annual Reef Check Surveys capture coral bleaching

Our colleagues were joined by EcoDivers from among the local community of Sibu Island as we kicked off our annual Reef Check surveys in the Mersing Islands. Additionally, with the support from the divers from Department of Fisheries Johor (DoF) and Tengah Island Conservation (TIC), we have completed 26 out of 36 surveys for the year. Unfortunately, just as in Tioman, we’ve also recorded an increasing number of sites facing coral bleaching, as a result of rising sea surface temperature. 

Reef Mapping to enhance coral reef management

Two reef mapping activities were carried out at Pulau Aur and Pulau Pemanggil to determine the coverage of coral reef areas in the Mersing islands. The findings of this mapping exercise will provide the team with a better understanding of how coral reefs are distributed throughout the islands and contribute towards an improved marine resource management in the future. We are very appreciative of the local island communities and AC Dayang Island Resort for sharing valuable local knowledge about the coral reefs surrounding these islands.

Recycling Our Way to Lesser Trash

Following a series of consultations with the community members of Pulau Aur and Pulau Pemanggil, we learned that most of the island residents are ready to initiate a community recycling programme on their respective islands, similar to the recycling programme that has been rolled-out in Pulau Sibu and Pulau Tinggi in the past two years.

In the last 6 months, more than 900kg of recyclables were collected from the Pulau Sibu Rumah Kitar Semula (RKS), all of which was sent to the recycling centre on mainland Mersing. These materials, collected from both Pulau Sibu and Pulau Tinggi, included plastic bottles, metal and aluminum cans, and glass bottles. We are very pleased and proud of the island communities’ commitment in ensuring that the recycling program is a success.