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Submitted by Reef Check Malaysia
Reef Check Malaysia (RCM) recently has made great strides in its community conservation efforts:
Tioman Marine Conservation Group (TMCG) Turns 10!
TMCG started as a pilot project in 2014 to engage local communities in conservation activities. An initial group of 10 recruits has since grown to over 80 full-time members, and TMCG is present in all seven villages on Tioman Island.
We have provided training in a variety of skills, from diving certification through reef surveys and ghost net removal to rehabilitation and other conservation actions. Members now participate in weekly conservation programs and are paid a small sum for their time.
Reef Check Malaysia CEO, Julian Hyde, shares our journey since the establishment of the TMCG and the replication of its success in this article.
Sabah Community Environmental Leadership Camp (Sabah CELC) 2025
This 8-day program was organized by Green Semporna (an NGO based in Semporna, Sabah) and RCM, with support from the Youth Environment Living Lab (YELL) and DHI Malaysia. A total of 36 participants from various regions across Sabah— as well as the Redang and Tioman Marine Conservation Groups from Peninsular Malaysia— attended the camp. With the theme “Resilient Communities & Ecosystems – Climate Change Adaptation,” the camp aimed to empower communities in addressing the challenges of climate change and strengthening ecosystem resilience. Participants were exposed to various knowledge and skills, including Resource Mapping & Community Project Statistics, Climate Crisis: Adaptation & Mitigation, Grant Writing & Climate Action Day Project Management.
The Pemimpin IKLIM Mabul group (a local Community Marine Conservation Group – CMCG) is among the 11 recipients of the Sabah CELC Mini Grant, along with the Tioman Marine Conservation Group (TMCG). They plan to implement a mini-project focusing on tackling the issue of fish bombing at Mabul Island, through sea patrolling and awareness activities.
Introducing Sustainable Tourism Programs in Sabah
In March, Reef Check Malaysia conducted an online workshop on its sustainable tourism programs, which include Green Hotels-based assessments, Green Fins, and the Eco-Friendly Snorkelling Guide. The workshop aimed to introduce these initiatives to various stakeholders in Sabah, with over 60 participants in attendance.
The session highlighted key marine tourism challenges and how these programs can help mitigate environmental impacts while promoting sustainable tourism practices. Through Green Hotels, Reef Check Malaysia supports accommodations in adopting eco-friendly operations. Green Fins provides best practices for dive operators, while the Eco-Friendly Snorkelling Guide educates tour guides on minimizing marine disturbance.
Our team then conducted a 4-day Eco-Friendly Snorkelling Guide Training in Semporna, aimed at equipping snorkelling guides with the knowledge and skills to promote responsible marine tourism. Over four days, participants learned about marine ecosystems, their importance, and best practices for protecting them during snorkelling activities. The training included theory sessions on marine conservation, practical exercises on guide briefings and mock snorkelling tours, as well as first aid training. Nineteen successfully completed the training and were certified as Eco-Friendly Snorkelling Guides. This initiative was supported by Green Fins and the Malaysia Red Crescent Society.
Working with Local Communities to Improve Reef Resilience
Following the mass bleaching event that took place in 2024, our colleagues in Tioman Island recently conducted a bleaching exercise with the residents of Kampung Tekek, Genting, and Salang. The exercise aimed to assess the level of coral bleaching and support the implementation of more effective management measures in efforts to conserve marine ecosystems. With a better understanding of coral reef resilience, local communities can play an important role in maintaining the sustainability of marine resources that are their main source of livelihood.
Hands-On Marine Education Activities
Towards the end of 2024, all students and teachers from a local school in the South of Johor, along with two volunteers, participated in a session to assess the growth of mangrove saplings and test water quality. The students learned about the different growth stages of a mangrove, best practices in maintaining a mangrove nursery with optimum conditions, as well as the use of certain equipment for water quality testing.
In February, 24 students from the same school, along with all teachers and three volunteers, participated in a mangrove planting session. After five months of nurturing the saplings in a nursery, they were now ready to be planted. A total of 70 healthy mangrove saplings were planted at a patchy mangrove area along the coast of Kampung Pasir Gogok, Johor. Some parents who were present joined in and learned about mangrove restoration efforts.
Community consultation sessions are a continuous effort to gather feedback from island stakeholders on RCM’s conservation initiatives in Mersing. These consultations are essential for enhancing programs that directly involve Mersing Islands communities. Discussions with the community covered topics such as community recycling efforts, past training programs, and future training needs for the community. The team has received positive feedback on the ongoing recycling program in Pulau Sibu, Pulau Tinggi and Pulau Aur. Community feedback and comments to improve the program were also recorded to improve the implementation of the program to encourage higher community participation.
