Protecting Malaysia’s Marine Ecosystems Safeguards Nation's Economy

By Abdul Hamid A Rahman

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 7 (Bernama) -- Protecting Malaysia’s marine ecosystems is not only an environmental imperative but also a form of economic insurance that supports fisheries, tourism and coastal infrastructure, a conservationist said.

MareCet Research Organization executive director and co-founder Dr Louisa S Ponnampalam said the ocean’s ecosystem, from seafood supply, shoreline protection to provision of oxygen, directly supports livelihoods and national wellbeing. She leads scientific and community-based marine conservation programmes.

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“We are a maritime nation. When we manage fisheries responsibly, curb pollution and plan coastal development wisely, we protect jobs, food security and investor confidence,” she told Bernama on the sidelines of Khazanah Megatrends Forum (KMF) 2025, themed “Debunking Uncertainty: Lessons from the Grasshopper and the Ant on Living with Risk” here on Monday.

Tourism, she added, is one of the clearest bellwethers.

“Healthy coral reefs, mangroves and seagrass meadows attract both domestic and international visitors. They also buffer coastlines from storms and erosion. 

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"If reefs degrade and beaches decline, tourists will go elsewhere. Every lost snorkelling trip, dive excursion or coastal holiday is foregone income for local operators, hoteliers and supply chains,” she said.

Louisa called for systemic changes to match policy ambition with delivery, urging dedicated budgets from both government and corporates to turn environmental roadmaps into on-the-ground results.

“Strategies cannot stay on paper. Allocate funds, define implementation plans and measure outcomes. Conservation should not be a privilege; it must be enabled at scale. 

"Affordability remains a barrier for many households and small vendors, who need practical, low-cost alternatives to single-use plastics and incentives that make sustainable choices the easiest choices,” she said.

On the corporate front, she welcomed the global shift from traditional corporate social responsibility (CSR), often philanthropic and ad-hoc, to environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices embedded in core operations.

“ESG moves beyond cheque-handing. It asks companies how their products, procurement, logistics and waste affect people and the planet, and requires them to improve. 

"Partnerships between companies and NGOs can accelerate staff awareness, supply-chain reforms and community projects, while also signalling to investors that sustainability risks are being managed,” she said.

Warning signs of marine ecosystem decline are already visible, she said.

“Fieldwork with small-scale fishers points to fewer catches in some areas, while researchers are recording fewer sightings of key marine fauna, likely linked to declining prey and degraded habitats. 

“Environment, livelihoods and biodiversity are tightly connected. If the sea weakens, coastal economies weaken,” she said.

Louisa also called for environmental education to be restored in the national curriculum, complemented by corporate-led learning and citizen campaigns.

“Public awareness has improved, but the mindset shift is incomplete. We need schools, agencies and businesses pulling in the same direction. Malaysia can position itself as a forward-looking, resilient economy by treating nature as strategic infrastructure. 

"We cannot eat steel or plastic. Clean water, healthy coasts and breathable air are the foundation of growth. Safeguard the sea, and we safeguard our economy as well,” she added.

-- BERNAMA