In the last 3 months of 2023, our colleagues successfully removed ghost nets from the coral reefs at Bahara Island, with a weight of 300kg. Throughout 2023, we’ve received numerous complaints regarding these nets entangled in the reefs of Tioman. The total weight of the nets we’ve retrieved from the sea in 2023 is 6,191 kg. The cleanup of these ghost nets are usually carried out in collaboration with TMCG members, local villagers, and scuba diving shops.

Besides clearing ghost nets, our team has also been carrying out Crown of Thorns (COTs) population monitoring and control activities in Air Batang and Teluk Tedau together with TMCG members and Tioman residents. A total of 1, 498 animals were euthanized in 2023. This is done to ensure the reefs of Tioman do not suffer due to the predatory nature of COTs.

Divers removing ghost nets stuck to reefs

Injecting COTs to before removing them from reefs

Our team also carried out 4 environmental awareness programs in schools on Tioman, bringing the total number of awareness programs conducted throughout the year to 14. The sessions encompassed indoor learning and visits to various habitats and ecosystems. Our Tioman colleagues also had the pleasure of sharing about the work we do to a group of students from the International School Kuala Lumpur (ISKL). The students were brought for a visit to Rumah Hijau, and helped with the recycling of glass bottles to build reef rehabilitation structures. They also had the opportunity to carry out a beach cleaning activity and make batik designs with a local batik maker.