Learn to dive. Swim with sharks. Protect the reefs. Come volunteer in Malaysia and be part of something that matters

Blue Temple Conservation

www.bluetemple.co.uk

Concept

“People protect what they love”Jacques

CousteauAt Blue Temple Conservation, we have an underlying love of the environment, and specifically the marine environment. We have an understanding that people

need to value and care about the environment for their behaviour to change.

We practice a 'Conservation through Research' approach that allows us to raise important issues that can be backed up by real, scientific data. With our team of

International and local researchers and volunteers we are well placed to develop long term management plans

Working towards creating sustainable, symbiotic relationships between the local community and the environment.

Neil Hinds is a qualified Environmental Conservationist and scuba-diving

instructor. He’s leading PhD research on the island and cooks a mean stir-

fry.

Sabina Gramaglia is a suntanned Italian who’s passionate about environmental conservation as well as being a superb

diving instructor

The Team

Research

Blue Temple research covers a range of topics that when combined provide the basis on which sound management

decisions can be made

Coral Reef Health Monitoring- coral, fish and invertebrate surveys to determine overall reef health

Snorkeller Impact- we know snorkellers break corals, but can we stop them with briefings?

Sedimentation- measuring the level of sedimentation on key reef sites

Shark Population- Reef sharks can be seen here, but how many? Are they decreasing?

SCUBA Diver Impact- Do divers impact the environment? How can we change their behaviour?

Tourist social surveys- Why do tourists visit Perhentian? What do they think of the environmental issues?

VolunteersVolunteers join the program from 2 – 12 weeks and are involved in a whole load of exciting activities and learning. Non-divers are given the PADI Open Water course with our full PADI instructors, whilst divers spend their first week training for surveys and learning the methods. Weeks 2 onwards see volunteers fully involved in our research and data collection.

The accommodation is in the middle of the local village and allows total immersion in the culture, often spending a lot of time playing with local children, teaching English and environmental topics.

The project relies on volunteers, without them we haven't got the resources to complete our research and data collection. Their funds and manpower provide the basis for everything we do. As past volunteers ourselves, we know what volunteers look for in a project, but also know how to get the most out of our volunteers. The only thing we ask from our volunteers is to come with open minds, enthusiasm and a desire to make a difference.

Explore. Dream. Discover.

At a Glance

PartnersSelling Agent Conservation

We work with different agents that help us to

advertise and market the project to a wider,

international audience.

Due to our reliance on volunteers, we seek out relevant and like minded

partners to assist in selling

As a selling agent, our partners get benefits of

reduced selling prices and the opportunity to advertise

marine conservation in Malaysia

Conservation is our main aim, changing human

perspective and behaviour whilst learning as much as

we can about natural processes.

We are constantly seeking partnerships with

universities, NGOs, professionals and grant-

makers who can contribute positively to our cause.

We are able to offer unique opportunities to students

and researchers as well as data sharing and research

collaborations.

Equipment Testing and Review

Through our research and work we use a variety of

different types of equipment, from scuba gear to cameras,

computer software and scientific data collection

equipment.

As an equipment partner, we offer to provide reviews,

tests and advertising for all equipment provided with all

equipment used within research as well as cite all equipment in reports and

publications.

Current ProjectOur current project base is on Pulau Perhentian, approximately 10 nautical miles off the

North East coast of Peninsula Malaysia. A tropical paradise with white sandy beaches and turquoise waters full of a huge range of biodiversity.

Since the start of 2014, Blue Temple have been working with international volunteers and the local community to conduct over 50 coral reef surveys. We have trained a team

of local boat drivers in both SCUBA and survey methods and have developed their knowledge and understanding of environmental issues. Our position within the

community has grown over time, with close relationships enabling us to push our work forward into 2015 and beyond.

Our research has been permitted by the Department of Marine Parks of Malaysia and we work within their guidelines to provide accurate and usable data that is reported

annually with recommendations for future management plans. The various research topics aim to provide as much data and information as possible that can be used to identify the key risks to the marine environment, and strategies to reduce threats.

Contact

@bluetemplediver

EMAIL

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

WEB

bluetempleconservation@gmail.com

neilhinds@bluetemple.co.uk

BlueTemple Conservation

Http://www.bluetemple.co.uk