Partnering for The Marine Ecosystem - Signing of a Memorandum of Understanding Between Reef Check Malaysia and the Department of Fisheries

Putrajaya, 14 December 2022: A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Department of Fisheries (DOF), representing the Government of Malaysia and Reef Check Malaysia was signed by YBhg. Datuk Haji Mohd Sufian bin Sulaiman, Director-General of the Department of Fisheries and Julian Hyde, General Manager of Reef Check Malaysia at the Department of Fisheries’ headquarters in Putrajaya yesterday. The MOU was signed to reach an understanding on the future collaborations for the conservation and restoration of the marine ecosystem.

The strategic partnership between DOF and Reef Check Malaysia has been ongoing for several years and has been carried out through multiple programme collaborations, in particular in marine parks.

The MOU is important to enable Reef Check Malaysia to continue its work to support the conservation of marine ecosystems in Malaysia. Hyde commented that: “We are grateful to the Department of Fisheries for their continuing support of our work, and we look forward to working closely with them in the future.”

The MOU focuses on 2 key points i.e.:

i)        The implementation of the health of coral reefs survey and the research on restoring the biodiversity, climate change, ecological and socioeconomic resilience and contribute to the increased understanding of the importance of the marine ecosystem management; and

ii)       The implementation of educational and awareness programme for local communities and local stakeholders, particularly in Marine Parks to encourage local stakeholders to get involved in the management, monitoring and preservation of marine ecosystems and to plant a sense of ownership within the community in an effort towards implementing co-management

“I hope that this approach can encourage the participation and cooperation of various parties in order to increase the effectiveness of the Government’s service execution and achieve a win-win situation for all involved.” shared YBhg. Datuk Haji Mohd Sufian bin Sulaiman.

The signing of the MOU signifies a monumental step forward for Malaysia’s marine environment. It is hoped that the partnership will benefit all stakeholders involved and ensure a sustainable marine ecosystem. For more information on Reef Check Malaysia, visit their website at www.reefcheck.org.my or email them at hello@reefcheck.org.my.