Malaysia: NRE to introduce marine conservation law

Bernama New Straits Times 1 Dec 17;

KUALA LUMPUR: The Natural Resources and Environment ministry (NRE) is mulling to introduce a special law in marine and coral reef ecosystem conservation.

Its minister Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said through the proposed legislation, stricter deterrent measures would be taken against anyone found polluting and threatening the sensitive marine ecosystems.

“With the new law in place, a more rigorous approach will be taken whereby a person caught for example, causing oil spills though he has no intention of polluting the sea, would still be held responsible and liable to prosecution,” he said.

Wan Junaidi said this in an exclusive interview with Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) chairman Datuk Seri Azman Ujang here.

The Minister said the country’s waters, for instance, off the Straits of Melaka and Johor, were sensitive to pollution, and those involved with sea activities should be concerned over the matter.

Wan Junaidi said the preservation of marine ecosystems should be given high priority in view of the fact that marine wealth not only provided benefits to humans but also affected climate change and global warming.

The ministry, he said, was working with Australia on efforts to protect coral reefs and marine life. “We have signed a memorandum of understanding with Australia which is willing to share expertise, new technology and provide training for this purpose,” he said.

He said the ministry was also reviewing Australia’s recommendations on the use of a certain kind of snail as a natural predator to control the population of crown-of-thorns starfish which were causing significant damage to reefs in Australia.

Meanwhile, he said comprehensive planning was necessary to ensure more effective and sustainable water management in the country.

According to him, the proposed bill on sustainable water management would also ensure more organised and efficient mechanisms on the sale and transfer of water from one state to another.

In another development, Wan Junaidi said Malaysia had successfully met all the stringent criteria in applying for the Green Climate Fund (GCF) which was created to support efforts of developing countries in implementing mitigation projects in response to climate change.

GCF was set up by 194 countries who are parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 2010, as part of the Convention’s financial mechanism.

Malaysia has pledged to cut carbon emission intensity by 40 per cent by year 2020. -- Bernama


NGO welcomes new approach in marine management
Borneo Post 5 Dec 17;

KOTA KINABALU: The recent announcement by Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar of a new marine conservation law is to be strongly supported, according to marine conservation NGO Reef Check Malaysia (RCM).

This call is timely as Malaysia is facing increasing threats to its marine ecosystems. It is estimated that Malaysia has some 4,000 km2 of coral reef.

In the wake of the last mass coral bleaching event in Malaysia that devastated up to 10% of coral reefs in Malaysia, stepping up a gear in having more stringent protection is most welcome.

A similar event in Australia’s Great Barrier Reef in 2016 resulted in some 30% of reefs suffering coral mortality. While on a global level Malaysia has committed to reduce its carbon emission intensity to 40% by 2020, it is equally important to commit to addressing local threats. This represents an important step in building the resilience, or the ‘survivability’, of our coral reefs to withstand growing global threats.

Reef Check Malaysia’s 2016 survey data show that the average Live Coral Cover (LCC) of Malaysia stands at about 44% which is considered to be in ‘fair’ condition. However, the data also reveal that at 13% of sites surveyed, nearly one third of the reef is covered with algae, a sign of nutrient pollution from man-made sources – often poorly treated sewage.

Threats are varied – for example during 2017 tarballs were found around Pulau Tioman, and had to be removed by local volunteers. The growing tourism industry, while an important source of jobs, can also be a threat if it is not controlled. These are examples of problems that require immediate attention and more stringent legislation will certainly help.

The Minister’s call is also in line with Malaysia’s commitment to achieve the goals outlined in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): that by 2020, at least 10% of coastal and marine areas are effectively managed; and that by 2025 there is a significant reduction in all kinds of pollution from land based activities. This is definitely great news as we head into the year 2018 which coincides with International Year of the Reef as declared by United Nations.

It is Reef Check Malaysia’s hope that the law will include provisions that allow greater empowerment to local stakeholders, which it is hoped will in turn improve compliance and optimise enforcement efforts. RCM also hopes that the law will help to protect connected ecosystems, such as coral reefs and sea grass beds, as well as the “charismatic” species such as sharks, turtles, and whales.

This is a positive and progressive move by the Ministry and Reef Check Malaysia strongly supports it.