Protect Coral Reefs in Malaysia

A couple of months ago, Reef Check Malaysia's team removed a total of 352kg of ghost nets from six areas across Mersing waters in Johor - Pulau Dayang, Pulau Aur, Pulau Mertang, Pulau Hujung, Pulau Tengah and Pulau Besar. In another clean-up effort, the team had removed 160kg of ghost nets in a single operation at Pulau Besar.

Ghost nets are abandoned or lost fishing nets that can continue “fishing” underwater long after they are no longer in use. When caught on reefs, they can break coral structures, entangle marine life and smother important habitats such as coral reefs and seagrass beds, creating wider impacts on fisheries, tourism and coastal communities. 

The scale of the problem highlights why early reports from local communities, fishermen, divers and other ocean users are so important. When ghost nets are spotted, reporting them to relevant authorities or conservation organisations can help teams respond before further damage occurs. In 2025 alone, RCM removed more than 3,000 kg of ghost nets from several project locations across Malaysia.

Every net removed is one less threat to our reefs and the marine life and communities that depend on them.

Our work in South Johor goes beyond raising awareness. We believe that when people understand the marine ecosystems around them, they should also have opportunities to take action to protect them. That is why our education programmes combine learning with hands-on conservation activities that encourage students and local communities to become active stewards of their coastal environment.

With students from SK Kampung Baru Pasir Gogok, our team conducted a seagrass nursery-based planting activity to introduce them to the importance of seagrass ecosystems and their role in the coastal environment.

The students discovered that seagrass meadows are found right in their own coastal area and explored three seagrass species collected from Sungai Johor. They then got their hands dirty, planting the seagrasses in baskets and tanks at their school. By caring for the nursery and monitoring the plants as they grow, the students can continue learning about these ecosystems long after the activity is over.

This hands-on experience helps turn knowledge into action, giving young learners a personal connection to the seagrass ecosystems in their community and a better understanding of why they are worth protecting.

This year, we also expanded our mangrove conservation efforts to include the Kampung Pasir Gogok community. Working alongside local community members, we established four mangrove nursery plots and planted 55 Rhizophora mucronata propagules.

More than just planting mangroves, the activity gave community members an opportunity to play a direct role in caring for their coastal environment. The enthusiasm and participation shown by the community reflected a growing sense of shared responsibility for protecting the ecosystems they live alongside.

To further raise awareness, we also installed a marine awareness signboard highlighting the unique marine ecosystems found in the area. The signboard serves as a reminder to both residents and visitors of the natural heritage around them and the importance of protecting it. These may be small steps, but together they help build a community that understands, values and takes action to protect its coastal environment for future generations.