Reef Check Malaysia

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Reef Check Malaysia An organisation committed to healthy oceans. There are some 3,600 km2 of reef around the country, including fringing reefs and offshore islands.

We create impact by partnering with local communities, government agencies and the private sector to protect and conserve marine ecosystems. Malaysia is part of the “Coral Triangle”, the area of the world’s oceans recognized by scientists as having the highest biodiversity. Coral reefs therefore represent an economically important ecosystem and are the foundation of a significant percentage of the country’s tourist industry. Over 350 species of hard coral have been identified in Malaysian waters. However, a lack of comprehensive management programmes is leading to degradation of this important economic resource. This situation is exacerbated by inadequate information on the status and location of the reefs, further hindering management efforts. In 2001, Reef Check Foundation appointed a National Coordinator for Malaysia, to promote Reef Check and carry out training and surveys. While there were some successes, lack of funding and support prevented the coordinator from having a major impact on marine conservation in Malaysia. In 2006, the British Government provided funding for a one year project to establish a more sustainable Reef Check programme in Malaysia. That project culminated with the registration of Reef Check Malaysia Bhd as a non-profit company in August 2007.

16/10/2026

We’ve started our coral rehabilitation programme in Mantanani! 🪸

Together with our newly trained Mantanani Marine Conservation Group ( ), we successfully deployed four coral rehabilitation frames, with 100 coral fragments attached to the structures to support their growth.

Kudos to the team for taking this important step towards restoring Mantanani’s coral reefs! 💙



𝗘𝗻𝗷𝗼𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗮𝘂𝘁𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗳𝘀 𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗼 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗮 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺.This year, three dive operators in M...
15/10/2026

𝗘𝗻𝗷𝗼𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗮𝘂𝘁𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗳𝘀 𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗼 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗮 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺.

This year, three dive operators in Mersing were assessed and received Green Fins recognition. Through the assessment, operators reviewed their operational practices and identified ways to reduce the impact of diving activities on coral reefs.

Want to know which Green Fins operators are available at a particular destination? The list of recognised and certified operators can be found on the Green Fins website (https://greenfins.net/). For the Johor Islands in Mersing, three operators are currently listed as certified Green Fins members.

Thank you to all the operators who are willing to improve the way they operate. We hope more dive operators in Mersing will join this effort in the future.

Cintai Kepulauan Mersing

13/10/2026

It’s time for our CMCGs in Kunak and Larapan to take the next step in their training journey: EcoDiver training! 🌊

Through this training, CMCG members will learn how to conduct Reef Check surveys and contribute to data collection on the health of our coral reefs. This knowledge will help them play a more active role in monitoring and protecting their local marine ecosystems.

This joint EcoDiver training for our CMCGs is made possible with the support of Yayasan Hasanah and Kementerian Kewangan and also Ocean Community Empowerment and Nature Grants Programme - OCEAN. Thank you for helping strengthen community-led reef conservation!



A joint sea patrol was recently conducted around Larapan Island, bringing together Reef Check Malaysia, the Larapan Isla...
10/10/2026

A joint sea patrol was recently conducted around Larapan Island, bringing together Reef Check Malaysia, the Larapan Island Community Protocol Committee (JPKPL), Larapan Marine Conservation Group ( ), RELA, community members and the Marine Police.

The patrol encountered fishers and a purse seine boat, providing opportunities to raise awareness of marine resource management, crime prevention at sea and compliance with fisheries regulations. An abandoned boat was also entrusted to the community for safekeeping.

The successful patrol highlights the importance of collaboration between local communities and enforcement agencies in protecting marine resources and improving safety in Larapan Island’s waters. 🌊

Over time, more tourism operators in Mersing are looking at how they can make their operations more environmentally frie...
09/10/2026

Over time, more tourism operators in Mersing are looking at how they can make their operations more environmentally friendly.

Throughout 2026, we worked with six resort and chalet operators on the Mersing mainland and across the Mersing Islands through the Green Hotel Assessment. Three joined the assessment for the first time, while the other three returned for their second year.

Thank you to all the operators who were willing to learn, try new approaches and improve their practices. Change takes time, but consistent effort helps move operations in a more sustainable direction.

Cintai Kepulauan Mersing

Before plastic reaches our oceans, every effort to keep it out matters. 🌊That idea also connects with iFAST Pay Malaysia...
07/10/2026

Before plastic reaches our oceans, every effort to keep it out matters. 🌊

That idea also connects with iFAST Pay Malaysia’s upcoming iFAST Global Card, designed using ocean-recycled plastic as part of its sustainability story.

At Pantai Bagan Lalang, Sepang, the team put that message into action.

As our Silver ICC Sponsor, iFAST Pay Malaysia brought together 97 iFAST employees, led by Ms Demi Chan, General Manager of iFAST Pay Malaysia, for the International Coastal Cleanup.

Despite the haze and rain, the team cleaned a large stretch of coastline and collected an impressive 270 kg of waste, including:
🚬 743 cigarette butts
🧴 237 pieces of plastic and foam
🛍️ 129 plastic bags

For us at Reef Check Malaysia, partnerships like this help connect sustainability messages with action on the ground - from the choices behind everyday products to collective efforts to protect our coastlines and marine environment.

Thank you, iFAST Pay Malaysia, for supporting and helping make a meaningful difference to our beaches and oceans. 💙

Our Reef Check survey in Lahad Datu found that most survey sites were showing damage caused by Crown-of-Thorns starfish ...
05/10/2026

Our Reef Check survey in Lahad Datu found that most survey sites were showing damage caused by Crown-of-Thorns starfish (COTs). COTs have continued to be a problem for our reefs, especially in Sabah, this year.

Approximately 418 COTs were injected with a vinegar solution at three sites together with Sabah Parks. However, the team observed many more COTs in the deeper sections of the reefs but could not reach them all during the dive.

Thank you to Kunak Darvel Marine Conservation Group ( ), Sabah Parks and our volunteer EcoDiver for joining us for this Reef Check survey.

If you see COTs while diving, report them to us!

A big thank you to CIMB Islamic for not only supporting our work, but also taking the time to join us on the ground and ...
03/10/2026

A big thank you to CIMB Islamic for not only supporting our work, but also taking the time to join us on the ground and get involved in conservation efforts. 💙

The team visited Kador, one of the more challenging sites for beach cleanups in Tioman Island, where employees worked together to clear marine debris, collecting a total of 138 kg of trash. Among the top items collected were plastic bottles, styrofoam, rubber pieces and fishing gear.

They also joined our team for maintenance work at a coral rehabilitation site that they're supporting. Their divers helped remove algae from the rehabilitation structures and successfully removed 14 crown-of-thorns starfish (COTS), giving the corals more room to grow and thrive.

We truly appreciate CIMB Islamic for showing up, getting involved and contributing their time and effort to these conservation activities. Support like this goes beyond the project site, helping turn conservation efforts into meaningful action on the ground.

Thank you for being part of the journey. Here’s to cleaner beaches, healthier reefs and more positive action together! 🌊

Address

Suite 5. 19-5. 22, Box 606, Wisma Central, Jalan Ampang
Kuala Lumpur
50450

Opening Hours

Monday 09:00 - 17:00
Tuesday 09:00 - 17:00
Wednesday 09:00 - 17:00
Thursday 09:00 - 17:00
Friday 09:00 - 17:00

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