ABOUT REEF GUARDIAN
THE TEAM
Reef Guardian would not be what it is without the efforts of its team of staffs. Let’s take a quick look at who’s who in the team.
Achier Chung
Lead Marine Biologist
Dr. Achier Chung is one of the pioneers that established marine conservation programs for SIMCA since 2004. She built and strengthened Reef Guardian marine conservation team from only four staffs in 2004 to 16 staffs in 2019. Dr. Achier Chung earned her doctorate in the year 2015 in marine science/fisheries from the Universiti Sabah Malaysia.
As a lead for Reef Guardian, her expertise is in managing the marine protected area, sea turtle biology, reef fish behavior, coral trout spawning aggregation and Marine Protected Area enforcement. Dr. Achier Chung is also a member of the national-level IUCN Expert Assessment Group for Green List (EAGL) for Malaysia since 2018. She has recently received an award as the first Malaysia SeaKeerper from the International SeaKeepers Society for her passionate in marine conservation, and environmental education works in SIMCA. She is a certified Reef Check eco-diver and trainer, and an Honorary Wildlife Warden.
Leony Sikim
Environmental Control Officer
A graduate from UMS, she joined Reef Guardian in 2005. She oversees the tourism activity, ensuring it is meeting to the environmental standards and guidelines. Also, she is the office admin. She is a certified Reef Check eco-diver and Honorary Wildlife Warden, hence, also putting her hands in to get research and monitoring, and enforcement works done. She is quite of a Reef Guardian historian as she remembers the dates of happenings than most of us could.
Rayner Anthony
Enforcement supervisor
Joined Reef Guardian in 2009-2010 Rejoined Reef Guardian in 2013 A certified Honorary Wildlife Warden
Davies Austin Spiji
Senior Marine Biologist
When he was young ("and still is!" he claims) and quite indecisive with his prospect in life, he took great notice of the marine science course that was featured in an education fair, which sparked his interest and curiosity "like electricity." He ultimately decided to pursue a Bachelor Degree in Marine Science at University Malaysia Sabah (UMS), which he was conferred to in 2009.
He kicked off his career by working under environmental consultancy firm, but he was eventually charmed by the calming sea, lively reefs, and the soul-filling island life during his visit in Mabul Island, where he was trained (and later certified) as Reef Check EcoDiver at that time. Not long after, he ditched the city life and worked at that very island before he made his way to Sugud Islands Marine Conservation Area (SIMCA) to join the Reef Guardian team.
At SIMCA, he was trained and certified as Honorary Wildlife Warden by Sabah Wildlife Department, and responsible in conducting research and monitoring activities, co-managing Reef Guardian social media and website, as well as involved in marine conservation, education and awareness, environmental control, and SIMCA enforcement activities. He is currently pursuing a Masters Degree in Marine Science under UMS, focusing his research on fish ecology, particularly on snappers.
Rashid bin Derup
Boat captain
Being the longest service staff for Reef Guardian, he started off as just a boatmen but he is now a certified AOW Diver, Honorary Wildlife Warden, Reef Check eco-diver and now holding a Mate Domestic 500 GT boating license. A dedicated captain, he is fond of his boat, treating it like a second girlfriend. He is also known as Penyu Hitam (now Hitam, or Tam) due to his classic black skin.
Edwin Alberto
Enforcement Officer
He came in to Lankayan as a dive master in LIDR back in 2004 before joining Reef Guardian in 2005. He is the person in-charge in SIMCA enforcement. Loud and cheerful amongst his companion, he can transform into a monster during sea patrol operation. So, fishers beware! He is a certified Honorary Wildlife Warden, and a licensed boatman.