Interactive Map Brings Insight into Malaysia’s Coral Reef Health

KUALA LUMPUR, 22 SEPTEMBER 2025 – An advanced interactive map compiling years of data on the health of Malaysia’s reefs from over 300 sites is now available on Reef Check Malaysia’s website.

The interactive map offers a comprehensive and dynamic view of reef conditions, specifically using data from the Reef Check survey methodology, which is widely recognized worldwide.

It provides a robust platform that visualizes data, displaying key indicators such as fish, invertebrates, and substrate data. The platform presents this information in an easy-to-understand format, helping users quickly identify areas of concern and track trends in reef health in Malaysia over the past five years.

The interactive map displays data on the health of Malaysia’s coral reefs.

The new platform was made possible through The APAC Digital Transformation Program by Infoxchange.

“This platform leverages the power of community involvement to gather extensive and diverse data sets. This approach democratizes data collection and encourages public participation, fostering a sense of ownership and responsibility towards reef conservation,” commented Theresa Ng, Chief Operating Officer of Reef Check Malaysia.

“The interactive map also provides timely updates on reef health indicators. This immediate access to current data allows stakeholders to make informed decisions quickly, enhancing the ability to respond to emerging threats,” Ng added.

The data was gathered using the Reef Check survey methodology

The platform is designed with an intuitive user interface and is accessible via Reef Check Malaysia’s website. This ensures that users of all technical backgrounds can easily navigate the map, and access relevant information.

Alongside the interactive map, Reef Check Malaysia has also introduced an educational modules page, designed for teachers, students, and passionate individuals to learn more about marine conservation.

“We invite everyone to explore the map and educational modules,” added Ng. “We hope this platform and modules will help facilitate informed decision-making, promote sustainable practices, and ultimately contribute to the preservation and restoration of coral reefs, safeguarding these vital ecosystems for future generations.”

For more information on Reef Check Malaysia, you may visit them on their website, Facebook and Instagram or contact them at hello@reefcheck.org.my.

KUALA LUMPUR (12 JUNE 2022): World Ocean Day is celebrated worldwide every 8 June 2022. For the people of Reef Check Malaysia, every day is ocean day as they work to sustainably manage coral reefs in Malaysia.

Reef Check Malaysia’s team are split across the islands in Mersing, Mantanani Island and Semporna in Sabah and Tioman Island in Pahang. Each team has been hard at work this World Ocean Day with involvement from the local communities too.

In conjunction with World Ocean Day, the team in Mersing conducted a beach cleanup at PantaiTeluk Cina, Pulau Sibu – a beach not easily accessible to villagers. As part of the #cleanseascampaign, 7 people were involved in the cleanup and a total of 447kg of trash were collected.Reef Check Malaysia was also invited to participate in a conservation activity in conjunction withWorld Coral Day on the 1st of June 2022.

7 volunteer divers from the Department of Fisheries and 1 representative from Reef Check Malaysia conducted maintenance activities at one of the coral replanting sites at Pulau Mentigi, Pulau Tinggi. Among the activities that took place were brushing off algae on the structures and removing barnacles.

Not forgetting the general public, the team at Mersing conducted a virtual zoom presentation for the Mersing community via Facebook Live through the Majlis Daerah Mersing’s Facebook account. The talk, “Kepelbagaian Ekosistem Marin diMersing – Tanggungjawab Bersama” was done in celebration of World Environment Day on 5 June 2022. A virtual tour of the island and eco-diving and talks on the importance of protecting the ecosystem and an introduction of the various ecosystems in Mersing was part of the presentation.

“It’s great to see that World Ocean Day is getting more recognised these days. People start topay more attention to issues we have and have joined hands in taking actions to save ourocean.” shared Nazirul Amin Azmi, Programme Manager of Cintai Mersing.

In Sabah, the team headed to Mabul Island for the Reef Check Ecodiver course with youthsfrom Mabul and Mantanani Island. This course was held in collaboration with Green Semporna, an environmental youth non-governmental organisation (NGO) based in Semporna

On another Sabah series of activities for World Oceans Day, the team also completed their annual Reef Check survey for Mabul and Kapalai Island with trained Eco Divers. Their dedicated volunteers also did underwater clean ups after finishing the surveys. This survey issupported by the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment of Sabah (KEPKAS).

Heading over to Tioman Island, the team held a beach cleanup and reef rehabilitation with MTG Capital Sdn Bhd. The ‘Reef Rehabilitation and Beach Cleanup’ campaign done on the 5th and 6th of June 2022 was done in conjunction with World Oceans Day. During the event, 15 people planted 100 corals and collected a total of 9 bags of trash, amounting to 70 kg of trash was collected.

Not wanting to miss out on the celebration, Reef Check Malaysia’s General Manager, Julian Hyde joined 140 people from Yayasan Sime Darby and Sime Darby group of companies at Pantai Kelanang for a cleanup for World Ocean Day. The group successfully collected 1,074 kgof trash all in a day’s work.

“We hope this effort will extend beyond the World Ocean Day celebration and that all stakeholders will continue working collaboratively in taking better care of our ocean.” added Nazirul.

For more information on the work that Reef Check Malaysia does, visit https://www.reefcheck.org.my/. Follow them on Facebook and Instagram to keep updated with their work.