Underwater Clean-up in Tunku Abdul Rahman Park

In conjunction with the 48th Anniversary of The Tunku Abdul Rahman Park, Reef Check Malaysia organised an underwater clean-up in the park area. This event was conducted together with Sabah Parks and Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment, Sabah (KePKAS).

Our team also had help from the Marine Research Foundation and Dive Rangers, to coordinate the event, as well as Dive Borneo Bah, Scuba Junkie, SeaTango and Go Aquatic who provided the boats and dive crew. 74 divers joined this activity, which consisted of 2 dives and had successfully collected a total of 130kg of trash.

Eco-Friendly Snorkel Guide Training

At the end of July, our team held an Eco-Friendly Snorkeling Guide training in Kudat, Sabah. Participants learned basic marine conservation knowledge, guiding skills, and eco-friendly practices while snorkeling. The training also includes First Aid Responder Certification to equip participants with important rescue/emergency responder skills.

Green Fins Introductory Workshop in Semporna

In August, 15 dive operator representatives attended our Green Fins Introductory Workshop in Semporna, hosted by Jeti Pelancongan Semporna.

This workshop was conducted to introduce Green Fins to the dive operators in Semporna and recruit them as new members. We were joined by representatives from Sabah Parks and the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment Sabah.

Group photo with participants of our Green Fins Introductory Workshop in Semporna.

Semporna

Marine Module with ISKUL Omadal

In September, we’ve successfully developed and delivered 2 out of 10 modules during training with the teachers in ISKUL Omadal. This marine module will be used as a teaching module for the students in ISKUL Omadal. The two modules focus on the introduction to the ocean and coral reef conservation.

Pilot Waste Management System at Larapan Island

The waste management collection team at Larapan Island continues to work on our pilot waste management programme. We have collected more than 5 tons of waste since March this year, and will continue to monitor and document the success and struggles of this programme.

Hanafi, one of our Eco divers from Mabul Island compiling data for the Mantanani survey.

Reef Check Annual Surveys and EcoDiver Training

Our team has completed Reef Check surveys around Sabah, with the help of Eco divers which comprises of the local island community, Sabah Parks staff and volunteers who flew from KL to join our surveys.

The Taman Pulau Tiga survey was led by Sabah Parks, and joined by Diana our local colleague from Mantanani Island and Nadhirah. The surveys in Mantanani were led by our colleagues, Adzmin and Nadhirah, and we had assistance from Hanafi and Haiqal (youths from Mabul Island), as well as JH Scuba.

Eco divers for Tunku Abdul Rahman Park’s Reef Check survey.

In August, we completed the surveys off Mataking Island, with help from Marlianah (Larapan youth) and Salman (Mabul youth), and Bigfin Divers.

In September, we conducted surveys in Lahad Datu and Tunku Abdul Rahman Park, the latter being led by Sabah Parks and joined by our colleague Nadhirah. The Lahad Datu surveys were completed with assistance from Rudy from Kudat Turtle Conservation Society and Jennifer Pippin. A special thanks to Dominic of Darvel Bay Diving for their continuous support.

We’ve also finally completed the Reef Check Eco diver training with 8 staff from Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC). This training was the continuation of the training that began in 2020 but was delayed due to COVID-19 lockdowns. We also proceeded with conducting Reef Check surveys of 4 sites in Miri - which will be SFC’s permanent survey sites.