The Issue:

Sabah’s coral reefs—among the most biodiverse marine ecosystems in the world—are under severe threat from warming seas, destructive fishing practices, pollution, and coastal development. Over 64% of Sabah’s reefs are at risk, impacting not only marine biodiversity but also the coastal communities who rely on them for food, income, and tourism. Despite growing interest in restoration, many current efforts are small-scale, fragmented, or lack the scientific monitoring needed to ensure long-term success. There is a critical need for scalable, science-based restoration efforts that meaningfully engage local stakeholders in protecting their marine environment.

 Grant Award Use:

ATCF funding will support the deployment of 20 coral reef restoration modules in strategic sites along Sabah’s coast, expanding a living laboratory where scientists, students, divers, and local stakeholders collaborate on coral rehabilitation. The grant will help subsidize conservation diving experiences for locals, train community members in reef restoration techniques, and provide monitoring tools to assess coral recovery. By combining tourism, education, and scientific practice, the project will build local capacity, raise awareness, and create a sustainable model for coral conservation that can be replicated in other regions.

 What Would a Successful Project Result In?

A successful project would result in measurable coral reef recovery at restoration sites, increased community engagement in marine conservation, and a replicable model where tourism directly supports ecosystem restoration and resilience.

In Their Words:

“We are incredibly excited and hopeful to have received the ATCF grant, as it enables us to address one of the biggest challenges of working in remote areas: finding passionate and skilled community members to join our efforts. This grant allows us to recruit and train more dedicated individuals, expanding the local pool of skilled ocean protectors. As a result, we can increase the reach and impact of our conservation work in places like Bira and Kota Kinabalu. The grant will support the propagation of resilient corals to help restore reefs that have suffered from increasingly severe heat waves in recent years. Ultimately, this grant strengthens our ecosystem by empowering local people to become skilled models of hope—individuals who inspire others and share their knowledge, sparking lasting environmental change within their own villages.” — Louisa, Gaia One