Hidden Sanctuary by Imran Ahmad.

Hidden Sanctuary was shot with conservation in mind. To highlight the importance of coral regeneration. Most time, we see articles, news of the best places to dive in the region. How pristine the natural environment is but the truth of the matter is, our reefs are in peril of eventually being completely wiped out. We have issues with over fishing, dynamite fishing, coral bleaching and more. Sadly mankind is the top contributing factor to the issues.

So what can we to make a difference? A project was spearheaded to attract the growth coral, started some 10 years ago by the owner of Sipadan Mabul Resort,

Mr Robert Lo. Even back then he saw the need of an artificial reef at his door step. It started as a simple reason to provide shelter where marine life could procreate and flourish .Structures made out of wood, concrete and various types of materials were used to attract this marine life. Unlike other artificial reef projects in the region that ran electricity through the structures, the reef in Mabul was allowed take it’s course naturally. What is great as well was to see that other neighboring resorts have adopted the idea of artificial reefs and have also dropped in similar structures in their house reef.

So what does it feels like diving in an artificial reef? Well it felt like a scene out of an IMAX movie. I’ve doved on some pretty stunning reefs in Asia and I must say for an artificial reef, the life on this one is most definitely sensory overload!. Upon stepping off the jetty into a mere 2 meters of water, I was swarmed by a gazillion anchovies schooling pass. These Silvery shimmers racing pass me as the occasional predator dives in for a quick bite. At the 5meters of water, purposed built structures lines up the start of the reef. All in strategic locations and built using  different types of materials. Sergeant majors were everywhere you looked and schools of garfish cruising by checking me out through my dome port, Sweet lips park themselves in perfect unison at cleaning station as hardworking cleaner shrimps attend to their clients. I also noticed Lionfishes setting up ambush for its early morning breakfast and catching their prey off guard with its lighting speed reflexes, now bearing in mind this is all happening within the first 10 mins of your dive and in just 8 meters of water!

Descending deeper towards the larger structures, the turquoise water starts to dim from the rays of sunlight being blocked out  by massive schools of jacks!  I’ve seen schools of jacks but NONE quite like this. It was so thick, and finning through it seemed endless. As the jacks create a tornado wall around you, it almost feels like you’re being engulfed into the belly of a deep dwelling monster. As my heart races from the adrenaline rush thinking that nothing absolutely could top off this frenzied ‘rush’ I was having, out of the corner of my eye, a single large presence approaches me., the resident giant groupers here seemingly  the size of dining tables moves stealthy towards me as it checks me out. The tinest of golden trevallies, cruises along side with this gentle giant making it a surreal photo op.

So this is how healthy this artificial reef is. What I want you to reiterate is that this is all unbelievably happening in the house reef. The concentration of marine life here is phenomenal!

For me, the best times to dive this reef would be very early in the morning. This is when the water is at its cleanest. The night dives were a very interesting experience too. Different sets of predator fills the reefs and using the available lights streaming through the water from the jetty, the lionfish hunt in packs. It’s like having to dodge an underwater mine as they hang in mid water waiting for prey to pass by.  You’ll see hermit crabs crawling along the ocean floor, moray eels sneaking around you trying to take little ‘cheeky’ snips at fingers probably thinking they were sausages.. I’m guessing. With all these activities happening, you’ll also witness an underwater array of disco lights as the strobes of the other photographers go off to signify their trigger happy session underwater.  I must say that SMART’s house reef is underwater photographers heaven. It’s got enough macro to wide angle opportunities for all.

Someone once asked what my biggest fear was. I replied ‘Our future generation not being able to enjoy the ocean, the way I did’.

What humankind has taken for granted and failed to realize is that we are bound to all other life forms that surrounds us in this one gigantic ecosystem. Protecting our ocean precious resources is essential to the survival of our own species.. With that said,

I hope you can support us by getting yourself a copy of the Hidden Sanctuary. Part of the proceeds collected from the sale of the books will be put back into the continuing effort to expand SMART”S artificial reef.

Copies of Hidden Sanctuary can be purchased at Sipadan Mabul Resort and  Mabul Water Bungalows www.sipadan mabulresort.com For more information, please contact mabul@po.jaring.my 

For more of my Underwater ART.

Portfolios:
http://www.flickr.com/escapeinc
http://jpgmag.com/people/Imppie

or Email me at imp@escapeinc.com.sg