Coral Reef Restoration
Blast Fishing
Our house reef has previously been damaged by blast fishing, a method that uses explosives to kill large numbers of reef fish for easy collection.
Dead corals due to blast fishing
Although this practice is now illegal in Malaysia, it has caused significant harm, leaving extensive coral rubble fields that lack the structure and ecological function of a healthy reef.
Restoration
Since 2014, we have been actively restoring the reef in front of our resort near the arrival jetty.
Reef Restoration Zone
Over the past few years, we have installed more than 25 cemented-steel-bar structures in various shapes.
Steelbar – Table Coral
These structures provide a substrate for natural coral recruitment, support active coral replanting, and offer shelter for fish and invertebrates.
Corals are attached to the frames with zip ties, which secure them and allow tissue growth around the structure through a process called calcification.
Ziptie – Corals
Attaching to steelbar frame
Ziptie – Guest Ou Ou
Coral Cookies
In 2026, we have introduced another restoration method called the coral cookies table, which involves two phases. First, broken coral fragments are collected from the seafloor and attached to a cement cookie structure using epoxy glue.
Preparing coral cookie with epoxy glue
Coral Cookie
Coral Cookie
Once the corals are fully grown and reach maturity, the coral cookies are cemented back onto the rubble fields to stabilise them with living coral colonies, increasing coral and fish biodiversity on our house reef.
Support
You can support our conservation efforts by planting your own corals or sponsoring a coral cookie.
Thank you Gustiza and family for the support
Gustiza Coral Cookie
Join our coral reef restoration project to make a positive impact not just on this reef but on the entire marine ecosystem worldwide.
View our PDF for an overview of our current marine conservation activities.
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Marine Eco-Week, Semporna 27th Nov – 2nd Dec 2017
Pom Pom Island Resort is happy to announce the opening of a great Marine Eco-Week in Semporna! We will have a lot of eco-friendly activities! Stay tuned and support conservation