PUTRAJAYA — The Department of Fisheries Malaysia (DOF) has implemented various marine conservation programmes nationwide in conjunction with World Ocean Week 2026, involving marine species conservation, habitat restoration, marine waste management, fisheries resource enhancement, and public education.
The department said the programmes, held at several locations across the country, involved the cooperation of government agencies, higher education institutions, non-governmental organisations and local communities.
Director-General of Fisheries Datuk Adnan Hussain said marine conservation efforts required continuous commitment and cooperation from all parties, as ocean ecosystems play an important role in supporting fisheries resources, coastal community well-being and environmental balance.
“The programmes carried out in conjunction with World Ocean Week provide an opportunity to strengthen various conservation initiatives implemented by DOF with strategic partners and local communities.
“Every effort, whether in habitat restoration, marine species protection or public awareness, is part of our ongoing commitment to ensure the sustainability of the country’s marine resources and ecosystems,” he said in a statement today.
On the conservation of endangered marine species, DOF said 790 turtle hatchlings, including hawksbill turtles, were released into their natural habitat in Terengganu, Johor and Melaka.
For marine habitat restoration, 3,750 first-generation coral seedlings were planted at Terumbu Layang-Layang in Sarawak, covering an area of 5,000 square metres, while 600 coral nubbins were installed at Pulau Redang to support the recovery of affected coral reef areas.
DOF said coastal and marine clean-up activities also collected 841 kilogrammes of marine debris, including plastic-based materials, polystyrene and abandoned fishing gear.
In Pahang, a special operation was carried out to remove about 100 kilogrammes of ghost nets that could threaten marine life.
The department also relocated 80 crown-of-thorns starfish in a controlled manner in the waters of Rompin to protect coral reef ecosystems.
In Pulau Perhentian, DOF continued the implementation of the Benteng Biru Project through the installation of 1,600 metres of conservation zone buoys and 37 boat mooring buoys to protect sensitive marine areas from physical damage.
To support fisheries resource sustainability, 2,000 barramundi fingerlings were released in Port Dickson under a fisheries resource enhancement programme.
DOF said more than 300 participants, comprising students from higher education institutions, NGOs and local communities, took part in education and awareness programmes held throughout World Ocean Week 2026.
Among the institutions and organisations involved were Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM) and the Penang Green Council.
Participants joined various activities, including field monitoring sessions, briefings on the Fisheries Act 1985 [Act 317] and campaigns to reduce the use of single-use plastics.
DOF also expressed appreciation to all parties involved, including the National Security Council, Royal Malaysian Navy, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency, Department of Wildlife and National Parks, Aquaria KLCC, higher education institutions, NGOs and fishing communities.
The department said it would continue to strengthen marine conservation initiatives through multi-agency cooperation to ensure the country’s fisheries resources and marine ecosystems remain protected.
