Inspiring Ocean Stewardship
Through Community Outreach
At SEAS, conservation goes beyond research and fieldwork — it’s about people. Through community outreach, we work with local residents, youth and visitors to build understanding, share knowledge and encourage long-term care for the marine environment. By inspiring ocean stewardship through education, collaboration and hands-on experiences, we aim to support healthier oceans and stronger coastal communities.
Mabul Lumaku
Mabul Lumaku is our weekly outreach programme with a local school, designed to build long-term relationships and create lasting impact. Each week includes a morning education session followed by an afternoon games session, blending learning with fun.
Students are provided with a drink and cake and are encouraged to bring a reusable container, reinforcing low-waste habits. Through regular engagement, the programme helps strengthen environmental awareness and a connection to the marine environment among Mabul’s youth.
Mabul Eco Youth
Mabul Eco Youth is a long-term programme supporting young people on the island through hands-on conservation skills, dive training and practical experience. Participants work closely with the SEAS team on the plastic project, learning to operate equipment, create products and manage tasks such as recording sales.
The group also supports coral conservation activities, and several members have progressed through dive training up to Rescue Diver level. By building skills and confidence, the programme helps strengthen local capacity and empowers the next generation of ocean stewards on Mabul.
Awareness talks
We deliver presentations on a wide range of conservation topics to guests across all Scuba Junkie resorts throughout the year. These sessions focus on the areas where we carry out conservation work, helping guests understand the impacts affecting the marine environment and the practical steps they can take to reduce their own footprint.
Community Market
Marine souvenirs such as coral, shells and shark tooth jewellery are commonly sold in coastal tourism destinations, but their collection can contribute to the over-exploitation of marine ecosystems. Working with the Mabul community, we have helped develop a sustainable alternative through the Mabul Community Market.
Local women create crocheted marine life, from sharks and turtles to nudibranchs and crabs, offering unique, ocean-friendly keepsakes. All proceeds from sales go directly to the families who make them, supporting livelihoods while helping to protect the reef.
SOS - Save our SEAS
Save Our SEAS brings our conservation work to wider audiences through talks, booths, and hosted visits. We engage with organisations and institutions interested in real-world marine conservation, whether presenting at events like the Kota Kinabalu High Court’s environmental day or welcoming groups to see our projects firsthand. These activities help raise awareness and strengthen support for protecting Sabah’s marine ecosystems.
