Latest news with #AileenTan
The Star
5 days ago
- Science
- The Star
Working to clean up the bottom of the ocean
KOTA KINABALU: Pitch black, cold, silent. The bottom of the ocean, where sunlight does not reach, where weird and unusual sea creatures dwell is now home to something else - trash from above, forcing both dead and living things to co-exist. There are metals, scraps, plastics, and many other rubbish that are discarded from land, which along the way become accidental food that eventually kills marine creatures. Degradation of this rubbish takes up to hundreds of years, but still, they can turn into micro-plastics and micro-metals that end up in our bodies when we consume water and eat, revealed Prof Datuk Dr Aileen Tan, director for the Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies. She said people only see what is above the sea, and seldom take notice of what happens underwater, but there is life beyond those cold, dark, ocean floors and it is quickly becoming landfills, threatening not only marine creatures but also humans. On the other hand, from the deep end, going further up, thousands of sea creatures thrive. Dr Abe Woo, a marine researcher with Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), said some are alien-looking, like a type of sea cucumber scientifically known as Scotoplanes or called sea pigs, and some are parasitic, like the Simenchelys parasitica. He said this during an exhibition on deep-sea creatures launched at the Marine Ecology Research Centre (MERC), Gaya Island here, Tuesday (July 15). The scientist, who is also attached to the Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies (Cemacs), said studies and education on marine biology, the impact of environmental neglect, as well as the importance of conservation, were vital in maintaining a healthy ocean ecosystem. Woo said this part of the world - the Bornean islands within the Sulu Sea, Sulawesi Sea, Java Sea, Flores Sea and Makassar straits, among others - is the centre of maximum marine biodiversity in the world. 'So if we do not protect this part of the world where it is known to have three times the marine diversity compared to other seas, then we are looking at destruction,' he said, adding that with 70% of the earth covered in water, it would spell disaster for the world. He said this exhibition, which runs until September this year, would showcase 13 deep-sea specimens, offering visitors a rare glimpse into life in the ocean's depths. This exhibition will focus on advancing research related to the Biodiversity of Marine Benthic Invertebrates, with a strong emphasis on conservation efforts. It is a collaborative initiative by Merc, Cemacs, USM and the Marine Ecology Research Centre (MERC) in partnership with Universiti Sains Malaysia and the Japanese National Museum of Nature and Science in the Conservation Initiative. Key activities will include surveying, sampling, and identifying diverse marine invertebrates found in the waters surrounding Pulau Gaya and Pulau Sepanggar. This project will be headed by Prof. Dr. Toshihiko Fujita, Head of the Department of Zoology at the Japanese National Museum of Nature and Science, as well as Prof Tan. In his opening remarks, Prof Toshihiko said this exhibition is not just to display the rare and wondrous deep-sea specimens, but a collective responsibility to protect the ocean. He said these creatures were retrieved from depths of over 2,000m around Japanese waters. 'Visitors will discover not just the beauty of the unknown, but also the challenges of life under immense pressure, cold, and darkness, and the remarkable technologies that allow us to explore these mysteries,' he said.
Free Malaysia Today
03-07-2025
- Science
- Free Malaysia Today
USM professor wins Unesco award for contributions to marine science
USM's Aileen Tan (right) poses with her Anton Bruun Medal after receiving it from Unesco. (USM Facebook pic) PETALING JAYA : Aileen Tan, director of Universiti Sains Malaysia's (USM) marine and coastal studies centre, has been awarded the Anton Bruun Medal by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco). The award is one of Unesco's most prestigious international recognitions for those who have made significant contributions to marine science. Tan, a professor in USM's school of biological sciences, received the award at Unesco's 33rd Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) Assembly yesterday. Tan has been considered a pioneer in marine conservation and green aquaculture and was most notably the first Malaysian to successfully culture oysters via artificial spawning. Her project generated sustainable income for fishermen in Kedah and provided an alternative livelihood for coastal communities. She was the first female president of the Unitas Malacologica, serving from 2013 to 2016 as the head of the global society for malacologists, or scientists who study mollusks. During the IOC assembly, Tan delivered the Anton Bruun Memorial Lecture in conjunction with receiving the award, touching on how to empower coastal communities through science and policy integration, specifically through 'ocean solutions'. 'Science connects people. People connect to nature,' she said, adding that science needed to serve humanity and not just the scientific community. Tan also called for greater collaboration across the different segments of society to provide people-centric, inclusive and actionable solutions to various challenges faced by humanity. Tan has long championed causes for eco-entrepreneurship and marine health throughout her career. She served as part of the international steering committee of several organisations, such as CoastPredict, Global Ocean Oxygen Network and The Ocean Science Fund for All, among others.
The Star
22-04-2025
- General
- The Star
‘Condos' to boost fish population
Home sweet home: The artificial reefs that will be deployed in the waters near Pulau Kendi will provide long-term benefits for the local fishing community in Penang. — ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star GEORGE TOWN: The fish population around Penang island will soon be living in 'flat units and bungalows' as specially designed artificial reefs have been deployed in the sea to create a safe and thriving marine habitat. A total of 20 of these reef structures, resembling miniature unfinished condominiums, are being placed off Pulau Kendi as part of a biodiversity 'township', an initiative aimed at restoring marine life and ecosystems in the southern waters of Penang. Each reef weighs between nine and 21 tonnes, comprising two large units and 18 smaller ones. Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies (Cemacs) director Prof Datuk Dr Aileen Tan said that Universiti Sains Malaysia's research team would monitor and assess the artificial reef and unjam (fish aggregation device) areas to evaluate their effectiveness. 'This is a project we've been planning since 2023. 'The heavy concrete reefs are designed to remain anchored on the seabed, providing safe breeding grounds for fish – almost like a gated community,' she said. The larger reef structures, measuring 3m x 3m x 3.5m, have weighted bottoms to ensure stability on soft seabeds and sloped tops to prevent sediment building up while encouraging marine colonisation. 'They also include 'letterbox' crevices that serve as homes for fish and invertebrates,' she added. Smaller cuboid reefs are also designed with crevices to attract bottom-dwelling marine species, helping to populate the area with fish and prawns. (Click To Enlarge) Penang Infrastructure Corporation Sdn Bhd (PIC) chief executive officer Datuk Seri Farizan Darus said the deployment was a key initiative under the Penang South Island (PSI) Ecology Offset Masterplan (PEOM) – a collaboration between the state government through PIC, Silicon Island Development Sdn Bhd (SIDSB) and Cemacs. 'The artificial reefs will create new habitats for marine life, while the unjam structures are designed to attract and concentrate fish in designated areas,' he said during the launch at KBH Marine Logistics Centre in Macallum Street Ghaut here yesterday. He added that the initiative was part of the government's broader strategy to protect and restore the marine ecosystem, especially in areas surrounding the Silicon Island project. Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Dr Mohamad Abdul Hamid, who launched the project, said it was part of PEOM's comprehensive implementation. 'It also includes mangrove planting, fish and prawn restocking, research grant disbursement, and offshore enhancement efforts,' he said. The prawn restocking programme has already entered its third phase, with fish restocking expected to begin in May. 'To date, 23,200 mangrove trees have been planted, and a research grant has been awarded to Cemacs to study coral recruitment for reef rehabilitation around Pulau Kendi,' Mohamad added. The PSI reclamation project – previously known as Island A – is now called Silicon Island. It is being developed by SIDSB, which also oversees the design and management of Phase 1 reclamation works via turnkey contractor SRS TC Sdn Bhd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Gamuda Bhd.
New Straits Times
22-04-2025
- Science
- New Straits Times
Rubbish likely drifts in from upriver towns, says expert
KUALA MUDA: A key contributor to the pollution of Pantai Tanjung Dawai is garbage and debris from rivers in the northern part of the state, said a marine and coastal studies expert. Universiti Sains Malaysia's (USM) Professor Datuk Dr Aileen Tan said rubbish washing ashore on the beach likely flowed from upriver towns into the sea via Sungai Merbok before tidal currents brought it back inland. "There is no definitive study on Pantai Tanjung Dawai, but the composition of the rubbish from images shared by residents suggests it is most likely domestic waste from upstream," she told the New Straits Times. "The tidal behaviour suggests it drifts in from upstream towns." Tan, who is USM's Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies director, said without a control mechanism upstream, clean-up efforts at the beach will remain short-lived. She proposed installing rubbish barriers near the river mouth of Sungai Merbok and filtration traps in stormwater systems in towns to tackle the issue at the source. "A 1994 study on the Merbok estuary found that tides in shallow nearshore zones reverse earlier than deeper waters, pushing debris towards the shore, where it gets trapped." She added that fostering community-led monitoring and integrating coastal waste awareness into local policy would also be critical for long-term change. Universiti Utara Malaysia maritime affairs expert Associate Professor Dr Zaki Ahmad said the beach's location near the Sungai Merbok mouth makes it a natural catchment for marine debris. "The rubbish in Pantai Tanjung Dawai can be attributed to its geography. It lies at a river mouth, while Pantai Merdeka is sheltered within an enclosed bay," he said. "Prevailing ocean currents and wind direction carry floating debris towards Pantai Tanjung Dawai. The shoreline's shape and tidal patterns further contribute to the accumulation." Zaki said Pantai Merdeka remains cleaner because it is less exposed to these direct currents. "There's also a possibility that the rubbish could have originated from other settlements or towns along the river, such as Sungai Petani or Alor Star." Yusrizal Yusoff, president of the Consumers Association of Kedah, expressed concern about the situation as it reflected a deeper issue with consumer behaviour. "Malaysian's attitude to waste disposal is very disappointing. Much of the waste, particularly plastic, ends up polluting the environment. "We cannot rely solely on the authorities or cleaners to handle this. It is everyone's responsibility to manage their waste."
