Malaysia: Sea Reclamation Project Destroys Marine Life In Straits Of Johor - MNS

Bernama 7 Jul 14;

JOHOR BAHARU, July 7 (Bernama) -- The reclamation project in the Straits of Johor can destroy environmentally sensitive areas (ESA) rich in marine life, said the Malaysian Nature Society (MNS).

Its Johor chairman Vincent Chow said the sea reclamation project is close to two ESA known among researchers as Tanjung Adang Shoal and Merambong Shoal.

"Both sensitive marine habitats are not only rich in seagrass but also fish, shrimp, clam, sea horse, crab, plankton and other marine microorganisms. Being shallow, the areas attract dugongs which come to find food," he told Bernama, here today.

Chow, who had conducted a detailed study of the areas expressed concern over the future of dugongs and the marine ecosystem in the Straits of Johor due to the "Forest City" sea reclamation project.

"The Straits of Johor is one of the main grazing areas for dugongs as it is rich in seagrass," he said, adding there are nine types of seagrass.

A study found that 15 to 20 percent of Merambong Shoal area had already fallen victim to the sea reclamation project.

The reclamation project has also changed the water current that carry marine microorganisms which are food for marine life in the ESA.

"Without marine microorganisms important to the survival of marine life in both areas, marine life will slowly become extinct in the Strais of Johor."

The extinction of marine life and marine microorganisms would affect the lives of fishermen due to depleting catch which make fishing uneconomical.

"Finally, the fishermen no longer have fish, crabs, clams and shrimp to catch."

Chow said MNS was not against development as it provides economic opportunities but urged the state government to discuss with stakeholders to preserve the natural heritage.

"We can establish a database of environmentally sensitive areas so that the party developing the area will know how to preserve the environment."

He feared that the state government and the project developer did not have the knowledge on environmentally sensitive areas in Johor.

"Johor still has a lot of land and does not need to reclaim the sea near areas recognised as a natural heritage."

-- BERNAMA