Bye-Bye Bayan 2 Apr 2006
It was my first and last look at Terumbu Bayan. A pretty little patch reef, now buried and gone forever under a pile of sand and rocks, soon to be a billion-dollar generating petrochemical hub. Before my trip, there were already quite a few marine life relocation activities conducted, and numerous hard coral colonies were translocated. Went with RMBR on a salvage operation to retrieve as many specimens as we could for preservation.
Early morning at Terumbu Bayan
The video team ready to go
Sunrise over Terumbu Bayan, smack in the heart of petrol-land
The coral relocation team certainly did an efficient job
Jani and I came across a huge pile of Acropora rubble. Wonder where it came from?
Some critters that we saw:
A nice fat Glossodoris. Found out later that it secretes noxious chemicals!
Really cool flatworm
This ribbon eel gave us a good chase!
Now we know why they call it 'spring' tide...
Sorting specimens on board
Though it was fun to go out and catch stuff, I can't help but feel that it would have been so much nicer if all those animals could stay on safely in their watery homes, instead of being pickled in a museum. But I guess if the development would die-die go ahead, with no chance of a reprieve, it's better that we got the chance to preserve some of the marine life for future reference, instead of having everything buried and gone without a trace.
Early morning at Terumbu BayanThe video team ready to goSunrise over Terumbu Bayan, smack in the heart of petrol-landThe coral relocation team certainly did an efficient jobJani and I came across a huge pile of Acropora rubble. Wonder where it came from?Some critters that we saw:
A nice fat Glossodoris. Found out later that it secretes noxious chemicals!Really cool flatwormThis ribbon eel gave us a good chase!Now we know why they call it 'spring' tide...Sorting specimens on boardThough it was fun to go out and catch stuff, I can't help but feel that it would have been so much nicer if all those animals could stay on safely in their watery homes, instead of being pickled in a museum. But I guess if the development would die-die go ahead, with no chance of a reprieve, it's better that we got the chance to preserve some of the marine life for future reference, instead of having everything buried and gone without a trace.
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