Reef Check Malaysia

Get to know four islands in Mersing: Sibu, Tinggi, Aur, and Pemanggil.

Pulau Sibu and Pulau Tinggi offer a glimpse into a side of the Mersing Islands that is deeply connected to village life, nature, and the local communities.

Pulau Sibu is known for its peaceful atmosphere, rows of coconut trees, expansive grassy fields, and a close-knit community that remains deeply connected to its natural surroundings.

Pulau Tinggi is rich in stories, traditions, and village life. Once known as General's Hat Island by Chinese sailors, the island is also home to natural attractions, including lush forests and waterfalls.

Pulau Aur and Pulau Pemanggil each have their own distinctive landscapes, communities, and local histories.

Pulau Aur is known for its crystal-clear waters, a community whose way of life remains closely tied to the sea, and its unique identity associated with buluh aur.

Pulau Pemanggil, on the other hand, offers a more secluded escape, with limited access and local folklore that has become part of the island's identity. One of its most iconic landmarks is Batu Buau, a granite rock formation rising more than 200 metres above the sea.

Through this filming session with Pineapple Studio, the unique character of each island will be showcased in a new pamphlet and website, helping more people discover the beauty and experiences of the Mersing Islands. Stay tuned!

Cintai Kepulauan Mersing UNDP Malaysia

After completing their EcoDiver training, the new members put their skills into practice by joining our team in conducting a Reef Check survey around Mantanani.

During the survey, they observed approximately 5% recent coral mortality (RKC) across all survey sites, particularly among branching corals. Based on the survey findings, this may be linked to disease, as neither Crown-of-Thorns Starfish (COT) nor Drupella—two common coral predators—were recorded during the surveys.

While these observations highlight the challenges facing our reefs, they also underscore the importance of regular monitoring and community involvement in marine conservation. By equipping local communities with the knowledge and skills to understand the health of their reefs, we can detect changes early and work together to protect these valuable ecosystems.

This programme is supported by Yayasan Hasanah and Kementerian Kewangan

160 kg of ghost nets removed from Pulau Besar in a single operation!

Now imagine ghost nets becoming entangled in more remote islands or reefs that are rarely monitored. The longer they are left behind, the greater the damage they can cause to coral reefs, marine life, fisheries, and even tourism.

That's why early reports from local communities and ocean users are so important.

If you spot a ghost net or abandoned fishing gear caught on a coral reef, report it to the relevant authorities or organisations. Early information helps ensure action can be planned and carried out as quickly as possible.

Huge thank you to Julia & Aisyah for adopting a Shape of Hope through the Adopt seKarang programme! The metal structure with coral fragments they have adopted has been safely tagged in Redang and we hope they continue to grow healthily 🪸

Your contribution not only help to support the conservation of our marine ecosystem but also the work of our CMCGs.

You can now adopt a coral in Redang or Semporna! Once you’ve chosen your coral's location, our amazing Community Marine Conservation Groups (CMCGs) will plant it for you and keep you updated as it grows and thrives.

Visit our 'Adopt seKarang' page on our website to learn more and start your coral adoption journey today (link in bio 🔗)

Adopt one for you or for your loved ones and help our reefs and community to thrive 💙

We have been doing Reef Check surveys at Tokong Sanggul and Pulau Mertang, and now continuing around Pulau Aur and Pulau Pemanggil.

The information collected helps us understand whether the condition of the coral reefs is improving, becoming more affected, or requires further attention.

With sea temperatures becoming increasingly concerning in the region, we hope Mersing’s coral reefs will remain in good condition and not be affected by severe heat stress which will lead to

Remember, if you see bleached corals, report it to [email protected]!

Thank you to Pejabat Perikanan Negeri Johor for supporting our conservation work in Mersing.


Kepulauan Mersing

Welcome to the AICB-RCM Marine Education Programme! 🌊

We kicked off the programme at Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Pulau Gaya, located between villages on the eastern side of Pulau Gaya and just a quick five-minute boat ride away.

Our team delivered a coral reef talk to 80 enthusiastic students from Years 4, 5, and 6, introducing them to what coral reefs are, how they grow, why they’re important, and the threats they face.

The session also included fun interactive activities like “Yes or No” questions and coral growth form identification, helping to test and strengthen their understanding. The students were energetic, engaged, and eager to participate throughout!

Next up: mangroves! Stay tuned for more from the programme

𝟯𝟱𝟮 𝗸𝗴 𝗼𝗳 𝗴𝗵𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗻𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵!

Throughout May, a total of 352 kg of ghost nets was removed from several areas in Mersing waters, including Pulau Dayang, Pulau Aur, Pulau Mertang, Pulau Hujung, Pulau Tengah and Pulau Besar.

The number is significant, but what is harder to accept is the condition of the coral reefs that have had to bear the impact.

Underwater, an entangled net is not just “waste”. It can break coral structures, trap marine life, and slowly damage areas where fish breed, seek shelter and find food.

This activity is not only about the amount of net that was successfully removed. It reminds us that when coral reefs are affected, marine life and the communities who depend on marine resources are affected too.

Thank you to Pejabat Perikanan Negeri Johor for supporting our conservation work in Mersing.

A big thank you to .conservationist for adopting a Fragment of Life through the Adopt seKarang programme! The coral fragment they have adopted has been safely tagged in Redang and we hope they continue to grow healthily 🪸

Your contribution not only help to support the conservation of our marine ecosystem but also the work of our CMCGs.

You can now adopt a coral in Redang or Semporna! Once you’ve chosen your coral's location, our amazing Community Marine Conservation Groups (CMCGs) will plant it for you and keep you updated as it grows and thrives.

Visit our 'Adopt seKarang' page on our website to learn more and start your coral adoption journey today (link in bio 🔗)

Adopt one for you or for your loved ones and help our reefs and community to thrive 💙