Young people are playing a crucial role in protecting the marine ecosystem, specifically in reviving coral reefs at Mabul Island in Sabah’s East coast Semporna district. Members of Pemimpin Belia Iklim Mabul, a youth empowerment and climate activist NGO, have been diligently preparing for the installation of 100 reef stars as part of their coral restoration initiative.
The coral reefs in Mabul are experiencing both local and global challenges, including issues like pollution, anchoring impacts, and nutrient discharge. According to Reef Check Malaysia (RCM) programme manager Adzmin Fatta, the coral reefs in Mabul are still in poor condition based on the Reef Health Status Report 2023 published by RCM.
“There is a lot that can be done to safeguard the reefs and ensure the sustainability of the island, but action must be taken now. In addition to ongoing monitoring of the marine habitat in Mabul, efforts are being made to cultivate marine conservation leaders among the local residents through community-based coral restoration projects,” Adzmin stated.
Members from the Pemimpin Belia IKLIM Mabul group. (Photo courtesy of Reef Check Malaysia)
Reef stars, a coral restoration technique adopted from the Mars Assisted Reef Restoration System (MARRS) in Indonesia, are being utilized. The deployment process involves coating the stars with rust converter, resin, and sand to prevent rusting and mimic underwater substrate for coral attachment. Each reef star will hold 15 coral fragments, and during deployment, all reef stars will be interconnected in a process called web building.
Nur Aina Ghalib, a member of Pemimpin Belia Iklim Mabul certified in the MARRS Reef Star method, expressed enthusiasm for the project, stating that it has been a valuable learning experience for all involved. Another member, Razlan Razak, highlighted the improvement in his knowledge and skills since participating in the coral restoration initiative.
IKI Small Grants Programme, funded by the German government to combat climate change, has supported the coral restoration efforts in Mabul. Local partners like Seahorse Sipadan Scuba and Green Semporna have also contributed to the cause. Seahorse Sipadan Scuba CEO Mad Zafar Mad Zahala emphasized the importance of the restoration efforts due to Mabul’s popularity among snorkeling enthusiasts.
Adzmin mentioned the continuous focus on empowering the local community, encouraging them to take ownership of the sustainability of their island. Villagers have already taken the initiative to organize island-wide clean-up efforts with support from the District Office, removing nearly 10,000kg of waste. He emphasized the potential impact of further resources being provided for such activities.
In addition to coral restoration, RCM is currently conducting regular bleaching monitoring as preparation for an anticipated coral bleaching event this year. The emphasis remains on addressing existing challenges while engaging and empowering the local community for long-term sustainability efforts.
