Protect Coral Reefs in Malaysia

Recently, we have organised an outdoor boat excursion for 31 students and 4 teachers from SMK Pengerang Utama, Johor. This programme aims to expose the students to the uniqueness of the mangrove and seagrass ecosystem found in the south of Johor. During the tour, the students get the opportunity to explore and learn how each ecosystem provides ecosystem services that are important for the local economy and culture. The programme is a success with participation and support from PTSB Pengerang and MyKasih Foundation. A special thanks also go to Pejabat Pendidikan Daerah Kota Tinggi, who supported our ongoing marine awareness programme with SMK Pengerang Utama.

Recently we conducted a workshop on stranding and necropsy of turtles and marine mammals at Pulau Sibu and Pulau Tinggi in collaboration with Johor’s Department of Fisheries, Fisheries Research Institute (FRI) - Rantau Abang, and the MareCet Research Organization. This programme is also supported by MISC Group under the Heart of the Ocean corporate initiative.

Members from the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (Mersing), Marine Police, Malaysian Civil Defence Force (Mersing), and Tengah Island Conservation also participated in the programme along with the local communities.

The workshop covered both theoretical knowledge about the various turtle species and marine mammals found in Malaysian waters and practical exercises. Participants were engaged in a stranding simulation to learn the appropriate responses when a stranding incident occurs and also took part in a necropsy exercise involving a post-mortem examination of turtles to determine their causes of death.