RMCG – The Silver Lining of Redang Island
While my trip was short in Redang, I managed to talk to a few young people on the island who are part of the Redang Marine Conservation Group, a group established through Cintai Redang by Reef Check Malaysia. I listened to their stories about the island, its issues, and the challenges they are facing. While it?seems,?they?are focused?on?the problems they have?on the island, I see that they are the silver lining.
I kept emphasizing that we need to change our perception?not just?by looking at the problems?but also at?the opportunities, which means every problem is an opportunity either to improve or to get better.?I spent most of my time talking and touring the island with Muhaimin, our Assistant Programme Manager and the right hand of Asma, our Programme Manager for Cintai Redang.
When Muhaimin told me about every?single?issue they faced, I listened?actively?while observing the?island's?situation. Honestly, the island is quite developed and advanced compared to other islands?we have?in Sabah. So, while Muhaimin was passionately talking, I told him that at least they have basic infrastructure that does not exist in inhabited islands in Sabah or Semporna.
He was quiet for a few seconds and responded,?
“I agree with you.?It’s?not that we are not grateful,?it’s?just that we want things to?be better. Being grateful and aiming for better are two different things.”?
Then he carried on talking about how Tioman is different from Redang.
So, what can be better?
The first is conservation.?Although Redang Island is a marine park, there are existing marine conservation issues that can be better addressed, of?course?with local community participation. Acknowledging the need for collaboration in conservation, the Redang Marine Conservation Group, Reef Check Malaysia, and the local government are doing more to protect the marine ecosystem, particularly the coral reefs.
It's amazing?to hear about the hard work this local conservation group is doing to rehabilitate damaged coral reefs. During my visit, I also assisted with?the deployment of?60 coral frame tables in one of their rehabilitation sites. The group has been well-trained in conservation diving skills?and works?alongside our Cintai Redang team to carry out this?awesome?effort.
I was informed that a few weeks prior, the team deployed mooring lines in Teluk Dalam to prevent boat strike incidents. This action was prompted by several instances where turtles were hit by propellers due to boat congestion in the area. This?also helps to promote safety for the snorkellers. I was also amazed to see many boats using it during my visit.
According to one of the RMCG members, Iman, approximately 40-50 boats visit the area for snorkeling, and they now use the mooring lines. Many also provided positive feedback to the team for installing it. So, I guess hard work paid off?
Despite coming from Semporna, I was actually surprised by the number of tourists visiting the island. During our informal discussion, someone said the number is probably less than 200 thousand?a year. But according to the locals, this number is underestimated and probably reached a million.
The tourism model on this island is not sustainable in the long run. Unsustainable practices from mass tourism have been contributing to the damage to the marine ecosystem.
According to the annual report of the reef check survey,?Redang's?live coral cover is at 34.32% in the fair category. From 2019 to 2021, the live coral cover has recovered (increased) from the Tropical Storm Pabuk. The recovery is?largely?contributed to by the less physical damage to the reefs?such?as from tourism (due to COVID) and the reduced population of the Crown of Thorns (COT).?
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But, 2022-2023 data shows that the live coral cover has deteriorated.
With the influx of tourists, the?island's?marine ecosystem will likely continue to deteriorate again this year, especially when we know that the mass coral bleaching event has?been declared.
I have seen snorkelling boats throwing bread to feed the fish.?This?attracts reef fishes such as damselfish, butterflyfish, parrotfish, rabbitfish, and fusiliers (that's?what I could ID from the surface). Fish feeding is detrimental to reef ecosystems as it promotes algae growth and alters?fish's?natural behaviours?such?as those who are supposed to clean our reefs but rely on snorkellers to feed them.
While we cannot deny that tourism has brought economic opportunities for the islanders and the nearby mainland communities, but with?large?and uncontrolled?volumes,?it would endanger the sustainability and the future of the island.
So, I totally understood the concern among these youths from RMCG whom I spent days with while?I was?on the island. They are concerned for their island and its resources, clearly showing a resounding hope that they will do everything to protect their island.
Redang Marine Conservation Group – the new hope?
So, they are the silver lining of this island. I am proud to see them in action in preserving their coral reefs.?This?is the purpose of Reef Check Malaysia setting up a community-based project there. It is a similar approach to what we have taken on other islands like Cintai Tioman, Cintai Mersing, Cintai Mantanani, and a few more.
To date, a total of 12 local islanders are part of the RMCG, and they?are now putting more effort into rehabilitating damaged reefs area (over 1500 coral fragments have?been saved) while raising awareness of the need to protect and better manage the island as well as its resources.
Reef Check Malaysia?through?Cintai Redang?Project is now supporting and mentoring?this local conservation group to do more for their islands.?In the years to come, we will definitely see more positive development for Redang. But of course, it will take lots of courage and hard work. But I personally believe that if everyone works together and contributes their part, we will achieve what we want.
It’s?a huge task and responsibility for our team in Cintai Redang, but I?am confident that Asma and Muhaimin?will be able to?pull it through.?They are?not only?working with local islanders?but also with?everyone, including tourism operators and the local government.
Link to their page : https://www.facebook.com/cintairedang
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