Protect Coral Reefs in Malaysia

The Reef Check EcoDiver course trains scuba diver volunteers on conducting Reef Check surveys. Recently, we trained and certified 3 Sabah Park officers and 6 divers from local communities around Semporna as EcoDiver. With the completion of the course, they are now able to participate in our Reef Check surveys (and any other Reef Check surveys within the Indo-Pacific region) to collect data needed to assess the heath of coral reefs.

The Reef Check EcoDiver course combines education with action to give scuba diver volunteers a unique experience while taking an active role in conserving the world’s reefs. There are more than 200 permanent survey sites to be surveyed annually in Malaysia and each survey requires a team of 5 EcoDivers. There are only 4 staff in Reef Check Malaysia to cover all the survey sites. Training of volunteers and participation from these volunteers enable all permanent survey sites in Malaysia surveyed yearly and allow different stakeholders (government officers, local communities, NGOs) working together to combat the crises affecting our reefs. 

Thank you for your donation. We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for supporting us during the GlobalGiving’s Climate Action Campaign. With your support, we raised a total of $1,108 and will be able to continue our work in protecting coral reefs in Malaysia.

In an effort to reduce greenhouse gases emissions into the atmosphere by business operators on islands in Malaysia, Green Fins and Green Hotel were introduced to them. Green Fins was introduced to dive operators on Perhentian, Redang, Lang Tengah, Tioman, Rawa, Sibu, Mabul, Mataking and Pom Pom islands, as well as dive operators at mainland Kota Kinabalu. Green Hotel was introduced to resort and chalet operators on Tioman Island.

Both Green Fins and Green Hotel approach encourage business operators to run their business in sustainable ways. Some of the Green Fins and Green Hotel criteria that act on climate change are:

• Company segregates wastes and recycles
• Company uses reusable containers and cutleries for meals
• Company uses environmental friendly cleaning products
• Company uses local products
• Company conducts clean-ups
• Company uses energy and water efficient technologies or techniques
• Company provides environmental training for staff
• Environmental education materials freely available for guests

Thank you very much once again for your donation and making this effort possible. From 19th to 23rd of April under the Climate Action campaign, for every donation that we receive there will be a 100% matching donation from GlobalGiving. We will be very grateful if you can donate to us during that period. Thank you very much.