For Marine Biologist, Scott Mayback, the rising tide of marine ecological stressors is considerably disconcerting, “Last year alone, we had a worldwide bleaching event. It was the fourth ever, and in the Marine Park, it was considered the worst in its 50-year history,” he said.
Scott Mayback, YTL Hotels Resident Marine Biologist
The Peak Malaysia sat down with Scott Mayback, the Resident Marine Biologist of YTL Hotels, and with regard to a generally wholesome meeting — getting to know more about Scott’s journey since he left the United States, it was discerningly eye-opening to heed his words about the devastating occurrence of coral bleaching, and its effects on the reefs.
Depths of Adventure
They say mankind has only successfully explored about 5% of the deep blue, with more than 80% remaining a tantalising mystery. And much of the wonder we decode in nature stems from these discoveries — reminders of how little we truly know. One of the first recorded sea-faring voyages was Ferdinand Magellan’s circumnavigation of the globe, completed in 1522. Yet, despite centuries of exploration, the ocean still guards countless secrets, from undiscovered species to hidden ecosystems, inviting modern explorers to continue the journey into the unknown.
Centuries later, the modern decorum of exploration has evolved through technological advancement, whereby sea logistics have become a lucrative business, oil ridges serve as heavyweights for trade and the economy’s foundation, and billionaire entrepreneurial ventures have turned their attention toward the depths beyond the marina trenches — where the Titanic lies bare, encased in the cold embrace of the ocean floor, a haunting testament to human ambition and the mysteries that still await discovery.
Photo: Pexels Ikri Forza
When asked about what aspects of Sabah’s marine life captivated his attention, and which comparatively shaped his conservation work, Scott shares, “Diving for one — seeing the corals in the aquarium and then witnessing them in their habitat – it is quite a big difference — every single dive just… Wow! To witness different species that I have seen in pictures or in aquariums – and then to see them in their natural habitat is spectacular.” Here, Scott shares a snippet, experiencing the beauty of diving in Borneo, “The first time you get in the water here — it is quite explicitly amazing.” It is all-in-all an adventure for the discerning individual, and should be experienced at least once in this lifetime.
Moreover, the purity of the unexpected comes in moments whereby nature delivers its own anecdotes — a humbling reminder that mankind ironically, remains but a speck in comparison to the Earth’s vastness. Back track hours before, Scott shared a piece of a remarkable experience during a dive, just a few days ago. It was a rare sighting of a young whale calf cruising across the Tanjong Jara, Terengganu waters.
Photo: Pexels Francesco Ungaro
He recalled the dive vividly — while on their routine expedition, the team broke the surface and caught sight of the majestic mammal, then proceeded to dive back into the water to digitally capture the beast in its quest southbound.
In witnessing the young whale calf glide effortlessly through the Terengganu waters, these encounters probe a fleeting story that nature had written long before us, and that is the delicate balance between human curiosity and the untamed rhythms of the natural world.
From Catastrophic Bleaching to Community Action
The truth is that there is an overarching narrative concerning threats accelerating the deterioration of the coral reef ecosystem. And this is what Scott has to say about the reality before us: “I mean, although the impact of marine pollution and the damage caused by people touching the corals contribute as well, it is all muted by the looming threat of bleaching.” What the bleaching event constitutes is when periods of abnormally warm waters become frequently intense, and this is primarily due to climate change. It then triggers episodes of algae expulsion, which causes the corals to lose their colour and their skeleton become transparent.
Photo: Great Barrier Reef Foundation
This compromises the corals’ health, making them susceptible to disease if their symbiotic algae are not restored promptly. “It was considered the worst in the 50-year history… recording about 20% losses from our own reef itself,” Scott stresses the scale of this looming risk to the coral ecosystem, highlighting the deeply alarming state, not just in Malaysia, but worldwide.
He further elaborates, “Sadly, during my time at Gaya Island, Sabah, we had two massive bleaching events, one in 2016, and as mentioned before, 2024. Things are changing, but unfortunately, not for the better. It is a sad fact most reefs are facing today.” The thing about driving collective efforts, and not just by experts themselves, but the community as a whole, plays a substantial role. Scott lends some insight on the impact of marine tourism, when envisioning the bigger picture. For instance, guests vacationing at the resorts can contribute via the on-going conservation initiatives at Gaya Island and Tanjong Jara Resorts. He says, “Participating in coral planting, helping us grow these corals, and perhaps contributing to conservation funds, will play an impactful role in driving our efforts here.”
Photo: Pexels Jondave Libiran
Scott further expressed, in attention to vacationing tourists at the resorts. “The main message I do want to get out there is, if we are speaking to potential guests, please be mindfully respectful of the environment. Please be aware that we are rehabilitating a fragile coral reef — so no standing, touching, or using chemical induced products, such as sunscreens, and repellants, when near the reef.”
Rehabilitating the Ocean Reef
The Penyu Shell-Ter Project marked a milestone, celebrating YTL Group’s CSR arm BUILDS, expedite some of their progressive initiatives, bringing awareness to the community with regards to the larger role tourism can play in protecting the very future the younger generation will inherit. Over the ages, many creatures have vanished. Take the Bornean rhino in the region: the last of its kind has disappeared, while a subset of the species remains critically endangered.
Speaking to Scott revealed how several crises at hand remain constituents to preservation, and if the community were to exaggerate the seriousness of the role towards marine life conservation, we could make a significant difference. This goes as far as ensuring the existence of a species. And while Scott’s conservation work with the turtle protection initiative is deeply profound, his role extends further to the ocean’s reef.
Photo: Grist | Bleaching Event
The team, under Scott’s guidance, are working diligently towards coral intervention. In fact, some of the corals in their care span over a decade in preservation. “Sometime during the COVID period – we started propagating them and then we developed them” What began from a small scale propagation, expanded into a monumental, and effective initiative. “We started two full propagation tanks, and we are looking to expand the scale.”
Scott drives the propagation efforts, cultivating corals by the dozens and actively reintroducing them to the reef. “So we take cuttings — depending on the coral type. With hard corals, we glue them down to different substrates with just normal super glue, and a mixture of baking powder. As for soft corals, we use strings and cable ties, because it suits them better.”
“Beyond that, once they grow into their structure, and are fully attached to whatever substrate used, then we take these small designs, and glue them to larger structures — which are later, placed back on the reefs. It is a new method we have used for the last one to two years, and we are really making use of the aquariums. As of now, we have quite a lot of corals that are ready to be restored back to the ocean.”
A Passion Turned Stewardship
“I made a life changing decision to come out here — and I can’t believe it has been 16 years since!” At times, leaving the comforts of what we have always known, to pursue a sparked passion–seen– opportunity, has a 50/50 outcome. Nonetheless, for Scott Mayback, his journey from Oregon to the waters of Borneo was an event he never looked back on, “I mean, you could always do more, but there is no space for regrets. I have none.”
Scott Mayback, Resident Marine Biologist, YTL Hotels
Scott’s passion stemmed from working at the aquariums, preserving sea-life, and research. “At the time, I didn’t know much about Malaysia or the Bornean region, but I do remember there was a lot of talk about Borneo as a biodiversity hotspot. So, when the opportunity to come out and dive here came about, I was very excited!”
Looking At The Broader Scale
In Scott’s perspective, he strongly asserts that marine conservation efforts will need to seriously step up their game — looking at technological advancement research and development to prioritise and shift focus towards effective solutions that will rapidly improve sea-life. “Be it bio-engineering or selective breeding — something of that nature — that is what will preliminarily protect our oceans.”
When asked about the potential of carbon credits initiatives contribution, that currently make up one of the bigger investments in sustainability, Scott perceives it as having less to zero impact. In hindsight, climate change is continually increasing, and where marine conservation is concerned, there is not much connection between carbon reduction initiatives and targeting the conditions of aquatic life. “The thing is, all efforts do help, but no, there is no current reduction in carbon itself.”
Photo: Great Barrier Reef Foundation
And on that note, marking Scott’s experience in his professional journey, for those in pursuit in a career committed to marine biology, he accentuates a specific undertaking for the younger generation. “It would be good for them to diversify into more conservation endeavours — countering the problems we face today, whether it is addressing societal narratives or delving deeper into environmental science research that aligns with modern conditions, otherwise — our marine systems will continue worsening.”
For information on the Penyu Shell-Ter Campaign, visit YTL Cement or read more here: How YTL Group Marks 70 Years of Purpose Driven Progress. Discover further about Malaysia’s Biodiversity Crisis from YTL Hotels, Director of Conservation and Resident Naturalist, Justin Juhun and his expert insights on its current state.
