Fish Main Banner

Fish For The Future

Coral Reef
Fish For The Future pillar logo

Our oceans are an infinite source of wonder. However, the prevalence of unsustainable fishing practices in the seas around Langkawi have negatively impacted the marine biodiversity through habitat destruction. The Fish For The Future programmes seek to address threats and imbalances to marine ecosystems. Integral to these programmes are the recognition that all the different audiences need to benefit – nature, fisheries, fishers and tourism. We are also working with the Department of Fisheries and the state government to gazette the bay as a marine protected area to safeguard the coral reefs of the bay for the future.

In Partnership with

Indo-Pacific Humpback Dolphin
MareCet
MareCet logo white

MareCet is dedicated to marine mammal conservation and protection of their habitats through community awareness and education, conservation action, and policy advocacy on a government level. 

In addition to our partner activities, we are also assisting MareCet with funding for their flagship initiative, the Langkawi Dolphin Research, on Indo-Pacific Humpback Dolphins and Indo-Pacific Finless Porpoises. The project investigates the distribution, abundance, ranging patterns, social structure, behaviours and acoustic ecology of these marine mammals, as well as their interactions with humans.

marecet.org

Objectives & Achievements

The programme aims to address threats and imbalances in marine ecosystems, through enabling coral reefs and the marine life they support to thrive. Our initiatives take into account all stakeholders – nature, fishers and tourists. We are also working with the Department of Fisheries to help safeguard our precious coral reefs. 

/Coral%20Regeneration

Coral Regeneration

We’ve transplanted numerous coral frames and coral nubbins into Datai Bay reef to boost the coral population, as well as inserted 5 Artificial Reefs, and will continue to build on this. Artificial Reefs are large steel devices providing a haven for fish to feed and populate as well as a settlement site for coral larvae. The Coral Nursery and Fish Tank help to provide a regenerative environment for coral fragments broken off reefs by boats or other human activity. Here, guests can also learn about marine life in Datai Bay. The corals rescued are rehabilitated in the Coral Nursery for up to six months before they are replanted onto the artificial reefs.

/Fish%20Aggregating%20Device

Sustainable Fishing

We’re working with the Department of Fisheries Malaysia (DOF) to help us reach local fishers and work with them to adopt a whole-systems thinking on marine environments and to raise awareness of the benefits of sustainable fishing. The Artificial Reefs deployed at Datai Bay were designed to support sustainable fishing practices. Over 90 local head fishers have participated in engagement sessions with the DOF to promote sustainable fishing. 

/Dolphin%20Adoption

Adoption Programmes

In the Adopt A Coral programme, launched in February 2022, participants can adopt a vulnerable coral which is rehabilitated at our Coral Nursery and Fish Tank, and snorkel to plant corals onto the artificial reefs. Soon to be launched is Adopt A Dolphin with MareCet, where participants can adopt one of a selection of dolphins spotted regularly around Langkawi. All proceeds go towards supporting our NGO and social enterprise partners.

/Datai%20Bay

Other Effective Area- Based Conservation Measures (OECM)

In collaboration with Dorken Reef Resources (DRR), a team of marine biologists with broad experience in designing and deploying artificial reefs, Department of Fisheries Malaysia (DoF) and Fisheries Research Institute, we are working towards gaining Protected Area status under OECM (Other Effective area-based Conservation Measures) for Datai Bay. Together with our NGO partner, MareCet, we have identified a prime area within the bay and deployed a sonar recording buoy (in January 2024) to compile data and behaviours of Indo-Pacific Humpback Dolphin and other marine mammals, as part of our efforts to successfully attain Protected Area status.

Initiatives

activity-cover

Turtle Project

Datai Bay was once a site for turtles to nest (the last sighting prior to the year 2021 was in the late ‘90s). Since 2021, we have been working hard to regain the bay as a turtle-friendly beach by creating the right…

Learn More
activity-cover

Adoption Programmes

Choose between our programmes where all funds go directly towards the sustainability and conservation work of The Datai Pledge, with all proceeds shared equally amongst the four NGO and social enterprise partners.

Learn More
activity-cover

Coral Restoration Programme

Research indicates that although Malaysian reefs have a relatively high average level of live coral cover at 40.63%, a decline has been recorded over recent…

Learn More

The Four Pillars

Our programme is divided into four pillars,
each supporting the work of a designated NGO and social enterprise partner.

Water Drop on Leaf

To make our business operations sustainable and regenerate the environment and community.

Learn More
Dolphin jumping

To conserve coral reefs and marine life, and promote sustainable fishing.

In partnership with

MareCet logo white
Learn More
Great Hornbill in flight

To conserve Langkawi’s wildlife and regenerate the rainforests.

In partnership with

Gaia logo white
Learn More
Children playing at tree

To nurture youth’s appreciation of nature through environmental education.

In partnership with

Green Growth Asia Foundation logo white
Learn More