When Eric Lau joined the team in March 2023, there was a running joke in the office: “Half of Eric belongs to the Sarawak Conservation Programme and the other half to  Marine .” The Mangrove and Marine Project is based in Sarawak, in an area called Rajang-Belawai-Paloh delta, where three rivers meet. It’s a unique region with vast mangrove forests that are full of life, from fish to marine mammals like Irrawaddy dolphins and porpoises, and is also home to primates and various bird species.

The project is jointly managed by the Sarawak Conservation Programme and the Marine Conservation Programme, under the guidance of two officers, Vivien Yeo for mangrove conservation and Samantha Ambie for marine mammal conservation. In March 2025, Eric embarked on a new journey as a fisheries improvement officer with the Marine Conservation Programme, based in Kudat, Sabah. So, no more “divided body” between two programmes. Below is Eric’s experience throughout those two years.

 

The Rajang-Belawai-Paloh region was once unfamiliar to me. But over time, I formed a strong bond with the people, the environment, and the conservation challenges faced here. In my first year, I was fortunate to join a mangrove community cross-learning programme, where I met Ilias Shafie from the Penang Inshore Fishermen Welfare Association (PIFWA), who shared his extensive experience in mangrove conservation. His words stayed with me: “Have the passion? Then take the first step, your passion will guide you.” That experience showed me that real knowledge begins with action, not just theory.

I learned how to choose suitable sites and species for mangrove replanting, develop replanting strategies, and monitor their progress. Walking through pristine, naturally regenerated, and degraded mangrove forests gave me a deeper understanding of the impacts of unsustainable mangrove clearing and harvesting. Seeing the degraded mangrove forests reminded me why sustainable practices are so important, and this strengthened my commitment to conservation.

As a conservation assistant, one of my key tasks was to regularly engage with replanting groups and follow up on their progress. I always enjoy hearing their stories, ideas, and updates. Their enthusiasm truly stood out during World Wildlife Day 2024, a joint celebration by WWF-Malaysia and the Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) with the local communities in Rajang, Belawai, and Paloh. The replanting groups proudly showcased their work to visitors, a clear sign that these community members were not just participants but conservation leaders.

One moment that always makes me laugh is how I became known as the person who warned everyone about the “dangerous” mangrove species, Excoecaria agallocha, or Buta-buta, a tree with sap that can cause temporary blindness. Fieldwork at the mangrove replanting sites was often muddy and messy. Many times, I found myself stuck knee-deep in mud, laughing at the struggle, but every step was worth it.

I also had the chance to work with Dr Ahmad Aldrie Amir, a mangrove ecology expert, on a carbon baseline monitoring project. He generously shared his knowledge and helped us improve our replanting strategy. A funny and humbling moment happened during one of our field trips. We had a debate about identifying a mangrove species and confidently shared our conclusion, only to be corrected by a local community member. That moment reminded me that theory is fundamental, but field experience and local knowledge bring conservation to life.

 

Ilias from PIFWA shared his journey in mangrove conservation, sparking a deeper passion in me to do the same. © Grace Lim / WWF-Malaysia


Dr Aldrie (front right), a humble expert in mangrove ecology, generously shared his knowledge and guided us in improving replanting efforts. © Dr Ahmad Aldrie Bin Amir


That’s me in red, explaining our mangrove and marine mammal conservation work to visitors during one of the exhibitions in 2024. © Lim Pey Chen / WWF-Malaysia


A lucky escape after getting stuck during mangrove replanting monitoring, a muddy reminder that conservation isn’t always clean work. © Eric Lau / WWF-Malaysia


Excoecaria agallocha, or Buta-buta, is a mangrove species I always warn others about. Its sap can cause temporary blindness, nature has its own defenses too. On the left is its flower, and on the right is the fruit. © Eric Lau / WWF-Malaysia
 

There are four dolphin species that can be found in Sarawak. One of the most exciting moments in my conservation journey was spotting three of them in the Rajang-Belawai-Paloh area: the Irrawaddy dolphin (Orcaella brevirostris), the Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin (Sousa chinensis), and the finless porpoise (Neophocaena phocaenoides). 

I will never forget seeing a big pod of Irrawaddy dolphins feeding, following a small pod of Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins from our boat, and spotting a shy group of finless porpoises nearby. During every marine mammal survey, our boatman always maintains a low speed, which helps us keep a safe distance, record valuable data, and fully enjoy the sighting without disturbing the animals. It was truly a magical experience.

I also took part in the Honorary Wildlife Ranger Workshop, held in collaboration with SFC. Most participants were senior citizens, but their eagerness to learn Survey 123, a survey application for marine mammal data collection, was inspiring. Their passion and commitment were uplifting.

Citizen science quickly became one of the activities I felt most connected to. I loved the idea of training local communities to become local scientists. During feedback sessions, the community enumerators would often share fascinating stories about dolphin sightings and marine mammal stranding cases. These moments were both informative and eye-opening. My teammate and I kept improving our data collection tools to make them more engaging and user-friendly.

 

Another meaningful part of my work was supporting my teammates in empowering local communities. I got to know every member of the Community Participatory Committee (CPC), a platform where community representatives work together to protect mangroves and marine ecosystems. 

Seeing the committee members’ discussions turn into real conservation actions was incredibly rewarding. Their sense of ownership and strong commitment to protecting their environment were really important. They are not just participants, they are local champions and leaders of conservation in their own communities.
 

Group photo with SFC, WWF-Malaysia, and local communities during the Honorary Wildlife Ranger Workshop. © Grace Lim / WWF-Malaysia


Group photo with WWF-Malaysia and the CPC during one of the capacity-building sessions. © Lim Pey Chen / WWF-Malaysia
 

Working with the team has been one of the most meaningful chapters of my life. When I first joined, my understanding of mangrove and marine mammal conservation was mostly academic. But everything changed once I experienced it on the ground. 

I used to believe that science alone could solve conservation problems. Now, I realise that effective conservation depends not only on science,  but also on local knowledge and strong community involvement. Together, they create solutions that are practical, inclusive, and sustainable.

From wading through muddy mangroves to witnessing dolphins in the wild, this journey has helped me grow both professionally and personally.  It has deepened my passion for conservation, environmental education, and sustainable development. 

I also discovered the richness of local culture. One memory that stands out is learning about sesar unjur, the famous smoked prawn delicacy made using mangrove wood smoke. It reflects the deep connection between local traditions and the surrounding ecosystem. Protecting the environment also means preserving these cultural ties.

Although I did not visit all the project sites in Sarawak, I learned so much through teamwork, collaboration and shared experiences. What made this journey truly special was the strong team spirit, mutual respect, and willingness to support each other. These are the values I will carry with me into my future conservation work.

 

Processing fresh prawns into smoked prawns is a traditional livelihood in Rajang-Belawai-Paloh, deeply tied to the mangrove ecosystem. © Grace Lim / WWF-Malaysia


Enjoying a friendly tele-match with teammates during World Wildlife Day 2024. Conservation work is serious, but we make time for fun too. © Ezen Chan / WWF-Malaysia


A stunning sunset after a long day in the field, moments like this remind us why we protect nature. © Eric Lau / WWF-Malaysia

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