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 LANGAT, 14 September 2022: In collaboration with Reef Check Malaysia, 42 volunteers from Dialog Group Berhad collected 152kg of rubbish at Pantai Batu Laut in Tanjong Sepat, Selangor in under two hours in the morning of 10 September 2022

All sorts of discarded and washed-up litter were collected, such as cigarette butts and lighters, plastic bottles, food containers, face masks, clothes, and a metal drum and then quantified to be entered in the Clean Swell app to contribute towards a global coastal and ocean trash database.

The most common items collected were small pieces of broken plastic and styrofoam (<10cm in size) scattered all over the beach. Quantifying them for marine trash data input was challenging as it was akin to counting grains of rice.

Volunteers also keyed in data on DIALOG ESECO’s SisaLab app to organise the collection of recyclables to minimise what would end up in the landfill.
Julian Hyde, General Manager of Reef Check Malaysia, said: “As the national coordinator for the International Coastal Clean-up Day, this event with DIALOG is in line with our commitment to highlight the issue of marine debris, specifically plastic waste, which is a serious threat to marine ecosystems”.

“We hope to create awareness on how much plastic is discarded, but also how stubbornly it persists in our environment in small, degraded pieces which end up hidden among the vegetation or entangled in mangroves. We hope that participants will be more mindful of consumption and will take active steps in reducing and recycling waste”.

Other groups volunteering on the same morning included My Clean Beach with Boehringer Ingelheim and Standard Chartered Malaysia, with support from Majlis Perbandaran Kuala Langat.

Those interested to participate in beach clean events this month of September may contact Reef Check Malaysia at cleanup@reefcheck.org.my