Coral Reef Conservation Expedition |
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Koh Tao |
The expedition is organized for students who have a strong interest in coral reef conservation, scuba diving, ecotourism, and research. The project's approach is interdisciplinary: Team members receive training in coral reef survey methods and scuba diving as well as in socio-economic analysis. While the program involves extensive scuba diving no previous experience is required; all required skills are taught during the expedition. Advanced divers have the opportunity to earn higher level PADI certifications up to the professional rating of a Divemaster. Three days are dedicated to the exploration of the cultural highlights of Bangkok.
Location: After exploring the cultural highlights of Bangkok for three days, we will take the bus and ferry south. The tropical island of Koh Tao off the East coast of Thailand is the headquarters for our expedition. Due to the beauty of its reefs, the abundance of marine life and the ideal diving conditions, the island became the major center for scuba diving in South East Asia. The island itself provides for a low key, laid back atmosphere for visitors as well as a developed infrastructure, such as internet etc. Most of our work will be on the reefs immediately surrounding Koh Tao. In addition, we will take several trips (approx 1 hr boat trip) to the pristine sites of South West Pinnacle and Chumphon Pinnacle. Both Pinnacles are of unspoiled, breathtaking beauty and are among the world’s top dive sites. At Chumphon we regularly dive with sharks in their natural environment (no detrimental shark feeding!), and sometimes we even encounter wale sharks. We are also planning an overnight trip to Mu Ko Ang Thong National Park to do a survey of the protected reefs in the Marine Park (6 hr boat ride, conditions permitting).
Objectives: expedition members will
- study coral reef ecology,
- acquire advanced scuba diving skills,
- learn how to conduct coral reef surveys using the REEF CHECK protocol,
- conduct coral reef surveys and assess the human impact on the reef,
- supply data on the condition of the coral reefs to REEF CHECK’s global data base,
- study the socio-economic situation on the island
- correlate the socio-economic situation to the reef survey outcomes into a comprehensive case study of sustainable development and ecotourism
- provide valuable guidance for local sustainable development, ecotourism and reef conservation initiatives.
The goals: In 2007 our team conducted the first REEF CHECK survey ever on Koh Tao in Mango Bay and laid the ground work for future expeditions. The 2008 expedition collected data for several reefs surrounding the island in order to create a comprehensive picture of the overall condition of the reefs. 2009 we will continue this important work and participate in the Bio Rock reef conservation project. Furthermore, we will try to implement a water quality monitoring program. If conditions allow, we might also start a shark photo ID project, as there is major confusion on Koh Tao on the classification of the sharks at Chumphon Pinnacle.
The challenge: The reefs surrounding Koh Tao are still beautiful; however repeat visitors can tell the toll the amount of divers and the development on the island take on the marine environment immediately surrounding the island. Unfortunately, the idea of “ecotourism” has not yet reached the island. The main scuba training site receives up to 100 divers per day during the high season; other sites receive approx. 30 visitors per day. More remote reefs are still unspoiled (Sail Rock, Chumphon, South West Pinnacle). Koh Tao itself is suffering from a lack of a Marine Park which would implement reef conservation efforts and coordinate various local sustainability initiatives. The local dive industry and dive shop owners are worried that a Marine Park and reef conservation policies would restrict the number of divers on the dive sites and consequently limit their income opportunities. They do not yet understand that only a well preserved coral reef and sustainable development will provide them with a long term economic base. Consequently, locals are very suspicious of any conservation efforts. At times, this mistrust makes our work more difficult than necessary. We will try to implement a seed for future ecotourism.
Typical daily schedule:
- Two dives, either for training, or survey purposes, and sometimes just fun diving (approx. 4 hrs incl. preparations, briefing, boat ride, surface interval, etc.)
- 2 hours of “dry” activities, such as theory lessons, seminars, survey analysis, etc
In our free time, we can
get a Thai massage (8 USD/1 hr)
eat Thai food (2-4 USD/meal)
learn Thai cooking
learn Thai boxing
learn Yoga or meditation
relax on the beach
socialize with divers from all over the world
Koh Tao not only provides excellent diving. It is home to a vibrant community of divers from all over the world. The atmosphere is laid back and the island provides for excellent infrastructure, such as internet, shopping etc.
Eligibility: Students in all disciplines are eligible (undergraduate, graduate, and recent graduates). Minimum age is 18. Basic swimming skills are required. Scuba diving skills are not required as we provide all instruction during the expedition. However, all participants are required to provide the standard PADI health information form and a statement from their physician that they “are fit for scuba diving” (please see details on the application form). We only provide scuba instruction and certification according to PADI standards; PADI is biggest scuba training organization globally. Participants who hold certifications from other training organizations can easily cross over to more advanced PADI training levels. Participants who wish to receive Divemaster training might have to arrive 1-2 weeks early (please contact us for details).
We are putting together a small team of highly motivated students who can work well in a team, and who each takes on tasks independently. Furthermore, participation in the expedition requires a high level of flexibility as things on Koh Tao do not always run the way we are used to at home.
The expedition provides students with valuable research experience and contributes to much needed global and local reef conservation efforts. Course credit is not provided but can be arranged.
REEF CHECK has developed its survey method on grants from the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) and the World Bank. The grants’ objectives are the creation of a global data base to monitor the conditions of the world’s coral reefs. This database facilitates global coral reef monitoring and contributes to world-wide reef conservation efforts. More than 4200 REEF CHECK surveys have been carried out in 82 countries.
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Expedition cost: $ 3500.00, including unlimited scuba diving (typically 2 dives/day), all scuba and survey training, 2 levels of PADI scuba certification, REEF CHECK survey certification, all scuba gear and survey equipment, domestic transportation (bus, boat), all accommodation (basic but clean, shared occupancy, private bathroom, no a/c but fan, cold shower only as we are in the tropics), travel insurance, scuba diving insurance, 3 days excursions and tours in Bangkok.
Not included are international airfare (approx. $ 1500.00 from the US) and personal expenses such as meals, passport, vaccinations, souvenirs, internet, phone calls home etc.
Limited, need-based scholarships are available.
Expedition Leader: Dr. Philipp Tavakoli. Philipp teaches Environmental Ethics and EcoRealism at NC State University. He is a PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer and Reef Check trainer.
Please contact us with any questions at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
REEF CHECK http://www.reefcheck.org/
Koh Tao http://www.kohtao.com , http://www.kohtao.co.uk/beaches.html
PADI http://www.padi.com/
Are you ready to join the team? Apply at the "Apply" tab at the top of the page.
