TIMEPIECE company Ball Watch has launched an “Adopt-A-Reef" campaign to raise awareness on ocean conservation efforts in Sabah.
The campaign is organised in partnership with Reef Guardian. It aims to support marine conservation research within the Sugud Islands Marine Conservation Area (Simca) in Sabah, Malaysia.
Set within the Sulu Sea Region, Simca spans 46,317 hectares and includes the Lankayan, Billean and Tegaipil islands.
It is home to at least 600 species of reef fish, 300 species of corals, six species of giant clams, two species of sea turtles, and 26 species of seagrass and algae.
On May 19 this year, Simca was recognised globally as a well-managed Protected Area. It became an International Union Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Green List Site. This makes it the first in Malaysia and the Coral Triangle Countries.
This positive outcome is the long-term commitment of Reef Guardian and stakeholders. With local governments, NGOs, and local communities, they have ensured the reefs within Simca are some of the most protected in Sabah.
Partners in this campaign are Reef Guardian, a private and not-for-profit company that the state government appointed to manage Simca in collaboration with the Sabah Wildlife Department in 2003.
Since 2004, the reefs around Lankayan Island have been protected from further destruction and marine threats, like fish bombing.
Also, since 2019, Reef Guardian research scientists have annually surveyed more than 35 submersible reefs around the Lankayan and Billean Islands to track coral reef health, and record reef fishes and coral diversity.
The survey data collected have been shared globally to prove the efficacy of marine conservation investments.
The Adopt-A-Reef Campaign will support the Reef Guardian’s efforts in coral reef research, marine conservation training and outreach programmes.
Reef Guardian will also hold hands-on field activities with partners and stakeholders to advance the understanding of the marine conservation challenges in Simca.
According to Evelyn Wang, general manager of Ball Watch Malaysia, “Reef Guardian proves that ocean conservation is a necessary investment of resources.
"Together with the commitment of local governments and organisations, we are proud to play our part in ensuring the reefs within Simca are well protected.”
First on the agenda is the year-long adoption of a reef that will be selected and named after Ball Watch Malaysia to symbolise its contribution to Simca.
Proposed for this adoption is Reef 38, discovered in 2006 by Reef Guardian lead marine biologist and adviser Dr Achier Chung. Reef 38 is among the most pristine submerged reefs around Lankayan Island.
The medium-sized reef is about 4km northwest of Lankayan Island. It is a famous dive site that beautifully captures the wonder of the underwater world with its high diversity of fish and corals.
“Tropical coral reefs are known as the rainforests of the sea because of the vast diversity of flora and fauna in this marine ecosystem. The hard corals create habitats that act as shelters, feeding grounds and nurseries for millions of marine life.
The existence of the coral reef ecosystem allows marine biodiversity to flourish and be resilient, leading to adaptation to environmental changes, which can prevent species extinction.
Simca is the first privately managed marine protected area in Malaysia. The IUCN Green Site listing was a milestone for us and shows that all our efforts have come to fruition over the years,” says Dr Chung. – The Vibes, December 6, 2022
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