Reef Check Malaysia aims to enhance the local community’s skills in managing marine resources in the 13 islands off Mersing.
Reef Check Malaysia’s (RCM) Cintai Mersing team has begun training future conservation leaders among youth living on islands off Johor’s east coast.
The team, one of six created by the non-governmental organisation, aims to enhance the local community’s skills in managing marine resources in the 13 islands off Mersing.
“I wanted to learn how to better care for our marine environment, knowing that our marine ecosystem is a finite resource,” said participant Adilah Ahmad.
Funded by Star Foundation under its Star Social Impact Grant (SSIG) programme, the project has seen significant achievements.
Ten youths have received Open Water scuba diving certification.
“Becoming a skilful diver is crucial for conducting underwater conservation activities,” said Muhamad Helmy from Pulau Pemanggil, one of the Mersing islands.
“My best experience was the improvement I made in terms of buoyancy, which greatly enhanced my ability to carry out underwater cleanups.
“My favourite activities underwater are ghost net cleanups and coral predator removals.”
The youths are trained in reef rehabilitation, basic coral reef biology and ecology as well as threats facing coral reefs.
They have also gained hands-on experience planting over 100 coral fragments and conducting eight coral bleaching surveys.
“We want to equip the youth with the knowledge to care for their surroundings.
“That is why, in addition to scuba diving certification, we also train them on ways to care for coral reefs,” said programme manager Nazirul Amin.
This project builds upon the existing Heart of the Ocean programme which has supported Cintai Mersing since its start.
Participants also receive training in installing mooring buoys, removing coral predators and conducting underwater as well as beach cleanups.
To date, the team has installed four mooring buoys, cleared more than 100kg of marine debris from reefs and removed 21 crown-of-thorns starfishes.
“We hope to equip local youth with enough knowledge and skills to be the next marine conservation leaders that can protect Mersing islands’ marine biodiversity,” Nazirul added.
