Malaysia’s Fisheries Department is amending regulations to protect nine whale and dolphin species, strengthening conservation and aligning with international standards.

PUTRAJAYA: The Department of Fisheries Malaysia (DOF) is amending regulations to add nine marine mammal species to the country’s official protection list.

Director-general Datuk Adnan Hussain (pix) said the amendment to the Fisheries (Control of Endangered Species of Fish) Regulations 1999 aims to strengthen protection and law enforcement against threats like bycatch and habitat disturbance.

The nine species proposed for listing are Balaenoptera omurai, Peponocephala electra, Feresa attenuata, Tursiops aduncus, Stenella coeruleoalba, Stenella attenuata, Ziphius cavirostris, Steno bredanensis and Kogia sima.

All are whales and dolphins recorded in Malaysian waters that require additional monitoring to prevent population decline.

The move coincides with International Marine Mammal Protection Day and forms part of a broader conservation strategy.

This includes developing a National Plan of Action (NPOA) for the dugong, based on the latest scientific findings.

“Dugong (Dugong dugon) is an indicator species for the health of coastal marine ecosystems,” Adnan said.

He added that it is closely linked to the sustainability of seagrass beds that support fisheries and blue carbon storage.

The amendment supports a comprehensive approach to conserve dugongs and other marine mammals.

This aligns with national biodiversity goals and targets to expand marine protected areas by 2030.

“The DOF remains committed to strengthening marine resource governance through science-based approaches,” Adnan stated.

He highlighted strategic collaboration with various stakeholders as a key component.

The initiative also supports compliance with international trade standards like the US Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA).

While not directly subject to the US law, Malaysian fisheries must meet comparable bycatch control standards for exports.

Adnan explained that countries exporting to the US must ensure their management systems match US protection standards.

The ecosystem-based NPOA for Dugong will focus on marine spatial management and empowering coastal communities.

It will also work to reduce bycatch risks and protect critical habitats like seagrass beds.

These seagrass beds are considered part of the nation’s important Blue Carbon assets.

 The Sun Malaysia