‘Better management needed to improve marine ecosystems of islands in Johor’

Reef Check Malaysia personnel conducting surveys on a reef at one of the islands in Mersing, Johor.

REEF Check Malaysia (RCM) is generating greater awareness of the stress impacting coral reefs and other marine ecosystems around the Johor islands.

RCM general manager Julian Hyde said it had been conducting surveys of Johor’s coral reefs since 2007, and covered 27 sites around the islands in 2020.

“The early focus was on coastal islands like Pulau Sibu and Pulau Tinggi. But in recent years, the programme has been extended to cover those further in distance, namely Pulau Pemanggil, Pulau Aur and Pulau Dayang.

“The survey data show that coral reefs around the islands are in reasonable condition, with an average live coral cover of 48%, which is considered ‘fair’.

“But that average masks a wide range, with some sites showing high impacts from, for example, pollution,” he noted when contacted.

In the case of Johor’s islands, Hyde explained, many of the problems could be addressed through good management.

“Problems include poor water quality caused by pollution from sewage and other land-based sources like agriculture, as well as low herbivore population such as algae-eating fish due to overfishing.

“Another issue is the physical impacts that break corals and reduce reef structural integrity arising from boat use, anchors and tourists standing on corals,” he said.

RCM is currently working with various local stakeholders to address these issues and protect the fragile ecosystems of these island for future generations.

“This includes providing training to snorkelling guides so that they know not to use anchors, dissuading tourists from feeding bread to fish and standing on corals as well as teaching them to snorkel correctly.

“We are also conducting programmes to help resorts reduce their impact and make changes, such as having better sewage treatment systems, using eco-friendly cleaning products and reducing energy and water consumption,” Hyde added.

He pointed out that fishing activities could also be managed through engagement, consultation, awareness and enforcement.

RCM is also part of a team that is working to achieve the “Sustainable Destination” status for Mersing based on the Global Sustainable Tourism Council Sustainable Destination standard.

“This initiative is managed by the Mersing District Council,” Hyde said, adding that RCM planned to develop a tourism market in Mersing that was profitable for local businesses, sensitive to the needs of local communities and protective of its islands’ ecosystems. — By REMAR NORDIN