In Semporna, a coastal town in Sabah, Malaysia, children spend countless sun-soaked afternoons splashing through crystal-clear waters, collecting seashells, and diving freely to see the underwater wonders along the shallow coastline.
“Growing up on the island, I had no idea what coral reefs or seagrass were. I would step on them and pull them up, unaware of how important they are.”
Born and raised in Semporna, 22-year-old Mazni recalls her childhood.
In the past, marine conservation has been largely the domain of scientists - leaving local communities, and the young in particular, unaware of the incredible and important marine resources right in their backyards.
Located at the apex of the Coral Triangle, Semporna boasts the largest concentration and most diverse coral reefs in Malaysia, alongside lush mangrove forests and seagrass meadows. Local communities rely on these natural assets for their livelihoods, mainly through tourism and fisheries.
Sadly, Semporna has lost most of its corals to the long-standing practice of fish bombing - an illegal fishing practice that uses explosives to kill fish - in the region. Coral bleaching is another increasingly pressing issue due to warming sea temperatures. About 92% of Reef Check Malaysia’s reef monitoring sites across Sabah have shown signs of bleaching.
Continued degradation of these fragile ecosystems threatens local livelihoods, food security, and climate resilience of both marine life and coastal communities.
“Here in Sabah, diverse marine ecosystems are at risk from multiple threats, such as tourism development and visitor pressures, unsustainable fishing methods, and external threats arising from climate change”.
- Malinda Auluck, senior environmental consultant from DHI Malaysia leading MCSAV project
A healthy ocean requires effective planning, monitoring, and management of marine resources. Understanding the distribution and quality of critical aquatic biotopes - unique communities of plants and animals found naturally together in a particular location - is fundamental to effectively managing these resources within and outside marine protected areas and advancing toward a sustainable blue economy.
Resource managers often lack the tools and resources to achieve this, considering the vast coastal area in the region.
Having up-to-date and evidence-based data gives stakeholders ownership in discussions for sustainable outcomes. Emerging technology in remote sensing brings a practical and inexpensive solution within reach.
Right now, about 6,000 satellites are orbiting above us. They are a transformative instrument for measuring and monitoring the Earth’s environment.
With UNDP Ocean Innovation Challenge's support, DHI and local NGOs Reef Check Malaysia and Stop Fish Bombing Malaysia have developed MCSAV (Mangrove, Coral, and Submerged Aquatic Vegetation), an interactive web-based platform that aims to achieve a technology-stakeholder partnership for applying satellite remote sensing to map and monitor these biotopes.
Initially developed for nationwide SAV mapping on the high-latitude Swedish coast, MCSAV is adapted for tropical waters in Semporna.
Now, resource managers, marine conservationists, and even local communities without technical backgrounds can generate up-to-date maps of habitat classifications at scales in just a few minutes!
The maps enable informed decision-making and enhance collaborative management among stakeholders with a shared baseline.
Beyond mapping, remote sensing has made significant advancements in enabling nature-based solutions, particularly in laying the groundwork for blue carbon mapping and quantification.
With these tools and information, the coastal and marine environments can be effectively monitored and managed, facilitating better conservation strategies and fostering sustainable practices.
After just two years of support from UNDP OIC, the MCSAV platform has achieved significant results in mapping and monitoring key marine habitats. It has successfully mapped 12 islands and their surrounding areas in Semporna, utilizing satellite imagery and ground truth data.
MCSAV has undergone successful pilot testing, with error assessments validated against field-collected data. MCSAV is currently the only platform able to cover a wide range of biotopes and habitats in tropical environments, including marine vegetation, corals, rubble, and mangrove forests. It employs a "Human in the Loop" approach, which integrates local knowledge into the mapping process.
Ongoing coral reef restoration programs across Semporna have equipped local youths with the awareness, knowledge, and skills to assess and monitor marine ecosystems. As a result of their dedicated voluntary patrols, local communities are witnessing improved coral health and a decrease in fish bombing.
Inspired by these tangible outcomes, more young people get involved in the action. Mazni and her friends have been educated and trained to collect ground truth data, which is crucial for fine-tuning the deep learning model.
“I have learned to use GPS for navigation and improved data collection skills, like photography. We were questioned and dismissed by villagers and encountered crocodiles during the fieldwork. But these challenges will not stop us.”
Youth engagement in environmental conservation is crucial, especially in initiatives like MCSAV. Young people who actively participate in such projects develop a sense of ownership and responsibility toward the natural resources in their communities. This commitment across generations is essential for ensuring the long-term health of marine environments, as these young advocates will shape policy and decision-making processes in the future.
Ocean innovation projects, such as MCSAV, play a crucial role in integrating technology with community empowerment, especially among young people. By equipping the youth with the tools and knowledge they need, we establish a foundation for sustainable practices and environmental stewardship, benefitting both the environment and local communities for generations to come.
For more than 60 years, DHI has been dedicated to offering sustainable solutions in all water environments through innovative and science-based approaches. DHI has been selected to be part of the UNDP’s third cohort of Ocean Innovations on marine protected areas, area-based management, and the blue economy.
UNDP's Ocean Innovation Challenge (OIC) is accelerating progress towards SDG14 by supporting innovative solutions for ocean conservation and a sustainable blue economy. Supported by Sweden and Norway through their respective development agencies, Sida and Norad, the OIC identifies, finances, and mentors entrepreneurs with replicable and scalable approaches to coastal and ocean restoration.
© 2026 UNDP Water and Ocean Programme
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