WWF Malaysia comments on Malaysia's marine resources

Implementing Ecosystem-Based Management in Fisheries is vital in addressing over-exploitation and depletion of Malaysia’s marine resources
WWF-Malaysia 2 Apr 09
Putrajaya – Adopting and implementing ecosystem-based management in fisheries (EBMF) is vital in addressing over-exploitation and depletion of marine resources, according to the ‘Implementation of Ecosystem-Based Management in Marine Capture Fisheries’ guide book launched by Yg. Bhg. Dato’ Junaidi bin Che Ayub, Director General of Fisheries Malaysia today.

WWF-Malaysia, which is promoting the book in collaboration with the Department of Fisheries Malaysia (DOFM) and Maritime Institute of Malaysia (MIMA) hopes that the book will serve to create awareness amongst fisheries managers about EBMF.

EBMF is a tool towards achieving sustainable fisheries. It is a highly integrated approach that encompasses all the complexities of ecosystem dynamics, the social and economic needs of human communities, and the maintenance of diverse, functioning and healthy ecosystems. Two main themes run through the concept; the effects of the environment on the resource, and conversely, the effects of resource exploitation on the environment. It consists of 5 principles and 12 operational steps; these steps provide detailed guidance for fisheries managers to develop and apply EBMF within the context of their own fishery.

MIMA has also been active in fishery and ecosystem research which has complemented the studies performed by the DOFM and academia towards sustainable development of the maritime resources in Malaysia. Some of the studies carried out include the assessment of the effectiveness of Malaysia’s marine environment management, status of coral reefs fisheries and study on the protection of marine life in Malaysia. These research projects can contribute to the knowledge and local applications towards the implementation of EBMF in Malaysia.

According to Treasury Malaysia 2008, fisheries contributed 15.8% and 16.1% of all the agriculture sector’s contribution to the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2005 and 2006 respectively. More than 95,000 people were directly employed in fisheries in Malaysia in 2006. Furthermore, Malaysians derive more protein from fish than any other country in Southeast Asia. However, studies have shown severe depletion of demersal fish stocks in Malaysian waters, as high as 90% in the last 30 years. As with the fisheries scenario all over the world, this is a cause for concern. The severity of this situation can be addressed if we take action now.

WWF-Malaysia also translated a Marine Protected Areas (MPA) booklet into Bahasa Malaysia to complement the EBMF guidebook. By establishing MPAs, we can restore the balance in the use of our oceans, safeguarding valuable fish stocks and important habitats while ensuring that the livelihoods of the local communities are sustainable.

The EBMF guide book and the MPA booklet that have been translated into Bahasa Malaysia will help fisheries managers to better understand the concept of EBMF and MPAs as tools towards sustainable fisheries.

It is hoped that managers will be encouraged to use these two publications in promoting EBMF and to create awareness on the need for more marine protected areas to ensure that there’s sufficient fish supply for now and for our future.