Interactive Map Brings Insight into Malaysia’s Coral Reef Health

MERSING, 4 JULY 2024 – Reef Check Malaysia’s Cintai Mersing team has embarked on an inspiring journey to train future conservation leaders among the islanders of the Mersing group of islands.

This program aims to enhance the local community’s capacity and skills to participate actively in marine resource management.

“I wanted to learn how to better care for our marine environment, knowing that our marine ecosystem is a finite resource,” commented Adilah Ahmad, one of the local youth participants.

Adilah Ahmad gained a deeper understanding of the marine environment

Funded by Star Foundation under its Star Social Impact Grant (SSIG) programme, this project has seen significant achievements. Ten youths have received Open Water scuba diving certification, which includes comprehensive knowledge and skill development.

Reef Check Malaysia are training local Mersing youths to be the next marine conservation leaders

“Becoming a skilful diver is crucial for conducting underwater conservation activities. My best experience was the improvement I made in terms of buoyancy, which greatly enhanced my ability to carry out underwater cleanups. My favourite activities underwater are ghost net cleanups and coral predator removal.” said Muhamad Helmy, Mersing local youth from Pulau Pemanggil.

Additionally, these youths are trained in reef rehabilitation, receiving basic coral reef biology and ecology training, and learning about the threats facing coral reefs.  They also gained hands-on experience, having planted over 100 coral fragments and conducted 8 coral bleaching monitoring surveys.   

“We want to equip the youths with the knowledge to care for their surroundings. That is why, in addition to scuba diving certification, we also train them on ways to care for coral reefs,” commented Nazirul Amin, Programme Manager of Cintai Mersing.

This project builds upon the existing Heart of the Ocean program which has supported Cintai Mersing since its inception. The aim is to improve ocean health by increasing reef resilience and reducing threats to marine biodiversity from plastic pollution.

Furthermore, participants receive training in installing mooring buoys, removing coral predators, and conducting underwater and beach cleanups. To date, the youths have installed 4 mooring buoys, cleared more than 100 kg marine debris from reefs and removed 21 Crown-of-thorns starfish (COTs).

The youths receive various training to carry out marine conservation

“We hope to equip these local youths with enough knowledge and skills to be the next marine conservation leaders that can protect Mersing islands’ marine biodiversity.” Nazirul added.

Muhamad Helmy hopes to continue contributing to the conservation of the marine ecosystem in the Mersing Islands

When asked what his hopes are after joining the program, Muhamad Helmy said,” I hope to continue contributing to the conservation of the marine ecosystem in the Mersing Islands and to be given more opportunities to do so.”

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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