Interactive Map Brings Insight into Malaysia’s Coral Reef Health
KUALA LUMPUR, 8 MAY 2023 – Reef Check Malaysia (RCM) is concerned that current unseasonal weather conditions might lead to widespread coral bleaching over the next few weeks.
RCM together with scientists from University Malaya (UM) and University Malaysia Terengganu (UMT), are monitoring the mass coral spawning event that happens around this time of year.
Coral spawning describes the act of corals releasing gametes into the ocean, which then settle to form new coral colonies, and eventually new reefs. So-called “mass” coral spawning occurs when numerous species spawn at the same time, a phenomenon that occurs on cues from the lunar cycle and water temperature.
Corals spawn by releasing their gametes into the ocean
Coral reefs in Tioman Island usually spawn around the full moon of April and October/ November. However, RCM’s team has observed that corals at some of their monitoring sites did not spawn until yesterday, a month later than expected.
“The erratic weather we have been experiencing could have delayed the spawning this year. The worrying part, however, is the water was 31C last night. If it remains this hot, we are definitely going to be hit by bleaching this year,” shared Alvin Chelliah, Senior Progamme Manager of Reef Check Malaysia.
When corals are stressed, they expel the algae (zooxanthellae) living in their tissues which leads to them losing their colour and exposing the white calcium carbonate skeleton underneath – hence the term “bleaching”. They not only lose their colour, they also lose their main source of nutrients, which comes from the zooxanthellae. Mass coral bleaching events may result in the death of coral colonies and affect the wellbeing of marine life and industries that depend on healthy coral reefs.
Coral bleaching happens when corals lose their colour
“Coral reefs are extremely sensitive to the growing impacts of climate change. Marine life are not the only losers due to the loss of our coral reefs. Marine-based tourism could suffer and so will the local businesses and community in the area. No coral reefs means there will be no habitat, nursery, and food for fish. Fishermen will suffer and there are also implications for our food supply” stressed Julian Hyde, General Manager of Reef Check Malaysia.
The last mass coral bleaching event happened in 2010 when Malaysia’s coral reefs suffered major damage, with an estimated 5-10% of corals dying. Based on RCM’s annual surveys, it took five years for the coral reefs to recover.
RCM has also stated their recommendations on how to better protect our coral reefs in their annual survey report here.
KUALA LUMPUR, 18 OCTOBER 2024 – 8,569 volunteers from all around Malaysia collected 41,015kg of trash during the annual International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) event in September 2024.
Among 388,730 items collected, the most common item found was plastic bottles at 50,785 bottles. The second and third most common items were cigarette butts at 39,584 pieces and plastic/foam pieces at 38,801 pieces.
Reef Check Malaysia (RCM) coordinates the nationwide ICC in Malaysia every year since 2018. Organizations, groups and individuals collect data during the cleanup and key in data into the Clean Swell app to contribute to the global database of cleanups by Ocean Conservancy.
Tengku Zatashah, Princess Beach Cleanup in action
Y.A.M Tengku Zatashah binti Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, the princess of Selangor, who is also fondly known as ‘Princess Beach Cleanup’, also participated in this year’s ICC. “The International Coastal Cleanup is an event I look forward to every year since 2017. Participating in beach cleanups allows us to see the problem firsthand and take action to address it. I encourage everyone to do their part in keeping our oceans clean.” commented Tengku Zatashah who joined the ICC at Pantai Morib Baharu in Selangor this year.
Proud volunteers of Hapag-Lloyd Business Services Malaysia that cleaned up Pantai Batu 23
This year’s ICC was supported by Hapag-Llyod Business Services Malaysia and KPMG Malaysia. Hapag-Llyod Business Services Malaysia’s volunteers cleaned Pantai Batu 23 for ICC and collected 54.75 kg of trash. KPMG Malaysia chose to clean Pantai Remis, Kuala Selangor and collected 126.61kg of trash.
Coastal Cleanup is an event I look forward to every year since 2017. Participating in beach cleanups allows us to see the problem firsthand and take action to address it. I encourage everyone to do their part in keeping our oceans clean.” commented Tengku Zatashah who joined the ICC at Pantai Morib Baharu in Selangor this year.
KPMG volunteers cleared 126.61kg of trash from Pantai Remis
Reef Check Malaysia also held their Kod Blue: Laut Needs You event as part of the International Coastal Cleanup (ICC). Volunteers for Kod Blue 2024 which happened on 7 September at Kampung Air Batang, Tioman Island, collected 757.7kg of trash from the beach cleanup and 50.8kg of trash from the underwater cleanup. The underwater cleanup team also removed 62 coral predators, the Crown-of-Thorns starfish (COT).
All Kod Blue 2024 volunteers before the cleanups
“The objective of the event is to spread awareness about the issue of marine debris while bringing together the general public and the local community of Tioman Island,” said Theresa Ng, Chief Operating Officer of Reef Check Malaysia. “Kod Blue is an homage to the term used to mean ’emergency’ in the medical field, and ‘blue’ is also a nod to the ocean.”
The second event in the series featured a conservation talk by Reef Check Malaysia’s Chief Programmes Officer, Alvin Chelliah, a special ‘Action Camera Underwater Videography’ workshop by Reef Check Malaysia’s ambassador, Baki Zainal, a beach and underwater cleanup, a ‘Pasar Malam Mesra Alam’ offering local delicacies from the Tioman Island community, a glass crusher and coral block workshop, and a movie night.
Volunteers segregated trash according to types
The event was supported by sponsors including Migalabs, Diamond & Platinum, REEF, Bose, Sol Sauce Sunscreen, Akkord Scents, Nautika Scuba Centre, B&J Diving Centre, Small Towns Malaysia, Ryan’s Special Needs Care Centre, Garmin Malaysia, Cowa, MobyTek, and Nazri’s Place.
“We are grateful for our sponsors for their generous sponsorship and support for Kod Blue 2024.” commented Theresa.
“We also would like to thank our ambassadors, Sharifah Sofia and Baki Zainal, all of our volunteers including representatives from Tioman Development Authority, Department of Fisheries (DOF), Alam Flora, SWCORP ROMPIN, PERHILITAN Department, Tioman Police, SMK Tekek (Nature Lovers Club), and Malaysia Civil Defence Force for participating in our cleanup effort.” added Theresa.
A TMCG member who supported our cleanup weighed all trash collected
Every year, millions of tons of trash—including an estimated 11 million metric tons of plastic waste—flows into the ocean, impacting more than 800 marine species and even entering the food chain.
“When I first heard about Kod Blue 2024, I was excited, and I think it is a good chance to be part of conservation work with experts in the field. It was not easy to make time for this event, but I am very happy I did. I get to meet like-minded people, and I enjoy every second of the activities. I have a lot of takeaways from this event” commented Yvonne Jong, one of the underwater participants of Kod Blue 2024.
