Reef Check Malaysia engages young islanders to look after coral reefs off Semporna

 By Olivia Miwil - March 9, 2023 @ 10:21am

Reef Check Malaysia roped in youngsters off Semporna Island to become marine conservation leaders. - Pic courtesy of Adzmin Fatta/Reef Check

SEMPORNA: Young islanders off Semporna have been roped into becoming marine conservation leaders by non-governmental organisation(NGO) Reef Check Malaysia.

Supported by CIMB Foundation, the NGO conducted a series of training that focused on coral reef restoration and preservation around Semporna waters.

The series began by certifying 30 islanders from Larapan and Mabul for open water and advanced open water qualification.

Reef Check Malaysia programme manager Adzmin Fatta said the diving certification was the first step to enable the youth to participate in a long-term mission for coral reef protection.

Throughout this year, they will be trained to monitor coral reef health by becoming part of EcoDiver.

"Unfortunately for many of the islands, threats such as unsustainable fishing has reduced the number of available coral reefs.

"Unsustainable tourism also contributed to the expansion of development as well as overcrowding the sensitive areas of coral reefs which in turn degraded the quality of the coral reef habitat," he said.

Adzmin hopes that the training would not only equip youth with skills relevant to coral reef conservation but also produce leaders from the community who can spearhead the protection of coral reefs and the neighboring habitats and lives within.

"These future leaders will lead a more sustainable lifestyle in their home island.

"Ultimately, these groups of youth from 16 years old to their early 30s can soon represent their community as decision makers who know what is best for the future generation of the island."