KUALA LUMPUR, 26 JUNE 2024: Malaysia’s coral reefs are turning white due to a phenomenon called coral bleaching, a result of their being exposed to warm water for a prolonged period. 

Reef Check Malaysia, a non-governmental organisation committed to healthy oceans, has been monitoring for coral bleaching since February 2024.  

“We followed the steps in the Malaysia Bleaching Response Plan after receiving warning predictions of coral bleaching from the US National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Coral Reef Watch. 

“The plan is primarily a communications strategy for all stakeholders during a bleaching event. It ensures everyone is informed about the situation and outlines the limited management responses available to reef managers.” said Julian Hyde, CEO of Reef Check Malaysia. 

One key management response in the Bleaching Response Plan is frequent reef monitoring surveys. Reef Check Malaysia has been contributing to this monitoring effort, conducting bi-weekly surveys on coral reefs at Redang, Tioman, Besar Island (Johor), Larapan, Mabul and monthly surveys with Sabah Parks in Kota Kinabalu. We have also been receiving reports on bleaching from Scuba diving operators and leisure divers from Langkawi, Perhentian island, Darvel Bay, Sepanggar, Pom-pom and Mantanani Island via our online bleaching reporting forms.    

“In February bleaching was minimum and only affected around 5% of the population on some reefs. However, as temperatures remained high in April and May, we started recording more corals starting to bleach. The bleaching has been more severe in Terengganu with some reefs recording up to 80% of its population bleached. However down south in Johor and Phang we are recording around 25%. Over in Kota Kinabalu about 40% of the population was reported to be bleaching while in Semporna it was only around 14% on average”, commented Alvin Chelliah, Chief Programmes Officer of Reef Check Malaysia, based on Tioman Island. 

When asked what can be done in the event of mass coral bleaching happening, Julian commented, “We need to protect our reefs by reducing local threats. During the World Ocean Day weekend, we spoke with dive centers about measures to reduce pressure on reefs by avoiding most resilient sites and sites experiencing high levels of bleaching as well as by conducting coral predator removal, namely Crown of Thorns Starfish. The response was very positive as dive operators were eager to take actions that would promote recovery.  

“But most importantly, we need to realise that climate change related impacts such as mass bleaching are only expected to increase in frequency and intensity in the future. What we really need to be doing is thinking long term and planning for the future, building reef resilience by controlling local impacts. This includes addressing issues like sewage pollution, physical damage, coastal development, solid waste pollution and unsustainable use of this precious natural resource.  We are in talks with state and federal government agencies to foster collaboration in addressing these pressing issues.” added Alvin.  

The public are also encouraged to report incidents of coral bleaching when diving or snorkelling to Reef Check Malaysia. 

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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