Interactive Map Brings Insight into Malaysia’s Coral Reef Health

KUALA LUMPUR, 23 FEBRUARY 2022 – Reef Check Malaysia (RCM) has published its annual report on the Status of Coral Reefs in Malaysia, 2021. Covering over 200 sites around Malaysia, the report reveals that Live Coral Cover (LCC), a key indicator of reef health, increased slightly to 44% from 41% in 2020.

The annual survey programme – running for 15 years now, covers over 200 sites around Malaysia. Surveys are conducted by RCM staff, government agencies and volunteers. Ms Chen Sue Yee, Programme Manager in charge of the report, said that:

“while the increase in LCC is to be welcomed, there are also a number of indicators that show coral reef health is being damaged by a variety of impacts including pollution, marine debris and warm water bleaching.”

With reefs and other marine ecosystems under increasing pressure from climate change, RCM has launched a year-long campaign to raise awareness of ocean conservation issues.

RCM’s General Manager, Julian Hyde said that

“Scientists are increasingly concerned about the health of the ocean, and the ecosystems in it, including coral reefs. But the problem with the ocean is that so few people know just how much we benefit from a healthy ocean. And as a coastal nation, whose marine Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) area is greater than its land area – this is particularly important for Malaysia”.

A recent report by Deloitte highlights some important, but little known facts, about the ocean. Half of the oxygen we breath comes from the ocean. It is an important carbon sink, absorbing about one third of human carbon emissions. Coastal ecosystems including mangroves, seagrass beds and coral reefs provide free and natural protection against flooding, and are a nursery and habitat for many marine species that provide food for local communities. Data from Marine Parks Malaysia suggest that the total economic value of the East coast Parks could be up to RM 7.8 billion.

Hyde continues “the ocean is receiving increasing attention for its biodiversity and as an important provider of ecosystem services. The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework is currently being negotiated and will put in place important targets and strategies for protecting and managing our oceans, including increasing protected areas. We support this, and we want more Malaysians to be aware of what the issues are, hence this ocean literacy campaign”.

The campaign, which begins in March, will include webinars, social media posts and talks to address ocean conservation issues. Follow RCM on Facebook or Instagram @reefcheckmalaysia to get updates and resources on the ocean literacy campaign.

 

 

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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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