Interactive Map Brings Insight into Malaysia’s Coral Reef Health

KUALA LUMPUR, 22 SEPTEMBER 2025 – An advanced interactive map compiling years of data on the health of Malaysia’s reefs from over 300 sites is now available on Reef Check Malaysia’s website.

The interactive map offers a comprehensive and dynamic view of reef conditions, specifically using data from the Reef Check survey methodology, which is widely recognized worldwide.

It provides a robust platform that visualizes data, displaying key indicators such as fish, invertebrates, and substrate data. The platform presents this information in an easy-to-understand format, helping users quickly identify areas of concern and track trends in reef health in Malaysia over the past five years.

The interactive map displays data on the health of Malaysia’s coral reefs.

The new platform was made possible through The APAC Digital Transformation Program by Infoxchange.

“This platform leverages the power of community involvement to gather extensive and diverse data sets. This approach democratizes data collection and encourages public participation, fostering a sense of ownership and responsibility towards reef conservation,” commented Theresa Ng, Chief Operating Officer of Reef Check Malaysia.

“The interactive map also provides timely updates on reef health indicators. This immediate access to current data allows stakeholders to make informed decisions quickly, enhancing the ability to respond to emerging threats,” Ng added.

The data was gathered using the Reef Check survey methodology

The platform is designed with an intuitive user interface and is accessible via Reef Check Malaysia’s website. This ensures that users of all technical backgrounds can easily navigate the map, and access relevant information.

Alongside the interactive map, Reef Check Malaysia has also introduced an educational modules page, designed for teachers, students, and passionate individuals to learn more about marine conservation.

“We invite everyone to explore the map and educational modules,” added Ng. “We hope this platform and modules will help facilitate informed decision-making, promote sustainable practices, and ultimately contribute to the preservation and restoration of coral reefs, safeguarding these vital ecosystems for future generations.”

For more information on Reef Check Malaysia, you may visit them on their website, Facebook and Instagram or contact them at hello@reefcheck.org.my.

KUALA LUMPUR, 15 MARCH 2022 – A popular tourist activity – tourists and tourism operators feeding fishes and turtles for the perfect selfie is actually harmful to marine life.

Fish feeding can disrupt the balance of our marine ecosystem as one small change can have a huge domino effect, starve fishes to death due to bacteria growth, and change the natural diet of fishes causing an algae and Crown-of-Thorns starfish bloom – which kills corals.

“Fish feed is not a healthy practice especially when it is not part of the fishes’ natural diet, for example, bread, and frequent feeding can cause fishes to become “domesticated” and sometimes may become too aggressive towards human when seeking for food,”

shares Dr James Tan, a marine biologist at the School of Marine and Environmental Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu.

According to Reef Check Malaysia, a marine conservation NGO, while there has been an increase of 2.94% of live coral cover in 2021, there are still a number of indicators that show coral reef health is being damaged by impacts such as pollution, marine debris, and warm water bleaching.

Unsustainable marine tourism can threaten Malaysia’s marine biodiversity, which in turn, affects those who rely on marine resources as their livelihoods – fisherfolk, businesses, and island communities.

On your next island holiday, you have a choice. Do not support irresponsible tourism operators. Choose eco-friendly hotels and tour guides. For green dive operators, you can refer to greenfins.net

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