Conducted in collaboration with the Pahang State and research partners from Malaysian and international universities, this pioneering mission undertook extensive oceanography and coral reef surveys, gathering valuable data to track long-term changes.
The mission, divided into three phases, saw Malaysian scientists map over 350 km², survey megafauna, and assess coral reefs affected by bleaching. A groundbreaking aspect was the use of the ReefCloud AI programme, which enabled real-time analysis of coral health and biodiversity, providing critical insights for conservation efforts. The team also explored mesophotic habitats deeper than 30 meters, marking the first detailed assessment of these ecosystems in Pahang waters using advanced ROV technology.
"With the help of the technology aboard, we’ve collected data to help us understand the hydrodynamic conditions of the region pre-monsoon," said Mattie Rodrigue, science programme director of OceanX.
Research and education
UMT's lead scientist, Assoc Prof Dr Maizah Mohd Abdullah, highlighted the partnership’s success, saying, “We collected data in innovative ways, revealing new insights. Our next agenda after the mission is to analyze the data and communicate the findings with the state government of Pahang and other stakeholders, ensuring that the benefits are shared in support of marine conservation and climate change mitigation efforts."
Beyond research, OceanX also focused on education, offering tours of the OceanXplorer to over 200 students and educators in Port Klang. “The OceanX Malaysia Mission aimed to bridge young marine enthusiasts to opportunities for sea exploration,” explained Mark Dalio, founder and Co-CEO of OceanX, noting that the goal was to inspire the next generation of ocean leaders.
