Protect Coral Reefs in Malaysia

Last week, Reef Check Malaysia together with Department of Fisheries Malaysia conducted 2 EcoDiver course sessions (Reef Check EcoDiver course trains recreational scuba divers to conduct Reef Check surveys) to train and certify 18 officers from the Association of Diplomatic and Administrative Officers, Malaysia. Upon completion of the course, they conducted 4 Reef Check surveys around Tioman Island to collect data needed to assess the health of coral reefs.

The decision taken by the association to undergo this program is very welcome and encouraging as members of this service is in charge of planning, formulating and implementing national policies. By taking the course, they are able to better understand the importance, threats and need to protect and conserve coral reefs. It is hoped that the exposure and knowledge that they gained will help them to better plan, formulate and implement national policies related to the environment and management of coral reefs in Malaysia.

Recently Tioman Development Authority and Alam Flora organised a one-off recycling buy-back programme called Trash to Cash on Tioman Island. The recycling buy-back programme was well received by Tioman communities. Many peoples on the island brought their recyclable items to the recycling buy-back centre, sold them and gained cash in return. Although there is an on-going recycling programme on Tioman Island which is run by Reef Check Malaysia, it is limited to glass, plastic bottles, aluminium cans and e-wastes due to limited resources and the distance of the island from mainland. The recent recycling buy-back programme included other recyclable items such as used cooking oils, papers, cardboards, irons, alloys, steels, leads and coppers. Reef Check Malaysia is going to approach Tioman Development Authority and Alam Flora and find way to turn this one-off recycling buy-back programme into a regular programme on the island.