Interactive Map Brings Insight into Malaysia’s Coral Reef Health
SEMPORNA, 7 FEBRUARY 2025 – Reef Check Malaysia is proud to be a recipient of the Ocean Community Empowerment and Nature Programme (OCEAN Grant Programme), supported by the UK Government. With this grant, Reef Check Malaysia will implement a project that builds on its ongoing efforts to empower local communities on Larapan Island, Sabah, to actively participate in sustainable marine resource management. The project is set to run until 2027.
The Acting British High Commissioner, David Wallace said, “Sabah is one of Malaysia’s many nature hotspots. The UK is committed to supporting work with local communities to protect its incredible marine biodiversity.
“Over the years the UK has supported efforts to protect Sabah’s forests, improve energy access, and reduce poverty. I am delighted that this project with the Pulau Larapan community has been successful in securing funding from our OCEAN programme.”
The Community-based Management of Marine Resources for Larapan Island, Sabah project aims to establish a Community Protocol (CP) on Larapan Island. This initiative will empower indigenous peoples and local communities to take an active role in managing their resources, protecting cultural and traditional practices, and securing their customary rights to the marine areas surrounding the island. It will also be the first marine-based Community Protocol established.
Reef Check Malaysia will be working with Green Semporna in establishing the Community Protocol.
“For years, we have worked alongside local communities to promote sustainable marine conservation in Semporna. This collaboration with Reef Check Malaysia is a significant step forward in ensuring that the people of Larapan Island have a strong voice in managing and protecting their marine resources.”, shared Nurasikin Jajim from Green Semporna.
The Community Protocol will empower local communities to take an active role in managing their resources
Reef Check Malaysia’s CEO, Julian Hyde, and Programme Manager, Adzmin Fatta, officially launched the programme during a meeting with villagers from Kampung Larapan Hujung and District Office of Semporna, recently. The launch marks a significant step forward in strengthening local capacity for marine conservation.
“Our meeting with Mr. Azis Bin Hj Bool, the Senior Assistant District Officer (ADO) of the Semporna District Office, was both successful and meaningful. He acknowledged that this protocol is timely and highly relevant in protecting the island’s unique marine biodiversity while empowering local islanders to safeguard their environment. During the discussion, he also emphasized his and the District Office’s full support for the initiative, expressing a deep personal connection to Larapan Island, as he himself hails from there.” shared Julian on the positive outcome of the meeting, highlighting the District Office’s commitment to the process.
RCM had a meeting with villagers from Kampung Larapan Hujung and District Office of Semporna.
“The development and implementation of a Community Protocol will ensure the sustainable management of marine resources, promoting equitable access and benefits for all Larapan islanders. This initiative is expected to lead to improved marine conservation outcomes and enhanced local capacity for resource management.” Hyde added.
The OCEAN Grant Programme underscores the importance of community-led approaches in achieving sustainable development goals, particularly in poverty reduction and marine conservation. This project serves as a model for how partnerships between local communities, NGOs, and international bodies can drive meaningful change.
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.
