Cintai Mersing Updates:
July-September 2026
Merdeka Dive for Mersing’s Reefs
To mark Merdeka, Reef Check Malaysia, the Mersing Marine Conservation Group (MMCG) and the Department of Fisheries (DoF) joined forces for a conservation dive in the Mersing Islands.
Divers working together to remove ghost nets
The team removed 49.1 kg of ghost nets and marine debris from the reef, reducing the risk of entanglement and damage to marine life, while also removing 9 Crown-of-Thorns starfish that can contribute to coral loss when present in high numbers.
A diver injecting a COT with vinegar solution
Strengthening Recycling Efforts
In August, three Mersing Marine Conservation Group (MMCG) members and two Pulau Tinggi community members upgraded 18 existing recycling bins with BRC mesh for use around the island.
Building new recycling bins
Communities across Pulau Sibu, Pulau Tinggi and Pulau Aur also supported local recycling efforts, transferring a combined 453 kg of recyclable materials, including plastic and cans to Clean and Happy Recycle & Enterprise.
These community-led efforts help keep the islands clean, reduce waste reaching landfills and the ocean, and strengthen more sustainable waste management practices across the Mersing Islands.
Local community in Pulau Aur sorting out recyclables
Mersing International Conservation Day
Mersing International Conservation Day brought together organisations from the tourism and conservation community to promote environmental awareness and more sustainable tourism in Mersing. Organised by members of Sustainable Travel Mersing, the event featured 16 organisations and welcomed around 500 locals and visitors.
Danise (RCM) explaining about our reef rehabilitation efforts to visitors at RCM’s booth
At the RCM booth, around 200 visitors took part in interactive activities and learned more about marine conservation and the importance of protecting Mersing’s marine environment.
Children playing an educational game at RCM’s booth
Checkout these stories
Rivers of Waste: It’s Time We Take Responsibility
We can put a man on the moon, but…We can’t keep our rivers clean?Today I had an opportunity to visit the interceptors near the river mouth of the Klang River. What an eye-opening experience.Thanks to the team at The Ocean Cleanup for showing us around, and to our good...
Making Community-based Conservation Real: CMCGs
Community-based ConservationNumerous reports and publications highlight the importance of involving local stakeholders in conservation of natural resources. There is plenty of evidence to indicate that conservation outcomes are improved if the people who rely on the...
Cintai Redang: April – June 2024
RMCG’s various clean up efforts In April, our colleagues and members of the Redang Marine Conservation Group (RMCG) came together to remove a reported ghost net weighing 40kg. Following this dive, they also managed to remove almost 70 Crown-of-Thorns starfish, whose...
