Enhancing marine life off Penang South Island

Published by TheStar • 4/5/2023

The Penang South Reclamation Ecology Offset Master Plan (PEOM) strategies include deploying artificial reefs and marine devices, releasing fish and shrimp fries, and building ecologically-enhanced shorelines around the Penang South Island – to ensure and improve the livelihood of fishermen in the vicinity of the reclamation project.

 

As Penang prepares to begin work on its now rescaled Penang South Island (PSI) project by the end of this year, the state government will continue to undertake a number of marine-related studies to protect the environment.

 

The studies are being conducted under the Penang South Reclamation Ecology Offset Master Plan (PEOM), which in many ways is as ambitious as the 2,300-acre (930-hectare) manmade island project off the southern coast of Penang island.

 

The PEOM includes deploying artificial reefs and fish aggregating devices (FADs), releasing fish and shrimp fries, building ecologically-enhanced shorelines around the man-made island, studying the impact of underwater noise on marine life, and others.

 

The studies were commissioned by the Penang government as part of the project’s approval requirements and the administration’s long-term commitment to ensure and improve the livelihood of fishermen in the vicinity of the PSI.

 

Although fishermen can continue to fish during and after the reclamation, the state government is undertaking these initiatives to help boost fish stock and enhance the coastal environment to create new habitats for fish and other marine life for the sustainability of the local fisheries sector.

 

Experienced and well-known marine and fisheries scientists were appointed in December 2020 and January 2023 respectively to conduct these studies.

 

In the following Q&A, Universiti Sains Malaysia’s Centre of Marine and Coastal Studies (CEMACS) director Prof Datuk Aileen Tan and marine scientist Prof Datuk Zulfigar Yasin, and Fanli Marine and Consultancy’s fisheries and aquaculture specialist Dr N. Gopinath shed more light on the ongoing studies.

USM’s Centre of Marine and Coastal Studies (CEMACS) director Prof Datuk Aileen Tan with her research officer studying turbid water coral. Prof Tan is spearheading studies on how to improve fish stock in Penang under the Penang South Reclamation Ecology Offset Master Plan (PEOM).

 

What studies is CEMACS conducting under the PEOM?Tan: Studies on artificial coral reefs and the recruitment of fish and shrimp.

 

The purpose of putting artificial reefs into the sea is to create an artificial ecosystem for marine organisms like fish and also others like the benthic community that is stuck on substrates, and the pelagic community that includes squids. We want artificial reefs to bring in marine organisms, providing them with an alternative habitat.

 

The artificial coral reef study is mainly to determine a suitable site to place the reefs. When we deploy artificial reefs and FADs, we want to make sure they are successful. We should not just assume the fish will move in.

 

In the fish and shrimp recruitment study, we have two areas to look into.

 

First is finding out whether the reclamation site is the main source of fish and shrimp seeds or a transit area, and what will happen to the fish and shrimp when the reclamation project is implemented.

 

Next, we need to look for an offset or alternative area and determine whether the fish and shrimp can survive or do better in the new site compared to the original location.

 

These are things we need to know instead of finger-pointing or making assumptions. Science will provide the data, facts and figures for us to do good modelling and predictions for the future.

‘We are quite confident of enriching the resources there. The question is how big an increase we will be able to achieve,’ says Prof Datuk Zulfigar Yasin.

 

These two components must be done relatively fast and CEMACS has been given one and a half years to complete both studies.

 

As a scientist, I hope the results can provide answers and suggestions on how we can move forward to balance development and environmental protection and make the programme impactful.

 

Can these initiatives help mitigate PSI’s impact? And how?

 

Zulfigar: We will investigate how these two research projects can be used to accentuate our marine resources in southern Penang island.

 

In the case of artificial reefs, we do not have many reefs in the southern part of the island.

 

What is more significant can be found further away around Pulau Kendi.

 

By introducing artificial reefs, we hope to help develop the fisheries resources in the area.

 

What we have in mind is to put these reefs in the water and then follow the development of the reefs and see how much these structures can accentuate the resources.

 

We will also need to identify the location which is optimised for the artificial reefs’ development to be naturalised.

 

It is the same as with unjam (FADs).

 

The only productivity I can see is the increase in the number of reproductive squids in particular areas.

‘Science will provide the data, facts and figures for us to do good modelling and predictions for the future,’ says Prof Datuk Aileen Tan.

 

We hope that by putting these structures in the water, they can provide new habitats for the fish, crabs and other marine organisms in the area – and support the ecosystem.

 

Are there successful examples of similar initiatives?

 

Zulfigar: Deployment of artificial reefs has been done on a wide scale in Malaysia and international waters. Different types of artificial reefs target different organisms to enrich the marine resources in a particular area.

 

There is no reason why we cannot do the same in southern Penang island waters.

 

We are quite confident of the deployment and of enriching the resources there. The question is how big an increase we will be able to achieve.

 

The fish resources will depend on the type of reefs and how fast the structures are naturalised with coral and algae growth on the substrates and reef blocks.

 

This is important to make artificial reefs attractive to marine organisms.

 

Releases of fish and shrimp fries have also been done before, but what is important here is to determine the species that has the likelihood of success in reaching adulthood and maturity.

 

For this, we need to conduct a preliminary investigation into what type of fish and shrimp can be introduced in the area.

 

Much of this has been done for inland waters like rivers, lakes and reservoirs.

 

Our study involves the marine ecosystem but the principles are the same.

 

We would like to see how we can optimise the fish and shrimp introduction so we can get better results.

 

How sustainable are these initiatives and why are they focused around Pulau Kendi?

 

Zulfigar: We must realise that monitoring the artificial reefs and FADs will be key to how we proceed from this point on.

 

For example, it takes many months for the artificial reefs to naturalise, and the reefs’ features and characteristics will change as they evolve in the water.

 

We have been working on Pulau Kendi in the past 30-odd years and we have seen how the structures and characteristics changed.

‘The more studies you do… we will get a clearer picture of reclamation projects and their impact on the marine ecosystem,’ says Dr N. Gopinath.

 

We hope this study will reveal some of this development in the water.

 

This will help us promote the marine resources in the area as well as bring to the fore lessons learned and improve the situation in southern Penang Island.

 

Therefore, the duration of monitoring should be as long as the implementation of the reclamation project.

 

In my view, we need to choose the best location suitable for research and one with the highest chances of success.

 

No doubt, if you put the reefs in Pulau Rimau, you will also see an increase in primary and secondary productivity there.

 

But we have a better chance at Pulau Kendi due to its deeper and better-quality waters.

 

What is CEMACS’ take on the PEOM, based on its expertise and observation?

 

Tan: The PEOM is timely. In my personal view, Malaysia as a maritime nation needs to do more marine-related research.

 

Currently, the research focus is terrestrial and we know little about our sea and coastlines.

 

When it comes to development, we need to conduct research before, during and after the development because no one solution fits all.

 

There must be continuous monitoring, not just for a period of five to six years because impacts can only be felt after five years.

 

If the intention is to implement this project impactfully and successfully, we need continuous commitment to ensure we solve issues if they arise.

 

We are not just talking about reclamation.

 

We are talking about anthropogenic factors and climate change.

 

We need to be very sensitive about these things while we balance the needs of the country and the community.

 

It is best to work together for a win-win situation when implementing such a huge project.

 

My personal view is we need to have a balance because as a developing country,

 

Malaysia needs development.

 

The question is how to develop wisely and sustainably.

 

This is why CEMACS is involved in the PEOM studies.

 

The project proponent is also showing it is serious about balancing development and environmental protection.

 

Penang is unique.

 

We have many green agendas and movements.

 

I believe Penang is leading in this aspect.

 

I believe Penang will try its very best to balance development and protect the environment sustainably.

 

As a scientist, I hope we researchers can find answers and provide options or alternatives to help make tomorrow a better place.

 

Fanli Marine and Consultancy

 

What studies is Fanli undertaking in the PSI project?

 

Gopinath: The studies are:

 

> A comparative study on macrobenthos biodiversity at the reclamation site in relation to similar sites on the western coast of Peninsular Malaysia.

 

> Shoreline ecology enhancement study.

 

> Study on the impact of noise pollution on fish.

 

> Study on shrimp movement.

 

Tell us more about the shoreline enhancement study.

 

Gopinath: The revetment surrounding Island A is a retaining wall strengthened by rocks stretching approximately 9km, and may be able to bring back the old habitat if we can grow marine plants there.

 

The study is focused on enhancing habitat development and heterogeneity of the revetment structure of the man-made island.

 

We are still at the conceptual stage and need to develop appropriate infrastructure that can promote the growth of trees or vegetation on the revetment.

 

We are not certain yet how much we can achieve but we will identify marine plant species that are part of the local coastal habitat to be consistent with the environment at hand.

 

What is the shrimp movement study about?

 

Gopinath: The study which was requested by the Fisheries Department looks at the potential distribution patterns of shrimp distribution such as the banana shrimp (udang putih besar), greasyback shrimp (udang kaki merah), bird shrimp (udang putih kecil), jinga shrimp, and rainbow shrimp (udang kulit keras) in relation to the movements of their seed stock within Penang’s southern waters, which are around the PSI reclamation site and immediately beyond.

 

The prevailing data indicate that shrimp movements are on an east-west pattern, moving from mangroves which act as nursery grounds to deeper water offshore where they breed.

 

The resulting larvae migrate to coastal mangroves to grow into adults.

 

There is no compelling evidence that there is a north-south movement of shrimp resources.

 

In addition, the site does not, and historically, has not supported significant levels of mangrove vegetation along its coastline.

 

Thus, it cannot act as a shrimp nursery ground as some parties have claimed.

 

However, the study we are doing will provide some insight into the matter.

 

We are still at an early stage and still collecting data to increase our understanding of shrimp resources.

 

We expect to complete the study in September this year.

 

The findings will then be presented to the fisheries department for deliberation on the next course of action.

 

What about the noise impact study?

 

Gopinath: We are now at the baseline stage. We have analysed the preliminary data, which we will use as the baseline to determine whether there are changes in the noise level in the southern Penang Island waters as a result of the PSR reclamation works.

 

Noise impacts different marine species differently. Some marine species may not be affected by noise. Some may be impacted (like dolphins).

 

The data will show us a better picture and enable the contractor to modify the construction operations to control the noise level in the water.

 

From your experience, has any other reclamation project been subjected to so many studies?

 

Gopinath: It is rare for reclamation projects to have to conduct studies like these but that does not mean these studies are unnecessary.

 

The more studies you do, the more Malaysia will benefit because we will get a clearer picture of reclamation projects and their impact on the marine ecosystem for necessary measures to be taken.

 

Perhaps in the past, such projects were not monitored so closely and in such detail.

 

But PSI may set the benchmark for other reclamation projects in the future. Similar studies may be conducted for future reclamations.