The impact both on land and at sea is tangible. Whales-On-The-Wheels, MareCet’s travelling marine-science classroom, brings out specimens and interactive displays so students can learn how sound moves underwater and meet Malaysian dolphin species through short talks and activities. Whales-On-The-Wheels has visited 26 schools, reaching 10,601 students and teachers. MareCet also developed and printed 1,000 copies of Mummy, Where’s My Dorsal Fin? for schools, trained 54 volunteers, held a workshop for 40 Department of Fisheries officers, and distributed by-catch handling guidelines (30 in Bahasa Malaysia; 200 in English). Offshore surveys around Langkawi and Payar Archipelago removed 85 kg of marine trash and ghost nets.

What stays with students and teachers are the moments: “Did you know rubbish takes this long to disintegrate?” students still ask years after a visit. One teacher recounts a boy who returning from a dolphin sighting trip, said, “It’s one of the best things I’ve ever done,” and continued discussing ocean health at home that very night. Teacher Gurpreet reminds us: “Actions might be small, like refusing an extra plastic bag. But that makes a big difference—one less plastic item being used.”