Our Speaker was Stefan Stohler who shared with us his time with the Tropical Research and Conservation Center.
Learn more at tracc.org
TRACC: “Saving the ocean, one coral, one turtle and one shark at a time.”
Our guest speaker for our May 1 meeting was Stephan Stoler, an educator and conservationist from the Topical Research and Conservation Centre (TRACC) on Pom Pom Island in Malaysia. Stephan has been a volunteer and teacher at the Centre.
TRACC's overall mission is to protect turtles and restore reefs in the Celebes Sea. Their ongoing projects involve reef surveys, coral transplanting, turtle conservation, crown of thorn collection and community projects.
Volunteer divers can stay at TRACC for 2 to 12 weeks. In addition to diving in support of conservation projects, volunteers can take courses in marine science, PADI courses and divemaster internships.
Living conditions are simple on the island- TRACC is not a resort. Breakfasts are self-serve, and lunches and dinners are buffet style. Visiting Pom Pom is focused on learning, restoration, and improving the island.
Tuesdays through Saturdays are work days. There are typically two work dives and one leisure dive each day. Work dives support TRACC projects. Sunday is a recreational day with trips and fun dives. Monday is a dry day, focusing on land activities.
The cost of the two-week stay is 1300 Euro (about $1500). This includes unlimited diving and transfers from the airport. Longer stays are discounted, with a lower cost per day.
A vacation at TRACC is a unique opportunity to dive, participate in conservation projects, and connect with like minded divers.
For more information, go to the TRACC website: https://tracc.org/
-John McGinity
Vice President