TELUK BAHANG, 17 November 2025 – The Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies (CEMACS), Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), hosted an official visit from the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (KPKM), Dato’ Seri Isham Ishak, accompanied by the Director General of the Department of Fisheries (DOF) Malaysia, Dato’ Adnan Hussain, along with senior representatives from various government agencies.

The delegation was welcomed by Director of CEMACS, Prof. Dato’ Dr. Aileen Tan Shau Hwai, alongside the incoming Director, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mahadi Mohammad, who jointly delivered a comprehensive overview of CEMACS’ research strengths, national contributions, and its expanding role in supporting Malaysia’s coastal and marine sustainability agenda.

The visit highlighted CEMACS’ position as a national reference centre for marine science through a tour of the Biodiversity Museum and its research collections, which serve as critical scientific resources for biodiversity assessments, species documentation, conservation planning, and public education on Malaysia’s marine heritage.

The delegation also visited CEMACS’ aquaculture research facilities, where Prof. Aileen introduced ongoing projects on oyster farming and sea grape (latok) cultivation, demonstrating the centre’s commitment to solutions for future food security and resilient aquaculture species amid climate-related disruptions.

These research initiatives highlight CEMACS’ emphasis on nature-based livelihoods and community capacity-building, contributing directly to national sustainability objectives through programmes that align scientific advancement with societal needs.

A technical briefing presented CEMACS’ multidisciplinary efforts covering marine biodiversity assessments, long-term environmental monitoring, coastal habitat restoration, climate and hypoxia studies, and science–community integration, all of which strengthen evidence-based policies and sustainable coastal development strategies.

The centre also continues to articulate the value of ecosystem services provided by seagrass meadows and mangroves, including carbon sequestration, shoreline stabilisation, fisheries support, and enhanced community resilience, reinforcing the significance of nature-based solutions for climate-resilient coastal governance.

The Department of Fisheries Malaysia expressed its appreciation following the visit, noting that the tour of CEMACS’ research and exhibition facilities offered meaningful insights into the centre’s impactful contributions to marine science and national capacity-building.

This positive acknowledgement reflects a strong working relationship between USM, KPKM and DOF, alongside a shared commitment to strengthening Malaysia’s marine governance and sustainability priorities.

The presence of the KPKM Secretary-General underscores the government’s recognition of CEMACS as a strategic national partner in marine and coastal governance, owing to its robust research capacity, active community engagement programmes, and extensive network of collaborators.

CEMACS’ scientific leadership plays a critical role in anticipating risks and shaping long-term adaptation pathways as Malaysia confronts accelerating sea-level rise and climate-driven changes affecting food security.

USM, through CEMACS, remains committed to advancing government collaboration by contributing high-impact research, technical expertise, and capacity-building initiatives aligned with Malaysia’s long-term vision for resilient oceans, sustainable food systems, and Science for the Future.