[Seminar] A Brief Introduction to Borneo Marine Research Institute and Coral Reef Research in Sabah

Abstract:

Borneo Marine Research Institute (BMRI) is one of three research institutes in Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS). It is strategically located along the shoreline of Sepangar Bay, Kota Kinabalu, providing easy access to the sea and surrounding habitats. The institute conduct marine and aquaculture research and offer postgraduate degree programmes. Undergraduate teaching of two programmes, marine science and aquaculture is conducted on behalf of Faculty of Science and Natural Resource. Facilities in the institute includes fish and invertebrate hatcheries, marine aquarium and museum, as well as boathouse and jetty. The talk will cover the facilities in BMRI and research currently conducted in the institute, with focus on coral reef research. Approximately 75% of the coral reefs in Malaysia is in Sabah.  The reefs are facing multiple threats, such as destructive fishing methods, pollution and development. Previous expeditions and surveys provide information on biodiversity and coral reef status but there is still much yet to be studied. Some of the current research conducted in the institute is looking at diversity in coral reef areas, coral recruitment and spawning, and use of artificial reefs. The institute actively conduct public outreach and citizen science to increase public awareness, collaborating with private organisations and NGOs.

About The Speaker:

Muhammad Ali is a lecturer in Borneo Marine Research Institute in Universiti Malaysia Sabah.  He has taught undergraduates in the Marine Science and Aquaculture programmes since 2004. His interest lies in biodiversity and ecology of coastal ecosystems. He has had the opportunity to study the reefs of Sabah through participation in expeditions and contributed in the preparation of marine park management plans for Sabah Parks. He is currently pursuing his PhD, working on Porites cores from Marudu Bay, Sabah. He is in Singapore to interact and learn under the Temasek Foundation-NUS Master Trainer Programme.