Interactive Map Brings Insight into Malaysia’s Coral Reef Health
KUALA LUMPUR, 12 FEBRUARY 2025 – Reef Check Malaysia’s 2024 Annual Survey Report reveals that the health of Malaysia’s coral reefs suffered a slight decline for the second year running. Using the Reef Check survey methodology, the Reef Check Malaysia team surveyed over 300 locations across the country.
With over 17 years of data—dating back to the first surveys conducted in 2007—the results indicate that, on average, the coral reefs surveyed have a “fair” level of living coral at 44.65%, marking a slight decrease from 45.87% in 2023.
Reef Check Malaysia attributes this decline to several factors, primarily tourism, pollution, and fishing activities. Additionally, the 4th Global Coral Bleaching Event significantly contributed to the decline, affecting coral reefs worldwide. Bleaching was recorded at nearly 90% of the surveyed locations.
The 4th global mass coral bleaching phenomenon took place in 2024
The surveys also indicate that most indicator fish and invertebrate populations remain low, while signs of reef disturbance have increased in many areas. Approximately 83% of surveyed locations were impacted by discarded fishing nets and trash, while 56% suffered damage from boat anchors.
In Sabah, 64% of reefs showed evidence of dynamite fishing damage.
Ghostnets damage reefs
“These human activities are having a devastating impact on our reefs. We must urgently address these local threats to protect our marine ecosystems from these unsustainable practices,” said Julian Hyde, CEO of Reef Check Malaysia.
In response to these findings, Reef Check Malaysia is calling for improved management of coastal marine resources. The organization urges the government to consider joint management that integrates local communities into the management of Malaysia’s Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).
“Empowering local communities in marine management gives stakeholders a stronger voice in decisions that affect their livelihoods. Numerous studies suggest that community involvement leads to improved conservation outcomes. Our Community Marine Conservation Groups (CMCGs) are a testament to this approach,” Hyde added.
Reef Check Malaysia has been actively working alongside CMCGs, a network of trained local islanders conducting marine conservation efforts.
The organization also emphasizes the importance of building ecological and economic resilience.
“Resilient reefs have a greater chance of withstanding or recovering from the growing threats of climate change. Likewise, resilient communities diversify their economies instead of solely relying on tourism,” Hyde explained.
Reef Check Malaysia urges the government to consider shifting towards a sustainable tourism model, moving away from mass tourism in favour of environmentally responsible practices.
As coral reef ecosystems provide food and livelihoods for coastal communities, Reef Check Malaysia stresses the urgent need for greater government focus on marine biodiversity conservation issues and stronger efforts to protect Malaysia’s coral reefs.
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.
