Protect Coral Reefs in Malaysia

Mantanani Island is located off the coast of Kota Belud, in the state of Sabah. Over the last few years, the island has increased in popularity among tourists, particularly due to its white beaches, crystal clear waters and diverse marine life. Howeve, due to the influx of tourists to the island, there has been an increase in the waste generated on the island. This led to improper management of trash on the island, a problem that persisted up to a few years ago. 

Reef Check Malaysia has been working on the island for a little more over 10 years. We have established a waste management system on the island which has been running well with the support and dedication of the local community. Over the last few years, we have established a team of local Mantanani community members tasked with collecting waste from each household based on their area. The collected waste is then transferred to the Segregation Area for further sorting and weighing.

Plastic and general trash are properly stored inside the ‘Pusat Kitar Semula Mantanani’ (Mantanani Recycling Centre)  while food waste is given to cows or used for the Kebun Komuniti (community farm). Once the segregation area is full, the waste will be transported to the landfill or recycling centre on the mainland.

While the older ones and adults have taken the responsibility to help keep their village clean, the younger generation has been actively attending the marine education conservation programs carried out by RCM staff on the island. Recently, we conducted two education programs in an effort to spread awareness about recycling and instil love for the marine environment among the younger generation: 

1. Kitar Semula Tanggungjawab Kita Semua (Recycling Is Our Responsibility)

2. Jungle Trekking (Flora and Fauna)

A total of 68 students joined the recycling awareness programme, where they learned about recycling and the 3R concept (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle). Meanwhile, 30 selected students participated in the Jungle Trekking (Flora and Fauna) programme, where they discovered the rich biodiversity in their own backyard and the importance of protecting the island they call home. It is our hope that this younger generation will be prepared to continue and take over the current responsibility to keep their island clean. It really takes a village to keep the island clean! 

Our marine ecosystems face a wide range of stressors and threats, both natural and human-induced. One significant natural threat is the Crown-of-Thorns starfish (COTs), a coral predator that feeds on coral polyps. When COT populations grow beyond their natural balance, outbreaks can occur, causing extensive damage to coral reefs. Reef Check Malaysia teams are trained to detect these outbreaks early so that immediate action can be taken. We use two methods to manage this issue: injecting COTs with vinegar, which humanely and effectively eliminates them, and manually removing them during dives. Removed COTs are then brought back to shore and buried to prevent further harm to the reef.

Over the past few months, our colleagues across several locations have responded to increasing sightings of this predator. On Pulau Aur, we conducted joint removal operations with divers from the Department of Fisheries Malaysia and the Mersing Marine Conservation Group (MMCG), resulting in the removal of 47 COTs. In Semporna, the Reef Check Malaysia team and the Larapan Marine Conservation Group (LMCG) carried out a similar effort, removing a whopping 1,073 COTs in a single month. This initiative required six dives, during which trained divers worked methodically to extract the COTs from the reef and safely dispose of them on land.

We are deeply grateful for the dedication of our Community Marine Conservation Groups, whose commitment and make these efforts possible. Members of these groups have undergone extensive training in conservation activities and continue to demonstrate strong commitment to protecting our marine environment. Their passion for protecting the marine environment, combined with your generous support, enables us and local island communities to respond swiftly to threats and safeguard the health of our marine ecosystems. Your contributions truly make a meaningful difference.