Interactive Map Brings Insight into Malaysia’s Coral Reef Health

SERI BUAT, 6 JULY 2026 – Nearly 600 kg of marine debris, including ghost nets, plastic bottles and styrofoam, was removed from the beaches and surrounding waters of Seri Buat Island during the Seri Buat Island Beach and Underwater Cleanup, demonstrating the impact of collaborative conservation efforts to protect the island’s marine ecosystems. 

The event was jointly organised by the Pahang State Parks Corporation (PSPC), Reef Check Malaysia (RCM) and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM-EKOMAR).  

Approximately 40 participants from PSPC, RCM, UKM-EKOMAR, the Tioman Development Authority, Rompin District Council, the Marine Police, the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA), the Pahang Economic Planning Division (BPEN), and the Tioman Marine Conservation Group (TMCG) took part in the seven-hour cleanup programme. 

Approximately 40 participants from various organisations participated. Photo credit to UKM 

A total of 595kg of marine debris was removed from both the beach and surrounding underwater areas. The collected waste included ghost nets, styrofoam, plastic bottles, slippers, glass bottles and other marine litter. 

Styrofoam and plastic bottles accounted for the majority of the waste collected, with 2,848 pieces of styrofoam and 2,340 plastic bottles recovered. The findings highlight the persistent challenge of land-based and marine pollution affecting Seri Buat Island.

A total of 595kg of marine debris was removed from both the beach and surrounding underwater areas. Photo credit to UKM 

“The debris collected today is more than just waste—it serves as a powerful reminder that Pahang’s marine heritage must be protected, conserved and managed continuously to ensure the long-term sustainability of our natural environment. 

In line with this commitment, the Pahang State Parks Corporation (PTNP) will continue to strengthen marine conservation efforts through the gazettement of the Seri Buat Islands, covering eight islands and extending up to 0.1 nautical miles from the lowest low-water mark. This initiative will strengthen the protection of marine biodiversity, enhance the governance of protected areas, and support a more sustainable, systematic and effective management of the State’s natural resources and revenue. 

This reflects PTNP’s continued commitment to balancing environmental conservation with sustainable development, in line with the Pahang State Government’s aspiration to safeguard the State’s natural heritage for the benefit of present and future generations,” said Encik Zainal Abidin bin Othman, Chief Executive of the Pahang State Parks Corporation (PTNP). 

The event builds on ongoing marine conservation efforts around Seri Buat Island. Prior to the cleanup programme, RCM and the TMCG, together with a representative from PSPC, conducted five underwater cleanup operations at various locations around the island, removing five units of ghost gear weighing a combined 290kg. 

290kg of ghostnets were removed. 

“Removing marine debris is about more than keeping our beaches clean. Ghostnets and plastic waste can damage coral reefs, entangle marine life and continue harming ecosystems long after they enter the sea.” said Shahir Yaman, Programme Manager at Reef Check Malaysia, who is based in Tioman. 

“The strong participation from government agencies, researchers and the local community shows that protecting Seri Buat Island is a shared responsibility. When different sectors work together, we can achieve greater and more lasting conservation outcomes.” 

“This programme is one step in our ongoing efforts around Seri Buat Island. Alongside cleanups, we hope to continue strengthening local stewardship and preventing marine debris from entering the environment in the first place.” 

The organisers hope the programme will encourage continued collaboration to address marine pollution while strengthening the long-term protection of Seri Buat Island’s marine and coastal ecosystems. 

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.   

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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.

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.

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