Semporna Updates: April – June 2026
Pioneering Seaweed Restoration
A community-led conservation group from Pulau Selakan is playing a key role in Malaysia’s first tropical eucheumatoid seaweed restoration project, led by Universiti Malaya in collaboration with Reef Check Malaysia, Sabah Parks and local partners. The project aims to restore wild seaweed populations and strengthen the resilience of marine ecosystems. But just as importantly, it highlights how local communities are becoming trusted partners in scientific research. Members of the Selakan Marine Conservation Group are working alongside researchers throughout the restoration process, bringing valuable local knowledge and experience to the project.
It’s a powerful example of how conservation works best when science and communities grow together.
Developing Community Protocols
Over the past few months, Reef Check Malaysia has been supporting the Jawatankuasa Protokol Komuniti Pulau Larapan (JPKPL) as the community develops its Community Protocol and strengthens local governance for managing marine and coastal resources.
Through community engagement sessions, participatory workshops and mapping exercises, villagers documented traditional knowledge, identified conservation priorities, and refined the protocol to reflect their needs and aspirations. The process also helped establish a clear governance structure for JPKPL, with elected committee members and dedicated teams to lead areas such as marine resource management, community development and tourism.
By putting local knowledge and leadership at the centre of the process, Pulau Larapan is building a stronger foundation for community-led conservation and the sustainable management of its natural resources.
Empowering Kunak’s Youth
RCM has taken the first steps towards establishing the Kunak Darvel Marine Conservation Group (KDMCG), bringing together local youths to learn about marine conservation and community leadership. Guided by members of the Selakan Marine Conservation Group (SMCG), participants took part in awareness sessions, resource mapping, a coastal cleanup and collected marine debris while learning how to record data using the Clean Swell app. Building on this momentum, five participants went on to earn their Open Water Diver certification, equipping them with the skills to support future reef monitoring and restoration efforts.
The youth members of the new KDMCG
The newly certified Open Water Divers
Checkout these stories
Why should we care and where do marine protected areas fit in?
This article is the third of a six-part bi-weekly series culminating in an editorial piece advocating for an integrated ocean policy for Malaysia. PART 3: FISHERIES MANAGEMENT AND MARINE PROTECTED AREASThe hunt for fish escalates as global consumption climbs risking...
Islander Partners Improve Resource Management
(Photo: All together now: Tioman islanders and NGO members remove reef-smothering ghost nets. Pic by Reef Check Malaysia)Locals must be involved in managing their own islands and island resources, says Julian Hyde. It is better for community empowerment and for...
Why supercharging ocean protection of at least 30% of the Earth area is critical for human health and economic wellbeing
The oceans have taken care of us for generations. They are one of our biggest sources of natural capital, accounting for 70% of the earth’s surface. Unfortunately, decades of uncontrolled exploitation of our ocean resources has resulted in escalating pollution-induced climate change, allowed the exacerbation of plastic pollution, caused the collapse of many fisheries, destroyed biodiversity and in the end, negatively impacted our economy and social wellbeing.