Protect Coral Reefs in Malaysia

Our team has been actively training and organising training sessions for various stakeholders, equipping them with new dive-related skills.

In the Mersing group of islands, we recently organised an Open Water Dive course for 6 representatives from the local community. All 6 are now certified SCUBA divers, bringing the total of local divers to 10! These islanders will now be able to gear up for advanced training in marine conservation and rehabilitation efforts, such as getting certified as EcoDivers.

EcoDivers are certified divers who then obtain an EcoDiver license, which enables them to carry out Reef Check surveys within the Indo Pacific region. The data collected during these surveys is used to assess the health of coral reefs. To be an EcoDiver, these divers need to have good buoyancy skills, and to have at least 25 logged dives, among other pre-requisites. During the course, they will learn how to identify fish, invertebrate and substrate (type of corals) as well as impact to reefs.

In Malaysia, Reef Check Malaysia (RCM) conducts these annual surveys in more than 200 sites across Malaysia. Our EcoDivers are volunteer divers, and we're glad to have the local community we work with showing interest and coming on board with our efforts. Our survey data is published as a report every year, made available on our website.

Besides the Open Water Dive course, our colleagues from RCM conducted an Eco-Diver Training with the local communities from Kg. Tajau Laut and Kg. Malubang, Kudat. Organized by Sabah Parks, this training aims to empower divers from the two villages to participate in reef conservation efforts and monitor the health of their marine ecosystems. We’ve conducted similar trainings for other local community members from other islands, and these representatives were able to join us for activities such as reef rehabilitation and Reef Check surveys.

Other than that, RCM also carried out a Coral Bleaching Monitoring Training with representatives from Sabah Parks as well as the Borneo Marine Research Institute (BMRI) from Universiti Malaysia Sabah. This training was held in response to the NOAA Coral Reef Watch Satellite Bleaching Alert. Sessions included a detailed look at bleaching as well as understanding of the coral bleaching watch protocol, to consistently monitor coral reefs affected by the rising water temperature.

Collaboration with organizations like Sabah Parks and the BMRI suggests a comprehensive approach involving research, conservation, and management of coral reef ecosystems in the region. Meanwhile, participation and enthusiasm shown by the local islanders and communities encourage us to keep working alongside them, empowering them to be guardians of the precious ecosystems at their doorstep.