Ball Watch launched Adopt-A-Reef Campaign to support marine conservation efforts and research within the Sugud Islands Marine Conservation Area (Simca) in Sabah, Malaysia.
The brand will work with Reef Guardian, which was appointed by the state to manage Simca.
Set within the Sulu Sea Region, the area spans 46,317 hectares and includes the Lankayan, Billean and Tegaipil islands, home to at least 600 species of reef fishes, 300 species of corals, six species of giant clams, two species of sea turtles, and 26 species of seagrass and algae.
Since 2004, the reefs around Lankayan Island have been protected from further destruction and marine threats, like fish bombing.
Ball Watch says as the world grapples with threats of global warming and human-induced activities such as unsustainable coastal development and illegal fishing, the Adopt-A-Reef Campaign will support Reef Guardian's efforts in coral reef research, marine conservation training and outreach programmes.
Reef Guardian will also hold hands-on field activities with partners and stakeholders to advance the understanding of the marine conservation challenges in Simca.
In May this year, Simca was recognised globally as a well-managed protected area and became an International Union Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Green List Site, the first of its kind in Malaysia and the Coral Triangle Countries.
This is a result of long-term commitment of Reef Guardian and its stakeholders, such as local governments, NGOs, and local communities that have ensured the reefs within Simca are some of the most protected in Sabah.