Garmin Malaysia has successfully concluded its partnership with Reef Check Malaysia, aimed at removing ghost nets from Malaysian waters with the assistance of local communities. This initiative, which ran from March to September 2024, resulted in the removal of 755 kilograms of ghost nets, significantly surpassing the initial target of 100 kilograms.
As part of this initiative, Garmin pledged RM100 for every kilogram of ghost nets collected, aiming to raise a total of RM10,000. The dedication of Reef Check Malaysia and the involvement of local communities on islands such as Pulau Besar, Pulau Aur, Pulau Pemanggil, Pulau Sibu, and Pulau Tinggi were crucial to this success.Sheena Sim, Marketing Lead at Garmin Malaysia, stated, "Garmin has always been committed to sustainability... Through this collaboration, we aim to not only support crucial conservation efforts but also to inspire our community to engage in practices that safeguard our environment for future generations."
Reef Check Malaysia trained 10 local islanders to conduct underwater clean-ups, empowering the community to actively participate in marine conservation and raising awareness about marine ecosystems.Julian Hyde, CEO of Reef Check Malaysia, remarked, "The collaboration with Garmin Malaysia brings funding to the island teams... This enhances the effect that our small team can have in dealing with multiple marine conservation problems – not just ghost nets, but other challenges."
In addition to removing ghost nets, Garmin upcycled the collected materials into functional products such as a sleek clutch in partnership with The Sea Monkey Project. This approach exemplifies Garmin's holistic strategy towards sustainability by transforming ocean waste into valuable items.Carlos Steenland, Co-Founder of The Sea Monkey Project, expressed excitement about collaborating with a global brand like Garmin to scale up efforts for positive social and environmental impacts.
As the partnership concludes, both Garmin Malaysia and Reef Check Malaysia are optimistic about future collaborations to contribute further to the health and sustainability of Malaysia's marine ecosystems. Sheena Sim noted, "We're optimistic that this is just the beginning... Our goal is to continue contributing to the protection of Malaysia's marine ecosystems."
