HOPE FOR OUR CORAL REEF ECOSYSTEM

This year, our team conducted monthly reef rehabilitation monitoring and maintenance of the previously installed artificial structures at Pulau Sibu and Pulau Besar. The results have been encouraging, as the transplanted corals successfully attached to the structures. Additionally, we have observed an increase in reef fishes around structures, indicating that the rehabilitation site is beginning to provide shelter and habitat for other marine life. We hope this initiative will contribute to the recovery of damaged reefs in the Mersing islands and, over time, provide essential ecosystem services for marine life and the local community.

MERSING INTERNATIONAL CONSERVATION DAY 2024

The Mersing International Conservation Day 2024 was co-organised by Mersing District Council, Tengah Island Conservation, and Mersing Tourism Association under the Sustainable Travel Mersing initiatives. 10 local agencies including RCM and organisations came together to showcase their various environmental conservation and sustainability efforts as well as local tourism products in Mersing. Activities included wildlife sample displays, booth games and environmental awareness talks. Over 400 people visited and participated in the event, which demonstrated interest among the locals and tourists to know more about the environmental efforts conducted in Mersing and its significance towards the local tourism industries.

ENGAGING STUDENTS THROUGH OUTREACH PROGRAMS

In the last quarter of 2024, we organised four awareness programs with 77 students and teachers from four local primary schools. The program, which included outdoor and indoor games integrated with environmental conservation values, aimed to enhance local student’s understanding of the importance of protecting the marine ecosystem and how recycling can help reduce the threats of plastic pollution towards the marine environment.

Our team was also invited to conduct five awareness talks on the coral reef ecosystem under the Pendidik Ekosistem dan Alam Sekitar (PEDAS) initiatives. The PEDAS initiative is an environmental education program conducted in collaboration with the Mersing District Council, Mersing District Education Office, Department of Fisheries, Tengah Island Conservation, Trash Hero Mersing, Reef Check Malaysia, and The MareCet Research Organization. A total of 292 students and teachers from five local primary schools participated in the program.

IMPROVING MERSING ISLAND WASTE MANAGEMENT FACILITIES

The Pulau Tinggi community recycling programme was initiated last year with the support and participation of the local community. To improve the island’s waste management system and encourage more sustainable practices, we have built the Pulau Tinggi community recycling centre. This facility serves as a temporary storage area for collected recycling materials.

Besides Pulau Tinggi, improvements have also been made to the Pulau Sibu community recycling centre. With the support volunteers from the Johor State Education Department, the recycling centre now has a new and fresher look. We hope these enhancements will encourage visitors, local community and tourists to explore the facility and gain a deeper understanding of the recycling initiatives in the Mersing islands.