PENANG, 28 April 2014 - Recognising the immense threat to oceans and beaches by pollution, a group of Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) students took the initiative to organise a special programme to safeguard these treasures of the earth.

USM through the Scuba Club working in collaboration with the seafood-based manufacturer Pacific West, jointly organised the Ocean Awareness Week (OAW) 2014 which will be held from May 3 to May 10 at USM and in Penang.

USM Sports and Recreation Centre Director, Muhamad Muhd. Hanif said the annual programme which is in its second year, is organised with the goal to promote public awareness on two key issues involving the Endangered Marine Spesies and Marine Debris on Beaches.

He said that with the slogan ‘Go Blue’, OAW is designed to raise awareness about the importance of protecting the oceans and the beaches, since the ocean resources serves as the staple food source of most populations around the world.

“OAW was held in conjunction with World Oceans Day which is celebrated around the world since 1992 to raise awareness about the importance of the sea as a source of food, oxygen and medication. This celebration was officially recognised by the United Nations (UN) in 2008,” he said.

He was speaking at a press conference held yesterday to highlight the details of the programme. Also present were Pacific West Branding Manager, Jady Ong and OAW ‘14 Chairman, Quek Yew Aun.

Muhamad also said that this is the first time USM collaborated with corporations such as Pacific West to reach out to university students with the aim to create awareness among the peoples of Penang and others.

OAW is an annual programme that began in 2013 as a USM Scuba Club initiative where most of its members were students of USM School of Biological Sciences.

Quek said that as divers and biology students, members of the club are very closely associated to the beach, ocean, and aquatic life and they feel very sad every time they see or hear the wanton destruction and damage to the natural resources.

“As university students, we will try to make a difference by promoting the ocean awareness campaign to the public. By showcasing the beauty and benefits of the ocean, we hope that people can change their behaviour and view the ocean from a different angle,” he added.

With the theme ‘Endangered Marine Creatures and Marine Debris’, this inaugural programme serves to raise public awareness in protecting and preserving the marine ecosystem while ensuring that the ocean resources can be conserved for future generations.

The programme also has the full support of the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), MareCet, Save Our Seahorses (SOS), and UKM Asian Youth Volunteer Programme (AYVP).

Throughout the week, the organisers will conduct a variety of activities including Run for The Ocean, talks by professional speakers in the field of marine biodiversity preservation, screening of special documentaries, beach cleaning programme, releasing turtle hatchlings, and exhibitions. - Translation: Yong Check Yoon /Text: Marziana Mohamed Alias​​ & Shazreen Sahimi/Photo: Nor Rafizah Md. Zain