October 30, 2025
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Reef Check Malaysia: Community Action and New Digital Tools

By Reef Check Malaysia

Reef Check Malaysia (RCM) provides us with this update on their activities over the past few months:

KOD BLUE: LAUT NEEDS YOU 2025

On September 21st, 35 volunteers joined the third annual Kod Blue event in Kampung Juara, taking part in both beach and underwater clean-ups. In just two hours, they collected 434.5 kg of trash—mostly plastic bottles, foam pieces, and ropes—and injected 198 Crown-of-Thorns starfish with vinegar to protect coral reefs. The villagers also hosted a Pasar Mesra Alam, where food was sold in paper packaging. 

Our Cintai Tioman colleague, Ella, conducted a demonstration for a few of our volunteers, who got to try our glass crushing machine. The machine turns glass bottles into sand for making “coral pots” used in our reef rehabilitation efforts in Tioman.

Volunteers cleaning up beach with trash bags and coral reef conservation efforts.
Group of volunteers participating in reef protection and marine ecosystem cleanup activity.
Diver inspecting a Crown-of-Thorns starfish during underwater reef survey.
A diver injecting a Crown-of-Thorns starfish with vinegar

HANDS-ON MARINE EDUCATION AND AWARENESS ACTIVITIES

RCM colleagues have been conducting education and awareness activities in several of our project locations. Our team in Kota Kinabalu conducted the following programs:

– A marine education session with three primary schools, including SK Pulau Gaya—the only island-based school in Kota Kinabalu. It was followed up by a visit to the Aquarium and Marine Museum at Universiti Malaysia Sabah, which included a guided walk through the exhibits.

– A session with 200 new students at Likas Vocational College, where our colleague Nadhirah introduced Reef Check Malaysia and its programs, explained the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and highlighted how Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) supports these goals in building a sustainable future.

In the Mersing group of islands, our colleagues conducted two community awareness programs to promote local marine conservation. Over 100 visitors visited Reef Check Malaysia’s exhibition booth to learn about local initiatives.

In the South of Johor, 129 students attended an awareness session on coral reefs, mangroves, and seagrass through interactive demonstrations. Fifty of them then joined us in the International Coastal Cleanup collecting 430 kg of marine debris (4,571 items). As a follow-up, students will repurpose some of the waste to create a marine debris replica, turning cleanup efforts into a creative learning project.

Meanwhile, in a separate program, 31 students established a mangrove nursery, planting 50 propagules. These seedlings will be nurtured for several months before being transplanted along the coastline, allowing students to actively contribute to mangrove restoration.

Colorful marine-themed educational display at Reef Check event for ocean conservation awareness.
Demonstrating the “Catch and Release” game during a school program in Kota Kinabalu
Volunteers sorting marine debris on a sandy beach for reef conservation efforts.
Students sorting out rubbish collected during the beach clean-up
A group of students and educators learn about coral reef ecosystems and conservation initiatives at an educational display.
RCM staff showing the students around the UMS aquarium
Children participating in reef conservation education program outdoors.
Mangrove propagules planting session

WASTE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM AND CMCG SKILLS TRAINING IN SEMPORNA

Since its launch in March 2025, the waste management program on Selakan Island has involved 40 households in a community-led waste collection and segregation system. So far, 1,339 kg of waste has been prevented from polluting the surrounding marine ecosystem, with segregated waste sent to the mainland for proper disposal. The Selakan Marine Conservation Group led the implementation and coordination, gaining valuable hands-on experience in managing community-based projects.

Meanwhile, several members of our Community Marine Conservation Groups (CMCGs) in Semporna have been building new skills through several training sessions, including:

1. Rescue Diver Certification – Enhances members’ safety awareness and strengthens their ability to carry out marine conservation work.

2. Drone Training – Equips members with the skills to operate drones for upcoming sea patrols in Mabul, expanding the patrolling efforts from Selakan Island.

3. Community Education and Public Awareness (CEPA) Workshop – Prepares members to take the lead in education and awareness activities on their islands, continuing RCM’s outreach efforts independently.

Reef Check coral reef conservation program with community members recycling waste.
Several bins placed around the village for waste segregation
Participants learning how to operate a drone
Participants learning how to operate the drone

NEW FEATURES AND REPORTS ON REEF CHECK MALAYSIA’S WEBSITE

We’ve just rolled out some exciting new features on our website! We now have an option for our visitors to explore an interactive map showing real-time data on the health of Malaysia’s coral reefs and download our marine education modules specially designed for primary school students. Dive in and start exploring today!

We’ve also released several new reports which you can find by clicking the links below:
1. Local Community-Based Marine Management and Conservation in Malaysia

2. Islanders Squeezed Out by Mainland Boatmen (featured in Macaranga)

3. The 4th Global Coral Bleaching Event in Malaysia: Insights, Outcomes and Paths Forwards