South of Johor Updates:
October – December 2025
Stakeholder Consultation and Engagement
Our RCM colleagues continued engaging key partners to strengthen marine conservation efforts in southern Johor. Discussions with Majlis Perbandaran Pengerang (MPP), led by YDP Mr. Norazmi bin Haji Amir Hamzah, focused on enhancing environmental awareness, exploring joint community programmes, and encouraging public participation. The MPP expressed strong support and interest in future collaboration on conservation activities in Pengerang.
We also met with SMK Adela ahead of onboarding the school into the marine awareness programme. The school expressed strong interest and support, reflecting growing awareness and engagement among education stakeholders in southern Johor.
RCM’s Don (right) meeting with YDP Mr. Norazmi bin Haji Amir Hamzah
RCM’s team (white and grey t-shirts) meeting with representative from SMK Adela
Education & Awareness Programmes
We conducted our third marine education session with SMK Pengerang Utama, building on students’ earlier participation in the International Coastal Cleanup. A total of 49 Form 4 students took part in a marine-themed sculpture competition, creating artworks from recyclable materials and marine debris to explore the impacts of waste and the importance of reuse. Teams presented their concepts and environmental messages, with sculptures judged on creativity, relevance, clarity, and stability. The completed artworks are now displayed in the school foyer to extend learning to the wider school community.
During the same quarter, a follow-up session was held at SK Kampung Baru Pasir Gogok to monitor the mangrove nursery established earlier in the year. Students inspected seedling growth, learned basic nursery care, explored the role of mangroves in coastal ecosystems, and participated in an interactive game on marine food webs.
Meanwhile, SMK Adela became the third school in southern Johor to join Reef Check Malaysia’s marine awareness programme. Students were introduced to coral reefs, seagrass meadows, and mangrove forests, with emphasis on their roles in supporting marine life and protecting coastlines. An interactive Nature Network Game helped illustrate how ecosystem connections weaken when one habitat is lost.
Grand prize winner of the sculpture presentation
Follow-up session on the mangrove nursery lesson
Checkout these stories
Empowering Island Communities: 24 Locals Trained to Protect Marine Ecosystems in Redang and Perhentian
KUALA LUMPUR, 31 OCTOBER 2025 – 24 local islanders from Redang and Perhentian Islands were trained under a programme aimed at building the capacity of island communities to monitor marine biodiversity and co-manage marine ecosystems. This capacity-building initiative...
The Mersing Islands Dilemma: To Close or Not to Close
To Close, or Not to Close…That Is The Question… Ok, paraphrasing Shakespeare is a cheap shot, but it just seemed appropriate. So, What’s The Problem? I’m referring, of course, to the recent closure of a number of islands off the East coast of Johor, near the town of...
Two Mersing Dive Operators Earn Green Fins Silver Certification, Advancing Johor’s Sustainable Tourism
KUALA LUMPUR, 10 OCTOBER 2025 – Two dive operators in Mersing paved the way as the district’s first to achieve Green Fins Silver certification, marking a milestone in Johor’s efforts to strengthen sustainable marine tourism.Aqua Dive Sport (left) and Sea Gypsy Village...