Coral symbionts in diverse scleractinian coral species from Perhentian Island, Malaysia

A research paper titled “Molecular diversity and assemblages of coral symbionts (Symbiodiniaceae) in diverse scleractinian coral species” has been published in the journal Marine Environmental Research. This work was based on joint research led by Dr Po Teen Lim (Institute of Ocean and Earth Sciences, IOES) and Dr Haifeng Gu (Third Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, China, TIO).

The scleractinian coral-associated symbiotic algae Symbiodiniaceae plays an important role in bleaching tolerance and coral resilience. In this study, coral-associated Symbiodiniaceae communities of 14 reef sites of Perhentian and Redang Islands Marine Parks (Malaysia, South China Sea) were characterized using the high throughput next-generation amplicon sequencing on the ITS2 rDNA marker to inventory the Symbiodiniaceae diversity from a healthy tropical reef system and to generate a baseline for future studies. A total of 64 coral Symbiodiniaceae associations were characterized in 18 genera (10 families) of scleractinian corals using the SymPortal analytical framework. The results revealed the predominance of Symbiodiniaceae genera Cladocopium (average 82%) and Durusdinium (18%), while Symbiodinium, Breviolum, Fugacium, and Gerakladium were found as minor groups (<0.01%). A total of 19 and 13 Cladocopium and Durusdinium ITS2-type profiles were detected across the coral species, respectively. Symbiodiniaceae diversity and richness recorded in this study were higher when compared to other reefs in the proximity. With the increasing coral-Symbiodiniaceae associations archived, the database would provide a baseline to assess the changes of Symbiodiniaceae communities in the coral hosts and to explore the potential adaptive roles of this coral-algal association. This article can be accessed at
 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0141113622001519.
 

IOES and TIO Collaborators Publishes in SCI Tier 1 Journal on the conservation of sharks in China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Seas

Institute of Ocean and Earth Sciences (IOES) would like to congratulate our senior research fellow, Dr Kar-Hoe Loh and Dr Jianguo Du from the Third Institute of Oceanography (TIO), Ministry of Natural Resources, Xiamen China, along with scientists from Indonesia, and Thailand for publishing a research article related to Marine Ecosystem Ecology in the journal Frontiers in Marine Science.

This research was led by Dr Jianguo DU and has been conducted in collaboration with Universiti Malaya, Sam Ratulangi University, Chulalongkorn University, Shanghai Ocean University, Beijing Forestry University, Xiamen Key Laboratory of Marine Ecological Conservation and Restoration, and Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Ecological Conservation.

In the paper “Setting Conservation Priorities for Marine Sharks in China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Seas: What Are the Benefits of a 30% Conservation Target?”, the authors applied an ensemble species distribution model of five algorithms to investigate the diversity distribution patterns of 149 shark species in China and the ASEAN seas for the first time. The distribution pattern of shark species richness peaked on the continental shelves at 22–26°N, and a hotspot of shark diversity was identified around the Taiwan Strait. The spatial distribution of shark species in the nine orders and the 72 threatened shark species varied considerably. The existing marine protected area network only protects 2.1% of the ocean, 32.9% of the shark species, and 43.1% of the threatened species, highlighting a substantial conservation gap. Among the conservation priorities identified, the high conservation target scenario (30%) protects only 10%–15% more species than the low conservation target scenario (10%). However, under the high conservation target scenario, the conservation range of species tripled.

The article can be accessed at: https://www.frontiersin.org/.../fmars.2022.933291/full

IOES, KL

Pegawai Penyelidik IOES, En Affendi Yang Amri telah ditemuramah oleh Astro Awani berkaitan Hari Lautan Sedunia yang disambut pada hari ini, 8 Jun.

BMRS, IOES, Bachok

BMRS, IOES, Bachok

BMRS, IOES, Bachok

Lawatan daripada pihak UMCCED ke BMRS. Tujuan lawatan adalah untuk melihat kemudahan penginapan asrama untuk program Diploma Eksekutif yg ingin dijalankan di BMRS. Lawatan ini diketuai oleh Prof Madya Dr Zuraidah ( Timbalan Pengarah HEP) dan diiringi dengan Puan Nor Akidah ( Penolong Pengurus UMCCED), En. Wan Mohd Hanif (Eksekutif) dan Cik Nurhafizah (pembantu eksekutif). 

IOES, KL

Sesi Lawatan Makmal Penyelidikan oleh Y.A.B. Tan Sri Zarinah Anwar, Pengerusi, Lembaga Pengarah Universiti Malaya pada 8 Feb 2022

IOES, KL

Congratulations

Prof Dr Lim Phaik Eem and Assoc. Prof Dr Lim Po Teen for being conferred as Top Research Scientists Malaysia (TRSM) Award from the Academy of Sciences Malaysia (ASM).

Webinar

Seminar Room, BMRS

Lab Biosafety and Biosecurity Management Talk to interns and postgraduate students at BMRS by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Lim Po Teen, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Leaw Chui Pin dan Dr. Hii Kieng Soon

State Curriculum Center, Bachok, Kelantan 

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Lim Po Teen and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Leaw Chui Pin were invited to give an environmental awareness talk with the school teachers from the Malaysian Nature Society club (MNS). The event was organized by the State Curriculum center from Bachok, Kelantan.

Congratulations Miss Mok Man Ying and Miss Raveena Kumarasamy for their wonderful talk! 
More than 80 people attending the webinar and let's explore more about marine science in our next seminar series!

BMRS

Audit visit from the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH), Kelantan to BMRS.

BMRS

School visit by SMK Puteri Saadong Bachok to BMRS IOES UM today. 55 form 5 science stream students.

IOES, KL

BMRS

BMRS

BMRS

IOES, KL

IOES, KL

The 3rd South China Sea Conference 2019 (SCS2019): Sea, Science & Societies: Forging Alliances in Facing Global Environmental Change was held on 25-27 June 2019 at Grand Ballroom, Eastin Hotel, Kuala Lumpur. This conference is intended to serve as a platform for the exchange of information related to research activities in the South China Seas and to promote international cooperation among marine sicentists of the world.

The opening ceremony was officiated by Mdm Norsham Abdul Latip, Senior Under-secretary, Pollution Control Division representing Ministry of Energy, Science, Technology, Environment & Climate Change (MESTECC), Malaysia.

The ceremony also attended by Prof. Dr. Noorsaadah Abdul Rahman, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation), University of Malaya, representing The Vice-Chancellor, University of Malaya), Prof. Dr. Wei Zexun (Deputy Director General, First Institute of Oceanography, China), Prof. Dr. Dai Minhan (Director, State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, Xiamen University, China) & Prof. Dr. Sumiani Yusoff (Director of the Institute of Ocean and Earth Sciences, University of Malaya, and Chairperson of the South China Sea Conference 2019).

BMRS, Bachok

Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network East Asia Regional Workshop on Regional Data Analysis of Coral Reef Monitoring in East Asia Region was held on 19th-21st June 2019 at Bachok Marine Research Station (BMRS), Institute of Ocean and Earth Sciences (IOES), University of Malaya (UM), Bachok, Kelantan.

This workshop was organized by Ministry of the Environment, Japan, Japan Wildlife Research Center, Institute of Ocean and Earth Sciences (IOES), University of Malaya and Malaysian Society of Marine Sciences (MSMS). In partner with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for NOAA Coral Reef Watch Outreach Training.

Participated by 46 experts from 16 countries including GCRMN National Coordinators from East and Northeast Asian and Southeast Asian countries, Regional experts and invited guests from CRIOBE, NOAA, UMT, Marine Park and Resource Management Division, Department of Fisheries, Malaysia.

UM, KL

BMRS

KL

IOES, KL

BMRS

A total of 70 of SUKSIS members from University of Malaya have organised a camping program at BMRS.

BMRS

BMRS

Institute of Oceanography, Nha Trang, Vietnam

Assoc Prof Dr Siti Aisyah Alias as one of the panelist for Breakfast Forum at Our Ocean Conference 2018: Women Leaders Breaking Waves in Ocean Conservation held in Bali, Indonesia on 29-30 October 2018.

Panelists:
Women leaders from the Asia Pacific region incl. Q and A
• Ms.Agnetha Vave- Karamui, Chair, CTI-CFF Women Leaders Forum and Conservation Officer of the Solomon Islands’ Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management & Meteorology
• Dr. Siti Aisyah Alias, Deputy Director, National Antarctic Research Centre, University of Malaya and
• Ms. Siti Boy Naba Rahanyaan, Leader, Community Collaborative Enterprise from Kei Islands, Maluku Province and beneficiary of SEANET Project

IOES Booth at Ekspo Tani & Exspo Hijau, Kelantan 

IOES Management Team and delegates from First Institute of Oceanography were honoured to have meeting with Vice-Chancellor, University of Malaya, Datuk Ir. (Dr.) Abdul Rahim Hashim and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation), Prof Dr Noorsaadah Abd Rahman.

University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, Terengganu, Bachok Marine Research Station (BMRS), Bachok

IOES together with Fujian Institute of Oceanography, First Institute of Oceanography, China and Universiti Malaysia Terengganu has successfully organized a training course entitle "2018 Overseas Training Course on China-Malaysia Multidisciplinary Ocean Observation Technology" from 13th to 27th September 2018.

Prof Dr Rofina Yasmin Othman, Associate Vice Chancellor (Industry and Community Network), University of Malaya has officiating the opening ceremony on 13 Sept 2018 with presence of Prof Dr Li Tiegang, Director General, First Institute of Oceanography, China and Ms Ma Zhijie, Executive Deputy Director, Fujian Institute of Oceanography, China.

Exchange and Experience of Chinese Culture activities has been conducted in collaboration with Kongzi Institute, University of Malaya on 14 Sept 2018.

Several lectures has been conducted from 15-18 Sept 2018 which covers

i. Ocean Physical Observation Techniques and Methods
ii. Ocean Microplastics Observation and Analyses
iii. Ocean Geological Observation Techniques and Methods
iv. Ocean Biological Observation Techniques and Methods

On 20-21 Sept 2018, the participants went to Kuala Terengganu for field trip - Visit Terengganu State Museum, Practice - Take Vessel to Collect Samples, Lecture - Comprehensive Observation of Ocean Environment and Lecture - Ocean Dynamical Environment and Sea Surface Meteorological Observation.

On 22-24 Sept 2018, the participants went to Bachok Marine Research Station, IOES, UM to attend lecture and practices:

i. Lecture - Overview of Harmful Algal Bloom Research
ii. Practice - Techniques in Environmental Samples Collection and Preservation; Obtaining Environmental DNA for Metagenomics Analysis; Gene Amplification of Environmental DNA; Metagenomics Data Analysis
iii. Practice - Marine Debris Monitoring and Assessment
iv. Practice - Data Collection and Analysis on Marine Debris

Congratulations Prof Phang Siew Moi & her team!!!

Professor Dr Phang Siew Moi, Assoc Prof Dr Vengadesh Periasamy (LDMRC, Physic Department); Dr Ng Fong Lee, Miss Thong Cheng Han, Mr Chong Kian Ted (IOES); Dr Adrian Fisher, Dr Kamran Yunus & Dr Arely Gonzalez-Aravena (University of Cambridge) won 3 awards from Project "Algae-biophotovoltaic (BPV) devices for generation of bioelectricity" at Expo on University Research Invention, Creation and Innovation, 14-16 August 2018

1. Professional Special Award
2. Outstanding Professional Award
3. Gold Medal for Category C (Professionals/Industry, Educators, Postgraduate, Societies & Government and Private Institutions)

IOES, KL and BMRS, Bachok

BMRS

Congratulations to Mr Mohamad Nor Azzimi Sohedein, IOES master student for wining the 1st Prize of Poster Presentation (Agri & Aquaculture) at the International conference on Benefits Microbes 2018; for the project entitled Biomass & Lipid Production of Tropical Thraustrochytrids in Bioreactor led by Dr Hui Yin Yeong, Dr Wan Qadr & Prof Phang Siew Moi. 

Congratulations IOES team!

Dewan Besar, SMKTAD

IOES, KL

Best Poster Award (Student Competition)

Congratulations to Mr Heng Wei Khang, IOES Master student supervised by Dr Jillian Ooi and Dr Mohammed Rizman Idid!

Best Poster Award (Student Competition), 4th Asia Pacific Coral Reef Symposium, Cebu, Philippines, 4-8 June 2018)
1. Heng Wei Khang (poster title: Strategic or Opportunistic? – Subtidal Seagrass Use by Dugongs in the Sibu-Tinggi Archipelago, Johor, Malaysia)

Bachok Marine Research Station (BMRS), Bachok

A regional training course (TC) on HAB monitoring and studies for the Southeast Asian members was successfully accomplished from July 8-14, 2018. The TC took place at Bachok Marine Research Station (BMRS), Institute of Ocean and Earth Sciences (IOES), University of Malaya (UM), Kelantan, Malaysia. The training course was jointly organized by SEAFDEC-Marine Fisheries Research Department (MFRD), Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA), IOES, UM and IOC/WESTPAC-HAB (Harmful Algal Bloom) Program. This is part of the continual effort from SEAFDEC/MFRD on capacity building for HABs monitoring and studies in the region. Twenty-one officers attended the course from 10 Southeast Asian countries: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand, Singapore and Vietnam. This marked the second TC of a series of training courses by SEAFDEC-MFRD.

The training course was structured around two objectives:
-    Equip relevant fisheries personnel with knowledge required to implement a systematic monitoring program in harmful algal blooms (HABs),
-    Enhance human capital in dealing with HAB monitoring in the Southeast Asian countries.

The 7-days training course was divided into two sessions, of which, first part focused on “Techniques in Culturing and Maintenance of HAB species”, and the second part focused on “Basic Techniques in Molecular Characterization and Detection of HAB Species”.  
 

BMRS

BMRS

Klang Port

BMRS

IOES, KL

Perhentian Island

Bachok Marine Research Station (BMRS), Bachok

Bachok Marine Research Station (BMRS), Bachok

BMRS have organized a marine outreach program for 40 school student from Sekolah Rendah Datu' Hashim, Bachok. 

Bachok Marine Research Station (BMRS), Bachok

Prof. Dato' Dr. Mohamad Isa Abdul Majid (as the HICoE Panel), along with 3 MoHE staffs, Mr Chandran a/l Sundaraj, Mdm Arba'atun binti Mohd. Napiah and Mdm Aini Dayana binti Md. Ali has come to the Bachok Marine Research Station (BMRS) for the HICoE site Audit. Our DVC (R&I), Prof Noorsaadah also come to BMRS to support our IOES.

 Bachok Marine Research Station (BMRS), Bachok

The Prayer of Solat Hajat and Tahlil ceremony have been successfully held at BMRS on 04 April 2018. This ceremony has involved with the villagers from Kampung Sg. Rekang and IOES staffs.

Thank you to all the staffs who have made this ceremony success.

UMK-UM MoU Signing Ceremony: Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, Bachok

Visit trip: Bachok Marine Research Station (BMRS), Bachok

Our UM VC, Datuk Ir. (Dr.) Abdul Rahim Hashim has attended the UMK-UM (represented by IOES) MoU signing ceremony at UMK, Bachok. After the MoU signing ceremony, our VC have the chance to visit our Bachok Marine Research Station (BMRS) at Bachok.

Our DVC (R&I), Prof Dr. Noorsaadah and Assoc. VC (R& I), Prof Dr. Shaliza along with the Director of IOES, Prof Dr Phang and Deputy Director of IOES, Prof Dato Dr Azizan have visited the BMRS.