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Policy and Advocacy Progress (January – March 2026)
Policy and Advocacy Progress: January - March 2026 Plastics Policy and ActionFrom January to March 2026, Reef Check Malaysia worked with the Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology (Eawag) and the University of Bern to better understand how plastic...
South of Johor Updates: January – March 2026
South of Johor Updates: January - March 2026 Looking Ahead in Pasir GogokIn Kampung Pasir Gogok, a recent town hall brought the community together to talk about what’s happening along their coastline and what can be done next. Residents shared what they’ve been seeing...
Kota Kinabalu & Mantanani Updates: January – March 2026
Kota Kinabalu and Cintai Mantanani Updates: January - March 2026KOTA KINABALUTraining Guides for Safer SeasIn Kota Kinabalu, 10 new Eco-Friendly Snorkel Guides (EFSGs) recently completed their training in Manukan Island, picking up both safety skills and a better...
Semporna Updates: January – March 2026
Semporna Updates: January - March 2026 Shaping a Community Protocol in Larapan IslandRecently, members of the Larapan Marine Conservation Group (LMCG) and the local Community Protocol Committee came together for a follow-up workshop to refine the Community Protocol -...
Cintai Tioman Updates: January – March 2026
Cintai Tioman Updates: January - March 2026 Building Community AwarenessThis quarter, we worked with both students and community members to build a better understanding of marine ecosystems and what it means to protect them. In our session with students from SMK...
Cintai Mersing Updates: January – March 2026
Cintai Mersing Updates: January - March 2026 Building Local CapacityIn Mersing, recent efforts have focused on building skills across both experienced guides and new community members. 21 participants took part in the Eco-Friendly Scuba Guide (EFSG) renewal programme,...
Julian’s Thoughts
Are Our Corals Bleaching Again?
Looks Like Coral Bleaching's Happening Again Remember 2024? I know, it seems like such a long time ago…but it’s only 2 years ago, and a lot has happened since then...(no, I’m not referring to Trump…!!) 2024 was declared by marine scientists as the fourth global...
Wastewater Management on Islands: The Missing Link in Ocean Protection
We need to talk about sewage treatment on our islands… Sheesh. It gets difficult when even the scientists can’t agree!! I recently posted a question on a coral science list server. I was motivated to do this because there was an on-going “discussion” about the...
The 2025 Reef Check Survey Results and What They Mean for Our Coral Reefs
Let's Talk About Our Reefs I’m not sure I know how to do this anymore, to make it effective and impactful. It feels like every year I talk about the results of the annual surveys…but nothing seems to change. But here we go… Overview of the 2025 Reef Check Survey...
Reef Check Malaysia’s 2025 Highlights and What’s Ahead in 2026
Reef Check Malaysia's 2025 As 2025 comes to a close, it’s traditional to look back on the year’s events – and look forward to the coming year. 2025 has been as busy a year as I can remember! Lots of great things happening, and I think we are laying a solid foundation...
The Mersing Islands Dilemma: To Close or Not to Close
To Close, or Not to Close…That Is The Question… Ok, paraphrasing Shakespeare is a cheap shot, but it just seemed appropriate. So, What’s The Problem? I’m referring, of course, to the recent closure of a number of islands off the East coast of Johor, near the town of...
Where Did the Year Go? At Least the Oceans Got Some Good News
Is It Just Me? Is it just me, or is the world going bonkers? Without looking at your computer screen…what is today’s date? ….. I can wait… ….. 30th September? You’re kidding, right? I mean – what happened to the year??? It was June just yesterday…now I’m talking about...
Advocacy and Public Policy
Beyond the Data: What We’ve Learned Through Policy Lens
For 17 years, Reef Check Malaysia (RCM) has been synonymous with coral reef health survey data. We built our reputation on being the ones in the water—clipboards in hand, counting indicator fish, invertebrates and assessing substrate types. Before long, the Department...













