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Submitted by Reef Check Malaysia
Reef Check Malaysia (RCM) shares all their latest news- a positive update on coral bleaching, their recent attendance at the UN Ocean Decade Conference, a new project in Mersing, the search for a more cost-effective solution to handle waste management, outreach efforts on Redang Island, and corporate sponsor conservation programs on Tioman.
CORAL BLEACHING MONITORING IN MALAYSIA
The good news is that recent NOAA data shows that the warm water causing coral bleaching is receding, but we’re not completely out of the woods just yet. Our CEO, Julian Hyde shares his thoughts on the current situation, in a brief note. We welcome the public to help us monitor the health of Malaysia’s coral reefs. If you have seen any bleaching corals during your trip to any islands in Malaysia, you can report your observations to us here or by scanning the QR code.
REEF CHECK MALAYSIA AT THE UN OCEAN DECADE CONFERENCE
In April, our colleague Adzmin Fatta, represented RCM at the UN Ocean Decade Conference, held in Barcelona, Spain. Adzmin delivered an oral presentation on “Science-Based Approach to Empowering Local Communities”, mainly using RCM’s ‘Community-Based Coral Restoration Project’ funded by the IKI Small Grants as a reference. He emphasized a science-based approach to empowering local communities in marine conservation, which aligns with Ocean Decade Challenge 1 (Ocean Literacy).
As the Program Manager at Reef Check Malaysia, Adzmin heads our efforts in Semporna, Sabah, working closely with indigenous and local communities for more meaningful conservation and management of our marine biodiversity. Read more about the RCM’s participation (through IKI) at the conference here.
NEW PROJECT LOCATION
Say “hello!” to the newest addition to Reef Check Malaysia! Beginning the third quarter of this year, our colleagues in Mersing began expanding their work scope to include seagrass monitoring, among other efforts. This is in line with RCM’s recent shift in our focus. RCM now has 6 main project locations across Malaysia.
Our colleagues kicked off the project by meeting with two schools and a few partners to discuss the proposed marine environmental awareness program and activities for the year. We then conducted two indoor awareness programs with these schools, involving a total of 202 students, as well as an awareness program with participants from one of our collaborator companies, during which we covered basic knowledge and understanding of mangroves, seagrass and coral reef ecosystems. We also discussed the roles of corporations and industries in protecting and preserving the environment.
WASTE MANAGEMENT EFFORTS SEEKING MORE COST-EFFECTIVE OPERATIONS
RCM has been working on waste management on Mantanani Island in Sabah since late 2018. Over the years, the local islanders have shown support and are now very much involved in the entire program, which is now partially managed by a few local volunteers themselves.
In mid-June, our team on Mantanani Island sent out 62 bundles of compressed plastics weighing almost 700 kg to the mainland in Kota Belud. The company that bought the recyclables paid us RM50 for it, which we used to cover the cost of transportation. In the second quarter of 2024, we successfully sent out 1,720 kg of general trash to the landfills in Kota Belud.
Despite the program progressing well, one major issue we face is the total cost of sending the collected waste out of Mantanani Island, including costs of boat rental and transport on the mainland. The amount received from selling the recyclables is insufficient to cover the entire expenses incurred. We are still looking for a more cost-effective solution to handle the waste management program on the island, so do reach out to us should you have any suggestions that would help us.
MULTIPLE STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT EFFORTS IN REDANG ISLAND
RCM’s team on Redang Island organized a consultation session with the various SCUBA dive operators on the island, to gauge their feedback on ways to generate local income through conservation activities on the island. The feedback received is useful in helping us plan the next steps that will help the local islanders earn income while protecting their island. Our team also took the opportunity to discuss current RCM efforts on the island. A majority of these operators was very supportive of our current work and expressed interest to continue participating in our activities too.
Towards the end of June, we conducted an awareness program with the students of the local school on the island, SK Pulau Redang. Among the activities were a classroom presentation and discussion, as well as coloring and building their own marine ecosystem scenery. We hope that these programs will be able to instill a sense of love and ownership of the marine environment among these students.
TIOMAN ISLAND CONSERVATION – COLLABORATIVE EFFORT
Our Tioman team has been carrying out conservation programs with several organizations who made a visit to the island. The first was a ‘Coral Rehabilitation & Cultivation Sustainability Program’ in conjunction with Watsons ‘Blue Beauty’ Campaign. The Watsons team made “coral pots” and 35 blocks for coral reef rehabilitation, conducted a DIY workshop with bottles, and presented a mock check to RCM.
A team from KPMG Malaysia, a long-time partner and sponsor of RCM also visited Tioman Island participating in several activities such as the EcoDiver course, reef rehabilitation activities and a rubbish clean up. The group also carried out reef rehabilitation efforts at existing coral nursery sites.
In June, SC Johnson, whom we are collaborating with this year, visited our team on the island. The collaboration involves microplastic sampling at 3 selected sites around Tioman Island. During this visit, we conducted activities such as Crown-of-Thorns (COTs) clean-up, building of “coral pots” and clean-up of the reef rehabilitation sites.
UPCOMING EVENTS
RCM has some exciting events happening in September. For those of you who happen to be in Malaysia, we’d love to have you come join us!
Our “Kod Blue, Laut Needs You!” for 2024 will take place on 7th September on Kampung Air Batang, Tioman Island, Malaysia. Hurry and book your spot to join us.
Our annual International Coastal Clean-up (ICC) will be taking place on 21st September 2024, in various locations around Malaysia, so if you’d like to join us, keep yourself free and register here. Meanwhile, take a look at our 2023 ICC and 2023 “Kod Blue, Laut Needs You” program highlights to get a glimpse of what to expect this year.
