Collaboration with Local Communities to Maintain Shared Aquatic Ecosystems

Universiti Sains Malaysia through the Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies (CEMACS), actively collaborates with local communities to maintain and protect shared aquatic ecosystems, particularly at the Middle Bank Seagrass Meadow in the Straits of Malacca. This ecologically rich habitat, located near the Penang World Heritage Site, serves as one of Malaysia’s most important marine ecosystems and a natural carbon sink supporting local biodiversity and fisheries.

For over two decades, CEMACS has worked in close partnership with coastal communities, schools, and the Penang State Government to safeguard the Middle Bank ecosystem through community-based stewardship, environmental education, and participatory conservation. These collaborations involve shared monitoring activities, hands-on data collection, and training on sustainable fishing practices. Fishermen, students, and local residents are actively involved in maintaining seagrass health and protecting nursery grounds for fish and mollusc species that sustain small-scale coastal livelihoods.

CEMACS also works with local authorities and policymakers to advance the gazettement of the Middle Bank as a marine sanctuary, ensuring its long-term protection as a shared aquatic resource. Educational initiatives such as stakeholder workshops, awareness campaigns, and school field programmes help raise public understanding of the ecological importance of seagrass meadows and the need for collective stewardship.

The collaboration extends beyond local boundaries through partnerships with regional and international organisations such as the Partnership for Observation of the Global Ocean (POGO) and research institutions in Thailand, Indonesia, and the United States. These networks strengthen scientific exchange and support regional knowledge sharing on sustainable coastal management.

Through these ongoing collaborations, CEMACS and the local community jointly uphold the protection of shared aquatic ecosystems while fostering a culture of sustainability, environmental responsibility, and inclusive conservation. This long-term partnership demonstrates how science and community cooperation can effectively preserve marine biodiversity and ensure the resilience of Penang’s coastal ecosystems for generations to come.