Seagrass and seaweed. Two types of marine life are often thought to be the same by most of us, but in reality, they are very different — seagrass is a flowering plant, while seaweed is a type of algae.
The differences between the two go beyond that — they also differ in form and in their roles within the marine ecosystem.
Unlike seaweed, which is well-known for its commercial value — especially in this ‘Land Below the Wind’ state, Sabah, which is Malaysia’s largest seaweed producer — the importance of seagrass is rarely highlighted.
Living along the coast, this plant can only be clearly seen during low tide when the water recedes and the area becomes shallow, revealing a green field submerged underwater — a view that might remind one of newly planted rice paddies.
Though some may dismiss it as mere “weeds,” in truth, seagrass is a priceless natural treasure for scientists, fishermen, and coastal communities alike.
Apart from acting as a natural biological filter, seagrass helps to clear the water and create a suitable environment for various marine species.
It stabilises sediment, reduces erosion, provides feeding and nursery grounds for young fish, serves as a breeding area for marine organisms, and plays a vital role in regulating the nitrogen cycle.
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SEAGRASS REPLANTING
On Aug 21, the writer had the opportunity to set foot in Kampung Penimbawan here, together with other members of the media, on a visit organised by Yayasan Petronas to observe a seagrass replanting project in collaboration with the Bajau Samah community.
In Sabah, this initiative is carried out with the support of Yayasan Petronas, the Department of Fisheries (DOF), the Sabah Biodiversity Centre (SaBC), and Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) — combining scientific mapping with community participation and education.
This effort represents a comprehensive approach to protecting Malaysia’s seagrass ecosystems, while also identifying existing habitats and potential sites for restoration.
After about an hour’s drive from Kota Kinabalu to Kampung Serusup Jetty, we continued the journey by boat, travelling along the coast of Teluk Sulaman for about 20 minutes before arriving at Kampung Penimbawan.
A traditional fishing settlement, Kampung Penimbawan is home to around 3,000 residents, mostly from the Bajau Samah ethnic group, who live in about 300 houses.
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Nearly three decades ago, the area — located in Teluk Sulaman — was surrounded by lush, green seagrass meadows that attracted turtles and other marine species that fed on them.
However, that is now almost a thing of the past. Residents report not having seen turtles for a long time, coinciding with the disappearance of seagrass meadows due to human activities, including coastal development.
“When there was still plenty of seagrass in the area, we used to see turtles, and many fish would lay eggs among the seagrass because it was their food source.
“But as the seagrass started to disappear (for about 10 years), turtles became a rare sight,” said Jaukal Badak, 68, Chairman of the Kampung Penimbawan Village Development and Security Committee (JKKK).
With visible disappointment on his face, Jaukal said the situation has also affected the villagers’ livelihoods, as they depend on fishing to sustain their families.
However, the Seagrass Mapping and Community-Based Programme has brought a glimmer of hope to Jaukal and his community.
“The sea is our source of livelihood. If the fish are gone, how will we eat? That’s why we want to replant the seagrass — so that the fish will return and continue to provide a future for our children,” he said.
For nearly a year now, Jaukal and the fishermen of Kampung Penimbawan have been trained by experts from UMS to protect and replant seagrass along the Teluk Sulaman coastline.
SEAGRASS MAPPING
A five-member research team led by Associate Professor Dr Ejria Saleh from UMS’s Borneo Marine Research Institute (BMRI) focuses on two key areas: Seagrass Mapping and Carbon Quantification, and a Community-Based Education and Public Awareness (CEPA) programme.
Ejria explained that seagrass serves as the first line of defence against coastal erosion, preceding coral reefs in protecting the seabed and providing a safe nursery ground for juvenile fish in shallow waters.
“It may look like ordinary weeds to most of us, but for marine life, seagrass is vital — sustaining marine biodiversity and coastal ecosystems, while also supporting the livelihoods of coastal communities,” she told Bernama.
She said the seagrass mapping programme in Sabah integrates drone technology, satellite imagery, and field dives to document Malaysia’s seagrass ecosystems.
“Our main goals are to establish baseline data on seagrass distribution in shallow coastal waters, empower local communities through training and hands-on conservation activities, and raise awareness of the ecological significance of seagrass habitats.
“So far, we have identified more than 20 newly documented seagrass meadows, marking the first comprehensive mapping of seagrass in Malaysia’s history,” she added.
Meanwhile, Dr Wahidatul Husna Zuldin, a marine scientist overseeing seagrass conservation and community engagement under the programme, said 19 residents have been appointed as ‘seagrass champions’ to continue safeguarding and monitoring the habitats along the coastline — a recognition of their commitment and contribution to the restoration project.
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SEAGRASS REPLANTING
After a briefing and the presentation of appointment letters to the newly designated ‘seagrass replanting champions’ in Kampung Penimbawan, we were taken to the mangrove area — the designated site for seagrass replanting — about a 10-minute boat ride from the village jetty.
According to Ejria, the selected mangrove site near the village met all the necessary criteria: it experiences minimal boat traffic and fishing activity, and enjoys strong support from the local community for monitoring and maintenance efforts.
Since the boat could not be docked in the mangrove area due to thick mud, we had to wade through muddy water (approximately ankle length), wearing aqua shoes and boots.
Although the replanting site was only about 50 metres away, for most of us — setting foot in a mangrove swamp for the first time — the journey felt like quite an adventure.
Each step felt as if “the ground was gripping our feet” — difficult to lift once sunken into the mud. Many of us even lost our shoes along the way, which made the short trek even longer.
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However, the exhaustion of trudging through thick mud quickly vanished upon reaching the site. The writer was awestruck by the sight of a vast green meadow stretching as far as the eye could see, set against the backdrop of the mangrove forest.
“In Malaysia, there are 17 species of seagrass, and the choice of species for replanting depends on the native and dominant species found in that area — usually those with hardy characteristics and strong root systems.
“In Kampung Penimbawan, we selected the Enhalus acoroides species, which dominates about 40 per cent of the Kota Kinabalu coastal zone,” said Ejria, while showing us a sample of the seagrass at the replanting site.
She explained that this species has leaves measuring one to two metres long, making it the largest seagrass species in Asia, and produces round, coconut-like fruits filled with starchy seeds.
“It usually grows in muddy and sandy areas and is resilient even in turbid waters,” she added.
A group of villagers — the programme’s designated “champions” — were already busy preparing seagrass seedlings and tools such as small trowels and long rulers to measure the planting spots for the chosen species.
Once again, the writer was impressed by the villagers’ agility and skill as they carried out the replanting work, a task that looked deceptively difficult to the untrained eye.
“We use seedlings collected from the Sabah Ports Sdn Bhd coastal waters and bring them here for replanting,” she said.
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INCREASE IN MARINE LIFE
As we watched the villagers and the team of scientists planting seagrass, a sudden shout of excitement broke the stillness.
“Look, a crab! It’s huge — this one can fetch a good price!” exclaimed Seepar Taar, 65, a fisherman and resident of Kampung Penimbawan, as he waved the crab proudly for everyone to see.
The joy and excitement were evident on the faces of the villagers involved in the seagrass replanting project as they witnessed, first-hand, the positive results of their efforts.
According to Ejria, apart from being trained in seagrass replanting techniques, participants were also taught how to monitor seagrass growth and track the presence of marine life.
“Among the monitoring methods are measuring water parameters such as temperature, salinity (salt concentration), dissolved oxygen, and turbidity; analysing epiphytes or algae growing on seagrass leaves (an indicator of ecological stress); recording the presence of indicator species like snails and crabs; and documenting changes through repeat photography at fixed monitoring stations.
“More detailed monitoring is also carried out periodically, including assessments of seagrass coverage area, shoot density, leaf length and width, sediment stability, biomass (leaf weight), as well as drone-based surveys,” she explained.
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COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT
Meanwhile, Yayasan Petronas Chief Executive Officer Shariah Nelly Francis said Malaysia is recognised as one of the world’s seagrass hotspots home to 17 species. However, many of these seagrass meadows remain unmapped, unstudied, and unprotected.
“In Sabah, coastal development, destructive fishing practices, and pollution continue to erode these fragile ecosystems.
“New mapping and restoration efforts are helping to turn the tide — gathering data, raising awareness, and creating ripples of change that could influence policy, inspire communities, and strengthen marine conservation across Malaysia,” she said.
Shariah said the pioneering initiative, supported by Yayasan Petronas, is part of efforts to reinforce Malaysia’s commitment to blue carbon conservation, marine biodiversity protection, and sustainable coastal management.
“This is the first comprehensive seagrass mapping project ever conducted in Malaysia, and its findings will contribute to the development of a national action plan,” she said.
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Under the foundation’s environmental sustainability pillar, the seagrass mapping programme aims to promote and advance environmental conservation, with a particular focus on protecting Malaysia’s seagrass ecosystems.
“We are committed to implementing initiatives that not only safeguard the environment and preserve seagrass habitats but also strengthen community resilience in facing future climate challenges,” she said.
Shariah added that studies and research based on comprehensive seagrass mapping would not only enhance understanding of ecosystem management but also contribute to the development of more effective conservation strategies.
“Furthermore, the mapping of seagrass meadows provides essential baseline data that will serve as the foundation for future conservation planning,” she noted.
She said the collaboration with the DOF and the SaBC also includes education and awareness initiatives for local communities, emphasising the vital role of seagrass ecosystems in sustaining both environmental health and community wellbeing.
“Seagrass mapping is only one part of the programme. The other equally important aspect is involving the communities living along seagrass meadows — to nurture stewardship, instil a sense of responsibility, and empower them to protect this crucial habitat,” she said.
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