According to Bernama, the Malaysian National News Agency, the sites are at Pulau Perhentian, Pulau Redang, Pulau Tenggol, Pahang and Kedah.
These areas were closed last July due to evidence of coral bleaching caused by rising sea temperatures.
While the activities of divers had no connection with this, it was decided that action over the additional damage caused by some diving visitors would at least help toward regeneration.
The decision to re-open the sites comes with evidence that natural conditions have tilted back toward a healthier state.
Dr Sukarno Wagiman, Director-General of the Malaysian Marine Parks department, told Bernama: “According to the department’s monitoring efforts, we find the condition of the seawater has improved, resulting in 90 to 100 per cent regeneration of the coral reefs.”
It is not clear whether this means that the corals have recovered nearly completely, or that nearly all of them have shown signs of recovery.
If near-complete recovery has occurred, bleaching will have been in its earlier stages, as nine months is not long in terms of coral regeneration.
The timing of the re-openings was set by the country’s Natural Resources and Environment Ministry.
Related links
Malaysia closes dive sites
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