after a long break

i was really dissapointed that i had left this page for nearly a year. lot of things happen and it seems at one stage, i lost interest in writing again. this must change. writing is a good activity. it ignites your brain to think.

i already completed my degree in Biotechnology in IIUM. and now, i am on my way in pursuing my masters in bioscience in IIUM also. Plus, i got a chance to work under INOCEM IIUM, a research institute which focusing on oceanography and maritime studies.

little bit info about Department of Marine Park Malaysia

The department of Marine Park Malaysia, of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (NRE) was officially established on 16^th July 2007. Formerly known as the Marine Park section under the administration of Department of Fisheries, the section was later transferred to NRE. Marine Park Malaysia or MPM, as it is now commonly known, is responsible for managing the marine parks of Peninsular Malaysia.

Objectives:

• To conserve and protect the biological diversity of the marine community and its habitats.
• To upgrade and conserve the natural habitats of endangered aquatic species.
• To establish management zones for the conservation of aquatic flora and fauna.
• To establish zones of recreational use consistent with its carrying capacity.
• To manage and develop capacity building in public awareness programmes.

dinoflagellate

What are dinoflagellates?

Dinoflagellates are microscopic, (usually) unicellular, flagellated, often photosynthetic protists, commonly regarded as "algae" (Division Dinoflagellata). They are characterized by a transverse flagellum that encircles the body (often in a groove known as the cingulum) and a longitudinal flagellum oriented perpendicular to the transverse flagellum. This imparts a distinctive spiral to their swimming motion. Both flagella are inserted at the same point in the cell wall, by convention defining the ventral surface. This point is usually slightly depressed, and is termed the sulcus. In heterotrophic dinoflagellates (ones that eat other organisms), this is the point where a conical feeding structure, the peduncle, is projected in order to consume food.

Dinoflagellates possess a unique nuclear structure at some stage of their life cycle - a dinokaryotic nucleus (as opposed to eukaryotic or prokaryotic), in which the chromosomes are perminently condensed. The cell wall of many dinoflagellates is divided into plates of cellulose ("armor") within amphiesmal vesicles, known as a theca. These plates form a distinctive geometry/topology known as tabulation, which is the main means for classification.

Both heterotrophic (eat other organisms) and autotrophic (photosynthetic) dinoflagellates are known. Some are both. They form a significant part of primary planktonic production in both oceans and lakes. Most dinoflagellates go through moderately complex life cycles involving several steps, both sexual and asexual, motile and non-motile. Some species form cysts composed of sporopollenin (an organic polymer), and preserve as fossils. Often the tabulation of the cell wall is somehow expressed in the shape and/or ornamentation of the cyst.

Why bother?

Besides being important primary producers, and therefore an important part of the food chain, dinoflagellates are also known for producing nasty toxins, particularly when they occur in large numbers, called "red tides" because the cells are so abundant they make the water change colour. Besides being bad for a large range of marine life, red tides can also introduce non-fatal or fatal amounts of toxins into animals (particularly shellfish) that may be eaten by humans, who are also affected by the toxins. Many of these toxins are quite potent, and if not fatal, can still cause neurological and all sorts of other nasty effects. Add this to the rather ominous suspicion that red tides may be more common thanks to human inputs of phosphates and warmer global temperatures, and you can probably see why we have a vested interest in finding out more about them - both medical and economic.

source: http://www.geo.ucalgary.ca/~macrae/palynology/dinoflagellates/dinoflagellates.html

Oceanography

What?

Oceanography is the branch of Earth science that studies the ocean. It covers a wide range of topics, including marine organisms and ecosystem dynamics; ocean currents, waves, and geophysical fluid dynamics; plate tectonics and the geology of the sea floor; and fluxes of various chemical substances and physical properties within the ocean and across its boundaries.

Many people associate careers in oceanography as consisting of swimming with marine animals at a marine life park or snorkeling in crystal-clear tropical waters studying coral reefs. In reality, these kinds of jobs are extremely rare and there is intense competition for the few jobs that do exist. Most oceanographers work in fields that use science to solve a particular problem in the ocean. Some examples include:

What is the role of the ocean in limiting climate change?
What kinds of pharmaceuticals can be found naturally in marine organisms?
How does sea-floor spreading relate to the movement of tectonic plates?
What economic deposits are there on the sea floor?
Can rogue waves be predicted?
What is the role of longshore transport in the distribution of sand on the beach?
How does a particular pollutant affect organisms in the marine environment?

Job Duties of Oceanographers

• Geological oceanographers and geophysicists
• Physical oceanographers
• Chemical oceanographers and marine geochemists
• Biological oceanographers, marine biologists, and fisheries scientists
• Marine and ocean engineers
• Marine archaeologists
  

"Blup2 Conservation: Towards Better Ocean for Tomorrow"

Industrial Training

Pulau Perhentian Marine Park, Terengganu