Mooring Buoy Station (035-U) near Kurayn Island

1. Survey & Inspection of Monitoring of Mooring Buoys in Karan and Kurayn Islands on 19 October 2009 • The mooring buoy monitoring team composed of Nasser Cali, Reynaldo Lindo, Macario Lopez, Abdulsali Saji, and Husain Osaif went to the islands of Kurayn and Karan purposely to monitor the status of mooring buoys installed in the islands in last May 2008. Two (2) boats (UPM 1 and UPM 10) were used for this purpose. • In Kurayn Island, there were two (2) mooring buoys installed last May 2008. During the inspection, no mooring buoys found around the island. Underwater diving conducted in one of the mooring stations (035-U). The rope was found attached to the U-type mooring system in good condition but the buoy at the surface was missing (deliberately cut by human being). • In Karan Island, there were eight (8) mooring buoys installed last May 2008. During inspection and underwater survey, six (6) mooring buoys were found in good mooring condition which need maintenance. Two (2) mooring buoys were lost. Two (2) biologists/SCUBA divers dove in one of the locations of the lost buoy to check the status of the mooring system and found out that the system is in good condition (see photo) with the cut end of the rope still attached. • Attached are some pictures of the mooring buoys inspection in Kurayn and Karan Islands.

2. This is the view of KURAYN Island with its white sandy beach. This photo was taken at around 11 o’clock in the morning on 19 October 2009. The island is inhabited by sea birds and other wildlife.

3. One (1) SCUBA diver was pointing to the U-type mooring system fixed in the bottom near Kurayn Island.

4. Mooring Buoy Station (035-U) near Kurayn Island Diver inspected and checked the conditions of one of the mooring stations installed last May 2008. The mooring system (U-type) was in good condition with the rope still attached. However, the buoy at the surface was cut and removed.

5. Kurayn Island – SCUBA diver followed the rope attached to the mooring system going to the other end where the buoy was attached.

6. Kurayn Island - The end of same rope where mooring buoy was attached from at surface was cut and it was resting at 7 m bottom.

7. Kurayn Island – SCUBA diver was holding the other end of the rope where the buoy was attached. It seems that the rope was cut by sharp knife at the surface for unknown reasons.

8. Kurayn Island with its healthy Table coral Acropora sp. Mooring buoy was installed to protect this reef from anchor damage and destruction.

9. Kurayn Island - When diving in Kurayn Island, you will notice the healthy association of corals and reef fishes. The mooring buoy will definitely minimize and protect them from anchor damage or destruction.

10. Karan Island This is one of the existing mooring buoys at station 042-MR near Karan Island. The Staff inspected the condition of the rope and the attached buoy. Buoy is in good condition and serves the purpose for mooring the boats.

11. Karan Island Mooring buoy at station 041-MR (Manta Ray Mooring System) at Karan Island.

12. Karan Island Mooring buoy at station 026-U (U-Type Mooring System) at Karan Island. On top of the buoy are excretion of marine birds. Marine birds used this buoy as a resting place.

13. Karan Island This is at station 027-U (U-Type Mooring System) near Karan Island where the mooring buoy disappeared. During our underwater dive, we found the mooring system in good condition and strong enough to hold mooring boat at the surface.

14. Karan Island - This is the rope that was attached to the buoy from the surface at station 027-U.

15. Karan Island – SCUBA diver holds the other end of the rope that was attached to buoy at the surface (now cut and detached).

16. Karan Island - To our surprise, we noticed a loop (formed intentional) by unknown individual at this point of the rope, after cutting the buoy (in station 027-U).

17. Karan Island - We secured the rope and tied it to the mooring system just in case for future use.

18. Karan Island This is one of the dive sites in Karan Island where you can observe good corals like this Table Acropora sp. and some reef fishes. The mooring buoy will help to protect these corals from anchor damage and destruction.

19. Karan Island After the dives and some works, the staff took their break for launch on board the UPM-1. The time is about 1 o’clock in the afternoon.

20. Ready to Leave the Island Rey Lindo and Mac Lopez after completing the survey & inspection in Karan and Kurayn Islands.

21. We are leaving the area Time is 1:30 pm. Nasser Cali and Husain Osaif onboard the UPM-1.

22. Karan Island This is Karan Island in the afternoon time about 1:15 pm, and the staff started to move on to Abu Ali Island.

23. Table 1. Status of the Mooring Buoys installed in Karan and Kurayn Islands on May 2008

24. CONCLUSION • In Kurayn Island, all the two (2) mooring buoys were missing (see table on slide number 24). • In Karan Island, six (6) existing mooring buoys are still in good mooring condition. Two (2) mooring buoys are missing. However, the mooring systems including the attached ropes are still intact for future use such as fixing a new buoy. • Unknown people detached the buoys by cutting the rope intentionally. To our surprise in Karan Island, a loop was made at the end of the rope where the buoy was removed (See slide number 17). • It is recommended to have a quarterly maintenance service for the remaining buoys and mooring system. • It is necessary to give publicity about the importance and benefits of these mooring buoys to local fishermen and other fisher folks in the area.