KOTA KINABALU: In a show of community spirit and environmental commitment, volunteers and environmentalists have successfully installed more than a thousand coral reef frames at Tun Mustapha Marine Park in Kudat, exceeding expectations in just three days.
The reef restoration initiative, launched on May 5, is part of a mission to plant 12,000 coral fragments and build 1,000 reef structures to celebrate the ninth anniversary of the park’s gazettement and to secure a spot in the Malaysia Book of Records.
Joined by 169 participants from higher learning institutions and agencies like Sabah Parks and Universiti Malaysia Sabah, the programme kicked off in Kg Tajau Laut with a marine biodiversity awareness talk and reef-building workshops.
By day one, 400 coral frames, artificial structures used to rehabilitate damaged reefs, were assembled.
Momentum grew on day two as 155 participants, including pupils from SK Landung Ayang, helped shape and prepare the reef structures for deployment.
On Wednesday, the volunteers smashed their target, successfully laying down 1,300 reef frames under the sea, thanks to the combined effort of over 180 participants and 20 expert divers who conducted underwater habitat assessments and gathered coral fragments for planting.
The programme runs until May 18, with more activities planned to engage the community and deepen understanding of reef ecosystems.
Pupils from SK St James Kudat and SK Muhibbah Kudat also joined to learn more about the marine environment.
