Latest news with #CentreforMarineandCoastalStudies
The Star
15-07-2025
- 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.
The Star
03-07-2025
- Science
- The Star
USM prof wins Unesco award for contributions to ocean science
Photo courtesy of USM, via Facebook GEORGE TOWN: Malaysian marine scientist Professor Datuk Dr Aileen Tan Shau Hwai, who is also the director of the Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies (Cemacs) at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), has once again made headlines internationally by being awarded the prestigious Anton Bruun Medal. USM said on Thursday (July 3) that this is the highest international recognition in the field of ocean science, acknowledging Tan's dedication to ocean and marine research, thereby elevating the name of USM and Malaysia on the global stage. "The prestigious award was presented to Tan in conjunction with the 33rd Session of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) Assembly under the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco), in Paris recently. "This recognition not only reflects Tan's excellence in the field of marine ecosystem management and conservation but also proves USM's capability as a leading higher education institution in world-class research," the statement said. In conjunction with the medal conferment, Tan also delivered the prestigious Anton Bruun Memorial Lecture titled "Co-Generating Ocean Solutions: Empowering Coastal Communities through Science and Policy Integration". According to USM, in Tan's lecture, she emphasised the critical need for science to be utilised for the well-being of all humanity, not merely for the scientific community. She also urged the implementation of a comprehensive approach that includes all levels of society in sustainable ocean governance. The statement noted that Tan stressed that science connects humans, and humans are connected to nature. She called for cross-disciplinary and cross-sectoral collaboration to ensure inclusive and implementable ocean solutions, with people at the core of every effort. "As a leader in community-based marine conservation and sustainable aquaculture, Tan also shared success stories resulting from her collaborations with coastal communities in Malaysia, where science has been humanized and created tangible impact and value, translated through increased income, gender empowerment, and continuous ecosystem care," it said. The statement said that from oyster farming initiatives to eco-youth entrepreneurship, Tan also emphasised the importance of prioritising people, delivering information concisely and clearly, and impactful communication. Tan's practical approach, rooted in local culture and knowledge transfer, has garnered global attention as an effective and inclusive model for ocean action, according to USM. The Anton Bruun Medal is awarded to individuals who have made important and significant contributions to the advancement of earth solid studies, physical and chemical oceanography, meteorology, and marine biology, in conjunction with the biennial IOC Assembly. The Anton Bruun Medal also recognises individuals' outstanding contributions in advancing marine science. This award is not only an acknowledgment of Tan's decades of dedication in marine science and coastal community development but also symbolises Malaysia's growing prominent role in the global ocean agenda under the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. - Bernama
New Straits Times
03-07-2025
- Science
- New Straits Times
USM marine scientist awarded prestigious Anton Bruun Medal
GEORGE TOWN: Universiti Sains Malaysia's (USM) marine scientist and Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies director Professor Datuk Dr Aileen Tan Shau Hwai has once again made her mark on the international stage. Most recently, Tan was chosen to receive the prestigious Anton Bruun Medal — one of the highest international recognitions in ocean science — during the 33rd session of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Assembly under United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation. In conjunction with the award, Tan delivered the distinguished Anton Bruun Memorial Lecture titled "Co-Producing Ocean Solutions: Empowering Coastal Communities Through Science and Policy Integration." Her address underscored the urgent need for science to serve humanity, not merely the scientific community, but also advocate for a whole-of-society approach to ocean governance. "Science connects people. People connect to nature," she reminded the global audience, calling for collaboration across disciplines and sectors to ensure inclusive, actionable ocean solutions, with the people at the heart of it. A trailblazer in community-based marine conservation and sustainable aquaculture, Aileen shared success stories from her work with coastal communities in Malaysia, where science has been humanised and created impacts and bringing values —translated into better livelihoods, gender empowerment, and ecosystem stewardship. From oyster farming initiatives to youth eco-entrepreneurship, she believed strongly in serving the people first, simplifying information, impactful communications and most of all, creating trust and staying true to the mission and vision, which captured global attention as a practical and culturally rooted approach to ocean action. Established in 1970, the Anton Bruun Medal is dedicated to the memory of the noted Danish oceanographer and first chairman of the Commission, Dr Anton Frederick Bruun. The medal is awarded to those who make important developments in the fields of solid earth studies, physical and chemical oceanography and meteorology, and marine biology during the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission's Assembly, every two years. The Anton Bruun Medal recognises individuals for outstanding contributions to the advancement of marine science. This award recognises not only Tan's decades-long dedication to marine science and coastal community development, but also of Malaysia's growing leadership in the global ocean agenda under the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development.
