Semporna Updates:
October – December 2025
Reef Rehabilitation Efforts
Our local CMCGs in Semporna have been actively managing and maintaining nine coral rehabilitation sites in four islands. Each team conducts a monthly maintenance and has noted down good progress and growth at each site. However, we have experience some struggles including the outbreak of crown of thorns and also the infestation of purple sponge that smothers and kills corals. Our Programme Manager in Semporna, Adzmin, shares his struggles below.
Healthy coral colonies on a spider frame in Mabul Island
A CMCG member cleaning algae off the frames
“The real struggle — we dived for three days to thoroughly clean the purple sponge (Chalinula nematifera) that was killing corals and outgrowing/infesting our healthy corals on the spider frame. We removed each affected coral and managed to save the unaffected fragments. I hope this works; if not, we might end up having to remove the entire frame and dry it under the sun. If anyone has any experience dealing with this, do share your thoughts with us.” Adzmin Fatta.
Waste Management Activities
RCM has initiated waste management systems across Semporna. Here is a quick progress update and plans for 2026.
1. In Selakan Island, we launched the programme in early 2025, to replicate the success of similar programmes in Mantanani, Larapan and Mabul islands. The programme empowers communities to separate household waste, supported by central collection and collaboration with local authorities for proper disposal.
It also includes beach clean-ups, education initiatives, the development of a recycling hub for learning and alternative income, and workshops on sustainable financing to support long-term waste management solutions. From March to November 2025, a total of 5,757 kg of waste was collected, including 2,492 kg from household segregation and 3,264.8 kg from beach clean-ups. To date, there are 40 active households who have all been trained to segregate wastes and recyclables at their household level.
Beach clean-ups by the villagers in Selakan Island
2. One communal bin was installed at Kg Sri Aman as an initial step in our waste management programme, which will officially begin in January 2026. The bin was intended for recyclable plastic bottles and to assess community compliance.
However, after one month of observation, waste was found to be mixed, indicating low recycling awareness. This highlights the need to prioritise community engagement and education in Phase 1 of the programme. To date, over 70 kg of waste has been cleared through this communal bin.
Waste being emptied into communal bins at Kg Sri Aman
Advancement of Sustainable Tourism
In October, we successfully completed another batch of the Eco-Friendly Snorkeling Guide (EFSG) training, supported by Kolej Komuniti Semporna. This marks our 6th training batch in Semporna, and in 2025 alone, we have trained over 90 snorkeling guides across Sabah with the support of the MetLife Foundation and the Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and Environment of Sabah.
RCM carried out Green Fins and Green Hotel assessments in Semporna to support sustainable tourism. Three snorkelling operators were recently assessed, bringing the 2025 total to 27, with most remaining at Bronze and Silver levels, indicating basic to intermediate compliance.
Adzmin (EFSG Trainer) during the snorkeling practical and stimulation activities
Thirteen resorts were also assessed under the Green Hotel Standard, increasing the yearly total to 17 and the overall total in Semporna to 19 hotels and resorts. Of these, six achieved Pass status, with an average implementation score of 48.36%, reflecting moderate adoption of green practices and encouraging progress in areas such as waste management and staff training.
RCM’s Diana during the interview session of the GH assessment
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