ONLINE BOOKING
Join our group on:
| The Journal |
| Marine Conservation - The Journal |
|
The Journal is a record written by our Marine Conservation students describing their daily activities both above and beneath the water. Please scroll down to get some insight into some of the projects and work that you can get involved with if you join the New Heaven Marine Reef Conservation Program.  This weekend the DMCR arrived to launch their artificial reef, 8 planned structures. One features twelve 1 meter long, 1.20 meter diameter concrete rings organized into a two level configuration. Our job was to locate these rings on the sea floor and move them to their designated site. . .with 995 kg worth of lift bags we barely managed to move two rings. We've established a good system so tomorrow should be better.
Kelly - July 31 2010
 Visibility was good on this dive. There were lots of health foliose coral along the shallow transect. . .It was pleasing seeing some healthy coral and some also recovering, temperature of the sea has decreased by 1C from last month.
I've really enjoyed my time diving and meeting people from every corner of the planet. Thanks you everyone at New Heaven for a great experience. Neil - July 2010
 I'm here to do research for my dissertation project in coastal processes distributing sediment and the affect this has on recovery rates for coral. My degree in Scotland is Envirnomental Sustainability and my focus is hydrology. . .I hope to gain more skills in species identification and help assist Chad with surface temps and other seawater quality variables.
Skye - 9 July 2010
 I have spent two weeks here and it's been awesome. Really enjoyed it and have learnt so much. The reef is showing signs of improvement from the bleaching...temp 30-31 C. The last dive I did was to help build a coral nursery and then attach about 20-30 corals. Working underwater is great fun and a great way to end. Thanks to all of New Heaven for a unforgettable time.
James - 2 July 2010
 EMP at Aow Leuk today. . .we had some comedy having lost the line when we entered trigger fish territory. . .I really enjoyed the dive, as it was my first dive with more responsibility for myself and working underwater. I learnt how to identify coral and the names of a few fish species. . .looking forward to gaining more knowledge and experience.
23 June 2010 - Kriss
 EMP at Sai Nuan with Dev, Chris and Chad. . .special attention to bleaching corals. . .temp 32 C. Chad did coral watch! 113 min dive :)
Jillian, Jenny and Matt - 29 April 2010
 Draft #1 - Sorry we couln't say goodbye to you guys in person, but thanks for much for an awsome time here on Koh Tao. It was a pleasure, no, an honor getting to know you all. Hope everything goes well in the future. We will miss you, like a child misses his or her deceased pet. Stay chill. . .PS hopefully my tears have dried on this paper so you can read it. . .
Draft #-2 - Dear those whom it may concern, Sometimes I felt that my life was missing something, like a hole in my heart, pounding with emotion. But then I met you all, and between your beautiful smiles, trips to Babaloo, and sunset dive, you all have shown me the awesome power of love. . .Just as our friend Ghandi would say, "Peace and Love my brothers and sisters" Draft #3 - It's been quite a ride though and, we've got to say, loved every minute. The time, they are a changing, that's what Bob Dylan said. It's time for us to move on, to other things. You're all big boys and girls, so don't cry too much. It's for the best. If we never meet again, which I hope is not the case, have a good one (life). Draft #4 - YO HOMIES! PEACE OUT. . .Jam Master J and Ames Fizzle Sizzle April 2010 - James and Ames
Giant Clam Project. . .we constructed a rack made of PVC, reinforced with concrete and metal rods, to elevate the cages from the sea floor. . .we were able to to place three cages on the rack. . . .clams from five other cages were counted, measured and transfer into the three elevated cages. Hard work moving the structure, but a very successful day!
Chad, Dev, Kelly, James, Rohan, Regina, and Alke - 16 April 2010
The final day of out 2 weeks! The time has gone so fast and I feel I've learnt a lot, especially about the different kinds of invertebrates, coral and fish. I have especially enjoyed the EMP dives and collecting the substrate data. It's going to be hard going back to reality. - Jenny
Gutted its my last day. Did an excellent EMP dive, very enjoyable last dive. . . Emotional! Loved our group and will really miss you guys. Really honoured to have been here for Songkran too. . . couldn't say exactly what was my fave part of the course, it was all ace. . . keep going strong. . . Happy days on Koh Tao. - Faye 16 April 2010
Today our 'large' group divided into 2 groups. . .one group carried out the green fins survey which includes surveying local substrate and reef life. . .the second group placed new obstacles built for Buoyancy World. . .these obstacles are designed to test buoyancy skills of divers and well, are there to have fun! Enjoy!
Mark - 9 April 2010
 Very interested in Marine Biology and want to be a lot more experienced in both that field and conservation.
Today went to check on the buoy line for the shallow reefs. . .removed some nets from the line, saw an awesome reef shark and then went on a fun dive. . .Great day, woo hoo! James - 8 April 2010
 I came to New Heaven dive school to take part in the conservation programme as I think what these guys do here on Koh Tao kicks ass. . .I am currently doing a Marine Conservation degree in the UK and hope to one day work on something similar and also with TURTLES!
Dive to Hin Fai Biorock to collect fragments of coral. . .70 min dive. Faye - 7 April 2010
 Coral spawning day! Yeah!. . .Coral eggs were collected from 4 species of massive corals (Symphillia, Goniastrea, Platygyra, and Favites). . .we were able to collect the Goniastrea eggs. . .towards the end of the Goniastrea spawning the Platygyra went, but not quite as many eggs being released.
Christoph - 4 April 2010
 Today we went out to Tanote Bay in order to make a shallow and a deep water EMP. . .After a jump from the rock we went to Shark Island to install a mooring buoy (or better yet, replace the old one). . .Everything worked out fine.
Good day. Christoph - 2 April 2010
 Two weeks is now up and I need to leave the island and resume my 'normal' life of physiotherapy. . .I have really enjoyed coming to Koh Tao and learning a complete new skill with diving and gained a lot of knowledge. . .I hope to build on this with future visits. . .especially enjoyed learning about and working on the giant clam nurseries. . .Sad to go home...
Maria - 1 April 2010
 Last week was very busy preparing for the 'Save Koh Tao Festival'. . We spent many days on land to construct a model of Buoyancy World and help with the marine information booth set up.
Friday before the festival we took part in our largest clean up to date in Sairee. . .with over 220 volunteers from 17 dive schools, we were able to clean-up over 606 kgs of rubbish from under the sea. Saturday we were at the festival allday taking turns watching the booth (including 50 sea turtles to be released!) and wandering the festival grounds. Sunday we did 3 dives in the morning before heading back to the festival. . .the concrete mushrooms for the corals spawningproject were installed onto nurseries in Aow Leuk and Chalok. . .ten giant clams were also released at Shark Island.
Kelly - 25 March 2010
I have come to the end of my 4 weeks here on Koh Tao. . .I really enjoyed the project. . .Until I arrived here, I had observed corals in many places but here I had the opportunity to interact - taking fragments and tying them to a structure to help them grow. . .Overall, it was a very interesting experience, very educational and satisfying knowing you are helping with ongoing projects. - Sheila 12 March 2010
 Today we went to Sai Dang to lay a buoy line. Many people snorkeled to specific areas to help the divers tie the rope to dead coral heads to keep the line in place.
10 March 2010
Today we worked with the Save Koh Tao organization to begin an organic garden project with the local school children. First we helped layout the garden boundaries and then learned how to mix the soil with EM (Effective Micro-Organisms) to improve the quality of the soil. The kids were really excited about the project and involved in every step.
7 March 2010
 Over the last 2 nights the marine conservation team have been collecting eggs from the spawning coral of Chalok. On the first night we identified the tagged corals (those that we knew were looking healthy and ready to spawn). . .in buddy teams we took turns monitoring the corals for signs of spawning. . .the second night (4 nights after the full moon). . .Chad realized the branching corals were looking ready to spawn. We jumped in the water at about 8:15pm and by 8:30pm the (Acropora) corals were spawning. We were very successful at catching the coral eggs in the net and placing them in to the jar. By about 10pm we had finished, as had the spawning. . .we were even skimming eggs off the surface of the water as there were so many. We put all of the eggs in to two buckets on the boat and took them back to the dive shop. We aerated the buckets and we have changed the water once.
I personally am very pleased with the results. Adam - 4 March 2010
 Today we successfully set up a sediment trap and coral nursery for Chalok Baan Kao. . .I think we had a productive day - we completed everything that we set out to do.
On another note, today was my last day of the conservation course. I am sad to be finishing and I hope that I've been slightly helpful. . .ut was great to meet everyone and I hope to see more of you again when I return. Jack - 26 February 2010
 Hallo! . . .will be here for nearly half a year in order to do some kind of internship for my studies "Coastal Zone Management." I'm here to learn more about the environment and how to improve and to help. . .This all would fit perfectly into my studies which is some mix of both marine biology and economic management aspects. I've already learned to dive here and it is great - the projects I saw until now are really improving.
One dive today at Ao Leak. . .Before that we prepared the "coral mushrooms" and the coral nursery on land. The coral nursery was placed underwater as well as 3 sedimentation traps. Christoph - Germany - 24 February 2010
We went to the Hin Fai Biorock and had an opportunity to find broken coral and tie it on. . .helping to create an artificial coral environment. It was very interesting to see the progression of previous coral binded to the structure and to help add more. Sheila - 23 February 2010
I am very concerned with the rate at which our environment is changing and am here to witness some of the effects first hand. . .also looking to improve my diving and get better at species identification. I already love Koh Tao and the atmosphere of New Heaven. I'm sure that I will learn a lot and I hope that I can use it in the future to make decisions that will benefit the environment. Adam - Brighton, England - 23 February
 Today was a land day. We worked together with the land volunteers and some locals as well. . . constructed marker buoy lines to put out around the shallow reefs.
19 February 2010
Marine Biology has always fascinated me. Here I hope to learn more about it and do my part in the conservation process Jack - London, England I began diving last year and decided I would like to know more about marine life. I have been traveling. . .diving as much as possible. . .in the process I decided to do some conservation projects to learn as much as I can about the reef and the fishes, as it has always been a passion of mine. Above all, I want to have fun, enjoy my diving and slowly soak up as much as I can about the underwater environment. Sheila - Manchester, England 15 February 2010
 For the past few days our focus has been on the Buoyancy World Project. . .Saturday and Sunday morning I helped on land at the construction site to prepare the structures for deployment. . .in the afternoon a team of divers successfully unloaded all the structures into the water.
Yesterday and today we went to the Buoyancy World site to work on constructing the tree that New Heaven designed. The base was already finished. . .we managed to secure all the branches and add a few corals to grow into the canopy. Kelly - 10 February 2010
 Joined with several other dive schools from the island for a land and underwater clean up of Mae Haad!
Kelly - Washington DC, US - 30 January 2010
Today we went to the clam nursery with a great team. . .Chad, Andy and Dev. . .we have counted how many clams are in every cage. . .measured and dispose them better. This is also the last day of the program, I usually take wrong decisions but to come here was a great idea. For me this course was fantastic. I hope to have been useful for Chad and Dev and I want to tell great things of this program to my friends in Italy. Ciao a tutti!! Fausto - 29 January 2010
I recently finished a degree in Marine Biology and Oceanography. Heard about Chad and the amazing work he's doing through another diver. Had a lot of fun on the Ecological Diver course, wish I could do longer than 3 days but I will return in the furture to help in any way I can. Dale - Cornwall, UK - 26 January 2010
I usually dive where I live. . .so I wanted to try something different. I found the marine conservation program on the internet and decided to try. Today we went to the Hin Fai Biorock. I think I've done a good job except I didn't tie the rope of the slate very well so I lost it. . .All my work, lost forever like tears in the rain. . . Fausto - Italy - 19 January 2010
 Today we went to Ao Leuk to release giant clams. . .the clams in every cage were counted and seven were measured and released. . .The places chosen to put the giant clams were pieces of dead coral with depressions in them so he clams would have something to support their stability.
Lena - 23 October 2009
The time spent with Chad and Dev has been a real eye-opener. . .my fave part of the program was of course being underwater and seeing/identifying things that I couldn't before. . .I am certain now that Environmental Compliance is where I'd like to steer me career. . .Great program! Michi - 1 October 2009
 I am studying MBA and working in Compliance and Regulation. . .I think it could help me decide whether to go for a career change (into environmental compliance). . .Attendance at this mornings Buoyancy World Project opening ceremony was good insight into Thai culture as well as a good sign of the community interest/support. I'm confident New Heaven will give me what I need to know.
Michi - Sydney, Australia - 22 September 2009
Substrate survey at Tanote Bay. Really can see the negative impact of the reservoir on the reef. Really poor visibility and so much coral covered in sand. Also a distinct lack of fish and invert life relative to the other sites and relative to the description of what Tanote USED to be like. - Zach Wow. . .Doing a substrate survey here is interesting as you get a "then and now" view as you can see where the silt is destroying what was obviously a beautiful reef not long ago. - Ollie 7 September 2009
Just finished the four week conservation program - going home tomorrow. . .Am please to have started diving within this course. I think all divers should start off with at least some info on marine ecology. Especially on coral, which are considerably more interesting with just a bit of info. . .the course has made me a smarter/more considerate diver. My highlights are probably building a coral nursery and helping to place corals on the Hin Fai Biorock. . .I would highly recommend the course to seasoned and potential divers. Thanks New Heaven! Lyndon - 27 August 2009
I was looking for a chance to get PADI qualified whilst learning in an 'eco-concious' way. . .I'm pretty sure I found the right place to do that! Zach - 23 August 2009
 Boundary Rope Installation with DMCR. . .Ao Leuk (200m) and Hin Nyam (120m)
16 August 2009
First day here were did on EMP survey. . .I found this really fun and educating. On my second day we went to the Hin Fai Biorock and transplanted corals. . .really hope to do this again before I leave. I am really interested in all the work that Save Koh Tao is doing and hope to help. Katie - 12 August 2009
 I came to Koh Tao wanting to learn more about ecosystems and the biorock. I am a 3rd year marine science student and have found all the experience and information received fun and invaluable. The dive shop staff are helpful. I have really enjoyed working transporting corals to the biorock and learning how to perform EMP surveys.
Karl - August 2009
Today's been my last day here in Koh Tao but really wish it wasn't. . .Everyone at the dive shop is brilliant and I've made some really great friendships with the other volunteers too as well as becoming a diving addict...I've even got a tan for the first time thanks to my boat rides. . .I learnt everything I wanted to and more and can't wait now until I've got enough money to come back! Jodie -1 August 2009
I am a wildlife management student and came to Koh Tao as part of a 3-5 month practice training. Since most of my training has been about terrestiral eco-systems I started a 2-week EMP course to be able to conduct a small marine research project by the end of it. Enjoying it already. Lena - 27 July 2009
Last day on Koh Tao...Substrate survey at Hin Wong Bay - good fun and managed to get some decent data! Tried to attract a whale shark by mimicking the sounds of a fertile female but to no avail! My experience doing the marine conservation project has been eye-opening. I was supposed to be here two weeks, ended up staying three and wish I could stay more! It was really interesting to learn about what you are actually diving around - I found you learn to appreciate it more and just generally have a broader experience. I loved being able to identify the types of fish I saw, be able to understand what they are doing and the different environments they live in. . .I'm looking forward to coming back in a few years to see the changes in the Hin Fai Biorock and reservoir and hopefully help out some more! Jack - 24 July 2009
Hin Fai Dive. . .Fixed biorock where had been damaged by anchor. . .transported more corals back onto the Hin Fai Biorock. . .removed anchor from water. Caro - 15 July 2009
I want to be able to play an active role in conserving marine life whether it be on land or water and gaining a lot more knowledge on marine life as well as learning to dive. EMP (Environmental Monitoring Program) Surveys. . .Fish and Invertebrate - Chalok Baan Kao Jodie - 8 July 2009
Sai Nuan - Substrate Survey. . .Remembering all the codes is not easy but fun and a good way to learn to put a name on what we see. . .also a good way to see the changes in one place. . .they are building a bungalow on the rocks right above the sea. . I'm loving that course. . .Can't wait to carry on!!! Caro - 12 June 2009
 Tanote Reservoir. . .Planted grass in, check dams - drainage too. . .Also visited Chalok dive schools with sign up sheets for Big Project - Buoyancy World.
Amy - 11 June 2009
I live on Koh Tao since a few years. . .I'm a sea lover and scuba diving instructor. . .I also want to be able to teach (and fully understand) reef conservation course. . .I want to take that knowledge to other areas around the world and get my students, friends, family and anybody who cross my way to be more aware of the reef. . .Can't wait to learn more Caroline - Switzerland On Koh Tao for 4 years working as dive instructor. . .Same Same as "Caro". . .but I want to "Grow Up" to be like Chad. . .want to be able to pass on info, awareness and appreciation for the underwater world Peter - New Zealand 8 June 2009
I could bang on about how amazing the people are here and the place itself but I reckon I've just done it. . .conservation work is great - even the labouring in the hot sun. . .makes you feel like you've done something worth while. DM's here are great and really educate you well. . .overall I've generally learnt a lot, I've met some amazing people, got a lot of goof memories so I'll definitely be back. -Alex Wow, how do I follow such inspirational writing from Alex. . .Today was my last dive on Koh Tao and also with the New Heaven Conservation project (although I hope to be back) and it was also my favourite. . .managed to get our fish and coral nursery into place and I think it looked really good. . .Chad's experience and guidance certainly helped a lot! . .also really going to miss Chad's lectures in the morning, they really sparked an interest in me for the underwater world. I will also miss the sandwiches from Koppe, the pizza baguettes from Rasta Bar, riding about on the scooters, the marbled sea cucumbers, the pineapple from the captain, the warm water of the sea and people that make New Heaven a great place to be. - Tom 30 April 2009
I saw the project and was really keen to try something totally different...I also really like the approach - fun, conservation and relaxation in a beautiful place...already keen to return again next year.
Clean up dive, Aow Leuk...approx 10 baskets of rubbish. 22 April 2009
Coral nurseries Aow Leak. Built a new rope nursery, attached approx 35 corals...marked & measured 10 existing corals. Also measured width and length or 17 turtles.
Amy - 15 April 2009
First went to check the giant clams. . .decided to put rubble under the other cages. . .in order to get less sand in the cages. We finished the day by a visit to the turtles nursery. . .measured 8 of them and clean the algae flora. Tom, Amy, Cathryn, Chad, Bertrand and Lauriane - 12 Apirl 2009
Bertrand - France/New York City - 10 Aril 2009
 Been on Koh Tao just a few days and really enjoying it...now that I have found New Heaven anyways :) Today we were out of the water and took a truck into the jungle. Chad told us about the reservoir. . .unfortunately also how it was done with little care and planning. . .our job was to reinforce the dams with rocks and fallen branches. . .hopefully we had some positive impact.
Tom - United Kingdom - 9 April 2009
What an awesome program. . .what I've learnt here will stay with me always! What a great place to be a part of, you all made me smile. - Sarah Crammed loads into the 2 weeks, 16 dives. . .the work we did was very enjoyable and I felt everything we did was useful and actually made a difference. - Martin 3 April 2009
 I have gained a lot of knowledge and experience in my short time here and I certainly think I have achieved my goals. . .would love to come back and see how our coral nursery (that we manufactured!!) is getting on.
Giles - 1 April 2009
Went to the new Hin Fai Biorock. . .It's nice to know that our efforts will help the reef grow for future generations. Martin - 28 March 2009
I have joined the reef conservation course to learn more about what makes up the reef, what makes it 'tick' & most importantly how I can contribute to giving something back to the reef. -Giles - Somerset, England I joined the marine conservation with the intention of first, learning to dive and second, to discover how the whole reef and wildlife works together. . .if it all goes well maybe take it up as a career! - Martin - London, England I would like to think that I could help the amazing world under the sea and to pass on my information. . .so the impact is only ever positive in the future! - Sarah - London, England I discovered scuba diving in Koh Tao and I realized how much life is in danger. . .what I expect from the course is to learn a basic skills that can help me work and help people on my way. - Lauriane - Marseille, France 27 March 2009
Giant Clams arrived, 100 clams per cage. Amy - 19&20 March 2009
Amy - 3 March 2009
Since I got my diving certs I have developed an interest in the marine environments in which I dive, how they effect us and vice versa. Practiced deep substrate transect. . .fish and inverts survey. . .and water quality testing. Debbie - Sydney, Australia - 23 February 2009
I'm studying Integrated Coastal Zone Management in Leeuwarden, Netherlands...here to learn more about ways to conserve the marine environment. . .I'll be around Koh Tao for about 3 months and hope to get a little glimpse of what is done here, why and how. Today we have set up a midwater coral nursery. . .we collected pieces of coral that would otherwise die and attached them to ropes. . .once they are big enough they will be brought to another place around the bay of Chalok Baan Kao. Kai - Germany - 18 February 2009
I've learnt a LOT about ecology, coral reefs, fish and conservation techniques which will be very useful for my studies next year! Enjoyed every minute. . .would highly recommend this course to any biologist, any person interested in the coral reefs, any diver, and most of all, anyone who cares about the environment. . .I'll miss Koh Tao and everyone at New Heaven James - 6 February 2009
James - 23-25 January 2009
I can say only one thing: Every diver should do this course! - Frank All the best to Dev & Chad and their great Reef Conservation Program. - Vera 31 December 2008
Every time we do this clean-up it is unbelievable to see what people throw in the water. Old and famous cleanup in Chalok. . .we also did this last year in the 3-day course and we enjoyed it really much. - Vera 29 December 2008
Hard work underwater today: the structure was welded, looked fantastic. . .brought it over to the midwater nursery - Vera The fish seemed to like the nursery right away. - Katja 24 December 2008
I love to do this: saving coral! Pick up broken coral and put them on the bio-rock. Give them a chance to grow...very curious how the Hin Fai Biorock will be within 2 years. -Frank - 22 December 2008
Its sad to see something that could -Katja - 19 December 2008
This morning our metal arrived for our project, a fish nursery, which also provides a place for coral to grow on eaisily. Great fun to bend and cut the metal and wire it up. -Vera I'm really excited about coming up with something that will help attract more fish to the reef.-Katja That is hard work, bending and connecting all the metal is not easy. We hope it will work out and a lot fishes will find a new home. great fun to do a project like this!-Frank 18 Dec 2008
Katja- London - 17 Dec 2008
Today we got a lot of information about coral; where it lives, why it dies, and how to restore it. In the afternoon we did the EMP survey. . .its good to do more than just watching fish and a great way to learn to recoginze fish and coral. Frank - 16 Dec 2008
-Vera- Netherlands -15 Dec 2008
-Frank- Netherlands - 15 Dec 2008 |
