Conservation and Sustainable Utilisation of the Oceans

Universiti Sains Malaysia through its Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies (CEMACS), continues to demonstrate strong commitment to the conservation and sustainable utilisation of the oceans, seas, lakes, rivers, and marine resources by supporting and organising community engagement events that promote environmental stewardship and responsible resource use.

In 2024, CEMACS led the International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) 2024 campaign, held from 21 September to 20 October, as part of a regional collaboration uniting communities across Malaysia, Thailand, and Singapore. This initiative exemplifies how universities can effectively mobilise action for ocean conservation while educating the public on the impacts of marine debris and pollution.

The opening cleanup at Pantai Seagate, Penang, on 21 September 2024, gathered 218 participants who collected 425 kilograms of waste within one hour. The movement expanded regionally through partner institutions, including Walailak University and the EGCO Group in Thailand, which hosted cleanup activities at Khanom Beach involving 63 volunteers. In total, 1,301 participants across all participating sites removed 38,336 pieces of waste from marine and freshwater ecosystems.

Participants, including USM staff, students, and the local community, contributed data to CEMACS’ citizen-science platform, strengthening marine debris monitoring and research. These actions not only reduced pollution but also enhanced regional awareness of sustainable ocean management practices.

Through the ICC 2024 campaign, USM demonstrated regional leadership in community-driven marine conservation, fostering collective responsibility for the protection of aquatic ecosystems and advancing the goal of a cleaner and more sustainable ocean for future generations.