PENANG, 3 August 2025 – A pioneering research collaboration between Malaysia and Japan is casting new light on the mysterious ecosystems thriving thousands of meters beneath the ocean surface.

The Universiti Sains Malaysia’s Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies (CEMACS), Marine Ecology Research Centre (MERC) on Gaya Island, and Japan’s National Museum of Nature and Science have joined forces to study deep-sea biodiversity and safeguard fragile marine habitats.

This alliance focuses on marine benthic invertebrates—seafloor-dwelling creatures essential to the planet’s ecological balance.

By examining species retrieved from Japanese waters at depths exceeding 6,000m, scientists hope to gain insights into the resilience of ocean life and the mounting threats it faces from human activity and climate change.

Science Meets the Public: “A Peep into the Deep”

To raise awareness and share the marvels of the deep sea, MERC launched the exhibition “A Peep into the Deep” on 15 July 2025.

The exhibition features specimens previously showcased at Underwater World Langkawi and now brought to Sabah, where they continue to fascinate visitors and highlight the urgency of marine conservation.

Among the sobering revelations of the deep: plastic bags and food wrappers found nearly 11,000m below the surface—a stark reminder of our environmental footprint reaching even the ocean's most remote realms.

Sad to say, this disturbing discovery underscores just how far our influence reaches into the natural world.

CEMACS and MERC: Champions of Marine Sustainability

Since its founding in 2006, MERC has spearheaded efforts such as giant clam propagation, coral reef restoration, and seagrass rehabilitation.

It has cultivated all seven giant clam species native to Malaysia, while also driving environmental education.

In 2023, CEMACS and MERC established the South China Sea’s first Ocean Acidification Monitoring Station, equipped with Autonomous Reef Monitoring Structures (ARMS) that track the effects of climate change on marine life, particularly the impact of rising acidity on coral and mollusk larvae.

Education, Conservation, and Hope

Both CEMACS and MERC emphasise that science is not just an academic pursuit or confined to labs, but it is a hands-on mission.  

CEMACS, being a centre of excellence and a Living Lab of USM, blends research with experiential learning, opening doors for students and the public alike to participate in conservation.

By combining research, education, and outreach, MERC has become a place where people from all walks of life can learn about and participate in conservation.

The work of both centres demonstrates that marine preservation and sustainable tourism can go hand in hand, fostering a culture of stewardship among both locals and visitors.

With cross-border partnerships and exhibitions that blend awe and urgency, Sabah is shaping the future of ocean stewardship—starting with curiosity and ending with a shared responsibility to protect Earth’s final frontier.

Original text: Dr. Annette Jaya Ram, CEMACS, USM/ Editing: Tan Ewe Hoe/ Photo: CEMACS, USM