cement and made bottle reefs, we planted the corals and we transfered coral biscuits to the nursery. I was particularly excityed by the survey dives we made on the new TRACC reef. This was one of the best reefs I have ever seen anywhere, fantastic corals and fish. The research projects that we helped the scientists with will definitely make it easier to create a marine protected area.
OH - There are also more turtles than you can count and this was so much fun. Great people and a sense of a job well done make this a program above the rest.

Hi everyone!

My names Sonny and I’m currently a member of staff here on Pompom. I’m lucky enough to be a marine biologist on the island. I came in May 2013 as a Science intern, spent 3 months out here and couldn’t face leaving, so I didn’t. I love my job as being out in the field it varies daily and builds me both as a person and a scientist. On a usual day we get 3 dives in, see awesome marine life and make a real difference to the adundance of 3d habitat. In the turtle season we collect eggs roughly 4 times a week and towards the end of it we release turtles at approximately the same rate.

Since being on the island one of my most memorable experiences occurred as a result of a boat collision with a turtle near the large resort. I had recently just become a member of staff, and most of the long term staff were absent, so I was dropped in at the deep end. Myself and the volunteers came to visit the turtle and ended up taking it back to the camp in a make shift turtle carrying device. Everyone was on hand to either be carrying the injured lady or making a deluxe short term enclosure (including en suite pool). It was amazing to see how all the volunteers banded together to try and help her. The next day we all took a trip to Semporna (you can see this on the video enjoying pizza etc). With help from the WWF I managed to arrange transport with the wildlife department, we shipped her across Malaysia to a turtle rehabilitation center in KK to give her the best possible chance of survival. Green turtles are considered endangered by the IUCN redlist thus each individual is important, here at TRACC we can be proud knowing we always do our best.

In the next two years I’m most excited about the marine protected area(s) we are setting up. Around SE Asia the seas are heavily overfished, whilst dynamite fishing is illegal sadly it is also still very present. With more defined protected areas it will help all stakeholders. These pockets of protected areas will maintain / increase biodiversity, this will please us as we are a conservation center (also provide some good areas to compare degraded and non-degraded sites and recovery rates), this will also please divers and dive shops alike. Surprisingly fishermen will be pleased as the MPA’s will have a brood stock of fish and so increase fish abundance through a spill over effect. Basically it’s all win, and that’s why this is my favorite future project.

I hope after reading my small caption upon TRACC I have shown you that we are a worthwhile and fun organisation. So if you’re prepared to pitch in and make a difference, come along. We’re always to see new enthusiastic faces and share knowledge.