Scientist: Malaysia's diverse marine mammals face growing threat from coastal development

 By Olivia Miwil

December 10, 2025 @ 4:21pm

Malaysia has some of Southeast Asia’s most diverse marine mammals, but many of these species are facing mounting threats, a scientist said during a workshop on developing Malaysia’s first National Plan of Action (NPOA) for the Conservation and Management of Marine Mammals 2026-2035.

KOTA KINABALU: Malaysia has some of Southeast Asia's most diverse marine mammals, but many of these species are facing mounting threats, a scientist said.

"Our country has at least 27 marine mammal species, making Malaysia one of the most diverse in the region.

"These include coastal residents such as the Irrawaddy dolphin, Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin, finless porpoise and dugong, as well as seasonal visitors like Bryde's whales and spinner dolphins.

"These species occupy a wide range of habitats, from Kuching Bay in Sarawak and Johor's east coast near Tioman Island, to Brunei Bay shared by Sabah and Sarawak, Sabah waters, including Tun Mustapha Park, and the Langkawi archipelago," said non-governmental organisation Marine Mammal Conservation's scientific officer, Dr Vivian Kuit, during a workshop on developing Malaysia's first National Plan of Action (NPOA) for the Conservation and Management of Marine Mammals 2026-2035.

Despite this rich diversity, Dr Kuit said, decades of coastal development and intensifying marine activities were putting increasing pressure on these species.

Key threats include accidental catch and entanglement in fishing gear, loss of critical habitats, such as seagrass beds, mangroves and estuaries, underwater noise pollution from seismic surveys and vessel strikes, particularly involving larger whale species.

In his officiating speech, Fisheries Department Policy and Strategic Planning Division director Nazri Ishak said the NPOA was critical not merely as a policy document, but as a shared roadmap for all parties involved in managing, conserving and researching marine mammals.

"The NPOA for marine mammals reinforces Malaysia's commitment to the Convention on Biological Diversity, CITES and the National Policy on Biological Diversity 2022-2030, elevating marine mammal conservation as a national priority while ensuring the plan remains practical for implementation by all parties."

He thanked the Marine Research Foundation (MRF) for co-organising the workshop, acknowledging its strong technical collaboration and continued commitment to regional conservation efforts.

Present were MRF director Dr Nicolas Pilcher and key stakeholders from across the country, including federal and state agencies, such as the fisheries, wildlife and forestry departments, enforcement bodies, research institutions and non-governmental organisations.