Richard and Elvis found a bed of seagrass for the Glam Group while diving off Gaya Island right on the doorstep of Kota Kinabalu, not 10 minutes away by boat from here.
Further dives will be done to investigate more once the Glam Group arrives, including documenting what types of creatures are living in it and its general health.
Richard will also regularly visit from time to time to collect photography, fleshing out the Downbelow collection.
The Glam Group is a 30 strong group hosted by Downbelow for an 8 day diving trip in April.
All from a UK University, the members of the Glam Group study Marine Biology and one of their professors, a seagrass specialist, asked Richard to try and located seagrass, hence the excitement.
Seagrass is rarely found around the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park area nowadays, in fact, it’s generally very rare this close to cities due to its sensitivity to pollution, making it an unusual find anywhere around the world.
Many years ago there would have been much more of it in the TAR Park. The meadows provide a unique environment and food source for a wide range of creatures from seahorses to seacows (dugongs).
One of the largest areas of grass is in Shark Bay, WA, where it is home to the largest population of dugongs in the world.
Richard took a few shots and documented the marine life he encountered thriving there on this visit, but is sure to return for a more thorough investigation.
They also discovered a very abundant species of starfish that is very seldom seen in Tunku Abdul Rahman Park (other areas more common, we know).
If you want to discover Kota Kinabalu’s underwater riches for yourself, come diving with Downbelow.
Contact us today to join.
