Mars Coral Reef
Restoration

Reef Check Malaysia is part of the worldwide Reef Check network. Registered in Malaysia in 2007 as an NGO, Reef Check Malaysia's early work was focused on coral reef monitoring and island-based educational programs. Today, they monitor over 300 coral reefs annually around the country and are actively involved in marine environment management and conservation efforts. 

In October 2023, a 10-day physical training on MARRS Assisted Reef Restoration System was conducted in Selakan Island by MSS trainers from Indonesia. 7 members of the Reef Check Malaysia team were successfully trained in Reef Star fabrication and installation and at the end the training, 290 Reef Stars were installed, outplanting over 4,000 coral fragments at the damaged reef of Selakan Island. 

During this event,  the Reef Check Malaysia and MSS teams witnessed invaluable participation of the Selakan community from different backgrounds and ages, especially during the preparation which involved sand coating the Reef Star, tying the coral fragments and deploying the Reef Star to the selected sites. Additionally, the MARRS competency training included a coral awareness talk and social survey training to obtain the perception of the local community on coral restoration efforts in Selakan.