Terney Pradeep Kumara - The Resident Marine Biologist Reports. December 01, 2005

BEFORE THE PROJECT
I’ve been conducting researching on coral reefs since year 2000. I mainly observe the coral distribution patterns; larval settlement patterns, coral diversity, threat levels, and I have also performed some coral transplants in order to restore coral reefs. Then, all of a sudden the Dec 26th incident (the tsunami) changed everything. Not only our research projects, but also our life patterns, our wishes, our future, our determinations, our attitudes, almost everything.
Rivers of aid flowed towards us, covering major areas such as food supply, water, electricity, transport, communication and all other infrastructures. This was ra tremendous relief to the affected people. I happened to work with most of these donors in their charity work. All focused and determined to do whatever possible to lessen the damage caused to the human lives.
As a marine biologist, I wanted to do something with nature. At the very beginning, I was able to participate in several reef and beach cleanups, which involved a number of dive operations. We were able to collect heaps of debris from the sea floor and bring them to the shore, then transport the debris to the proper dumpsites. But it was not enough to heal the natural surroundings. There still remains a lot to be collected and removed.
At the same time I wanted to help and uplift the living standards of poor fishermen who indeed needed help and backups. I was searching for all available sources to make my idea a reality. At one meeting in Colombo, Dr. Hiran Jayawardane from IOMAC (The Indian Ocean Marine Affaires Cooperation) asked me to meet a group coming to Sri Lanka for an underwater monument project and I accepted the invitation.
The REAL JOURNEY BEGINS
I met Francesca Koe and Jason Firmin in BMICH, Colombo with Dr. Hiran and some other officers from various institutes. At the meeting we briefly discussed the program and then Dr. Hiran asked me to take them over and go ahead with the project. Jason & Francesca asked me to meet them at the Turtle Point in Madiha, Matara on the following day. So I came to Matara and went searching for a place called ‘Turtle Point’ but could not locate any place called turtle point in Madiha and therefore went back to the university without any luck. But upon the same day, later that evening I went back to Madiha and asked everyone I met about ‘a couple of Americans’ who came to Madiha the day before. Finally, finally I was able to meet Francesca and then eventually Vlad and then Tom and then Bill. It was a short but very encouraging meeting!!
After that we met for several times and shared a lot during our meetings. Their expertise and philosophy really aligned perfectly with mine. I shared all of my knowledge and field experiences to help make the program a success. We discussed the present situation, the problems, advantages we have, the way to move forward. As far as I understood, I was able to give them a real picture of the situation here as a biologist and field researcher, which indeed helped a lot to alter their plans according to the local situation.
I was able to really get involved in the ScubaPOP! (see www.scubasf.com) program by translating, explaining theories to dive students, making links with the university, assisting with dive site selecting for the UW monument, and finally Underwater mapping. I know I have truly enjoyed working with such a smart and dedicated group. It really surprised me to learn so much in such a short time period. The Madiha fishermen - our dive students - also enjoy and benefit from my presence in the project. Each and everyday I have to give them many explanations to their questions. These questions are usually related to safe diving and their mode of life as fish collectors. Sometimes it was very hard for them to absorb, and very hard for me to explain some of the physics theories involved in diving, but there was no way to tell it to them except through examples. Then they realized what actually it was.
OUR FIELD VISITS
Diving with Francesca, Tom, Vlad, Phil and Christopher was very interesting and exciting. During the dive with Tom Yang, I observed all his movements, camera handling and his calm and quite behaviour under water. I have a lot to learn from him, especially underwater photography that I so much love to do. Underwater mapping was also good. Since it was a labour involved process we didn’t have any time to enjoy the underwater environment. Low visibility, underwater currents and high surge made that task more and more difficult.
I also still recall really funny moments during our dives. Once Vlad, Christopher and myself went to go mapping. We just dropped Vlad on the top of the site and within a matter of few seconds we saw Vlad was swimming very hard towards the anchor line. He couldn’t make it because of the high surge. Then we had to drag him onto the site again. It was hard for Vlad and even for me because I grabbed his hand during dragging. Finally we dove the site. I did transect while Christopher did the hammering to the iron bar to fix it on to the sand bottom. Suddenly I saw the head flew off from the sledge and Christopher was looking around looking for the detached head. I laughed so much and I nearly drowned! I knew that Christopher too had a good laugh at that time. Ha. Ha. Haaaa..!
The link we have established between this grass-roots project and the university, is an extremely important aspect of the work and truly one of the most critical aspects of what we have achieved so far. All has been laid properly for the collaboration. Both parties will benefit each other through it, getting more and more recognition and local expertise to the project and on the other hand, university will get personnel training and ultimately a university diving school, which was a dream of ours several months ago. We have prepared an excellent overview of the scope of the project for the university, and soon it will be on its way to get final approval.
We have identified myriad objectives abd areas of focus for the project. The first one was a socio-economic survey of the marine ornamental fish industry of the area. I prepared a questionnaire to collect data and Vlad volunteered to search for available data in the Madiha area. At the same time, I will work with other scientists at the university and we will look for the environmental impacts of the project, fish and coral recruitments onto the reef balls, extent of the fishing pressure to the monuments etc etc.
PROGRESS
Days pass by very quickly. Most of the fishermen have completed the open water diver course and they now are taking lessons for the advanced course. I translated a whole PADI final exam to Sinhalese. But unfortunately our students are still are complaining my unreadable handwriting! But I knew that Champike (the volunteer translator) was there, close at hand, to assist them. During the beginning of the advanced course, Brandon gave loads of first hand experience on the medical first aid, an initiative to the first aid medic and rescue diver course. Now the students have realized the enormous advantages they have ahead of them and the future they can enjoy through this project. It is a good sign for a secure future for project objectives.
Now we are about to complete the underwater mapping for the site. Vlad will come soon and the second part of the training will begin. Students are eagerly waiting for his return. I too will join the course from the rescue diver course. At the end of the first phase of the program, I will be a dive master. Ultimately I would like to become a dive instructor if the program environment allows me to go for it. I know I have the capacity and passion to achieve that daunting task.
The whole program started out of complete darkness. Nothing clear. But gradually the light of courage, dedication and wisdom has cleared the path. I know our group will go through it giving a wonderful future for the students and also to the Madiha village.
HEY YOU! FRANCESCA, JASON, TOM, PHIL, VLAD, CHRISTOPHER AND BRANDON
You are such a great group of people – some of the best I’ve ever met. I know your dedication to make this event a reality. We will always be proud to have you in our community and to work together with a professional group like you. We have become a single bunch, sweating for a single goal. Soon we’ll be able to leave a visible sign of courage for the world – this project is truly a good example of collective effort, great teamwork and dedication. As a single individual person, I’m really happy to become a partner and will always give all of my courage, and determination to all of you for the very best of the program.
Millions of regards,
Terney Pradeep Kumara
December 01, 2005