This year's monsoon season has brought great challenges to the marine ecosystem: large waves, heavy rain, and strong winds have caused coastal erosion and swept several trees into the sea. RCM together with the TMCG successfully removed three trees that had drifted into the sea, narrowly missing our coral reef rehabilitation site. The team also removed ghost nets stuck on the reefs.
This did not stop the team from moving forward with all our planned programs for this quarter…
Rehabilitating coral reefs
Members of the Tioman Marine Conservation Group (TMCG) have been carrying out regular clean-ups and monitoring at our reef rehabilitation sites to ensure its growth and health are maintained. This quarter, we also resumed coral replanting efforts, following the withdrawal of the memo on the prohibition of physical contact with corals by the Fisheries Department. To date, 35 coral blocks with 210 coral fragments have been deployed. Healthy coral reefs provide habitat for a variety of marine species while playing an important role in stabilizing marine ecosystems and protecting coastlines from erosion.
Some of the coral blocks with coral fragments
IMPROVING CORAL REEF RESILIENCE WITH loCAL COMMUNITy
Following the coral bleaching incident last year, we recently conducted a bleaching exercise with the residents of Kampung Tekek, Genting, and Salang. The exercise aimed to assess the level of coral bleaching and support the implementation of more effective management measures in efforts to conserve marine ecosystems. By understanding coral resilience, the community can help protect marine resources, which are vital to their livelihood. Through collaboration and active community involvement, we can increase coral reef resilience against climate change and human impact.
Sabah COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERSHIP CAMP (CELC)
In February, two members of the Tioman Marine Conservation Group (TMCG) participated in the Sabah Community Environmental Leadership Camp (CELC) held in Semporna, Sabah. The program was organized by Green Semporna and brought together 18 environmental conservation organizations. With the theme "Resilient Communities & Ecosystems – Climate Change Adaptation," the camp aimed to empower communities in addressing the challenges of climate change and strengthening ecosystem resilience.
Participants were exposed to various knowledge and skills, including, Resource Mapping & Community Project Statistics, Climate Crisis: Adaptation & Mitigation, Grant Writing & Climate Action Day Project Management. The knowledge and experience gained will be shared with the local community in Tioman to raise awareness and further strengthen marine conservation initiatives.
A TMCG member presenting about their work on Tioman
ANNUAL SURF FESTIVAL
In February, Reef Check Malaysia collaborated with the Tioman Surfing Association to open a conservation booth in conjunction with the surfing event in Juara Village. Our aim was to inform the local community and visitors about the importance of marine conservation. We conducted several activities, including interactive games and the distribution of leaflets to provide information about threats to the sea and conservation measures that can be taken.
Ella from RCM Tioman speaking to a visitor at the booth