NEWSLETTER

Making a Splash!

HAWKSBILL ECO-CLUB

A.K.A Kelab Ekopelancongan Penyu

Karah Lestari (KEKaL)

Officially registered as a society on

17 Oct 2012 with Pendaftar

Pertubuhan Negeri Melaka

11 active members from the local

community in Melaka

More on page 2!

Currents WWF-Malaysia Marine Programme Oct - Dec 2012

Banggi Youth Club (BYC) took 6 years to grow before it was officially registered as

an environmental club. With a wooden headquarter -- the Banggi Education and

Awareness Centre (BEAC) -- formerly the community hall of Kg. Karakit and 135

members, BYC has carried out many environmental related activities and

programmes since 2003, focussing on raising awareness and knowledge in

environmental management and nature appreciation. These activities support the

gazettement of the proposed Tun Mustapha Park.

BYC also lead the implementation of the Green Lifestyle Module (GLM), an

environmental education and awareness programme supported by WWF-Malaysia.

GLM incorporates five learning modules; namely, Anti-Plastic, Recycling,

Composting, Tree Planting and Anti-Fish Bombing and Cyanide Use modules. Five

villages in Banggi are selected for the GLM; Singgamata, Maliangin, Perpaduan,

Karakit and Kg Batu Layar. The activities carried out range from poetry

competitions, poster drawing competitions, talks, puppet shows, gotong-royong,

vegetable planting, composting demonstration, recycle bins making, tree-planting

to school visits.

BYC achieved a significant milestone when all grocery stores in Karakit town agreed

to take part in a ‘No Plastic Day’ campaign in July 2012, whereby no plastic bag is

provided every Friday in line with the goals of GLM’s Anti-Plastic module.

Green Heroes of Banggi Island

Highlights of activities conducted by BYC. © WWF-Malaysia/ Sarmalin Sakirun

“This campaign is a great learning experience for students.” said Cikgu

Haffis Bin Azmi, a Chemistry teacher from SMK Banggi. He added that

the GLM enabled 273 participating students from the school to

experience hands-on recycling, tree planting and composting, which

can encourage students to incorporate these practices in their lifestyle.

Tun Mustapha Park Expedition 2012

http://www.youtube.com/user/TMPE2012

http://blog.naturalis.nl/?p=7347

Consumers Help to Save Live Reef

Fish

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1ba9YV

vX5w

S.O.S On Seafood

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xHbiS6BJ

HDU

Setiu Wetlands : Nature’s Jewel

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ic1hTINW

07A

Video Links For Sharing

Officially registered as a society on 17 October, the Hawksbill Eco-Club or

known locally as Kelab Ekopelancongan Penyu Karah Lestari (KEKaL) is the

latest voice of turtle conservation in Melaka. After the launch of the pilot

partnership on sustainable turtle ecotourism in October 2011 by WWF-

Malaysia and collaborating partners, State Department of Fisheries and

Ismah Beach Resort, a ‘Latihan Asas Ekopelancongan Penyu Melaka’ training

was conducted. 11 local youths were identified from that training and they

subsequently formed a group named ‘Hawksbill Eco-Club’; calling

themselves Turtle Information Assistants.

This group of enthusiastic individuals soon charted their vision on how they

could collectively make a difference through involvement in turtle

conservation. They later participated in a series of trainings to better equip

their guiding skills and turtle knowledge the first of which was patrolling the

beaches during the turtle nesting season last year.

Embracing their roles as turtle stewards, they then initiated several

fundraising activities including selling souvenirs and conducting awareness

programmes at the Turtle Information Centre (TIC) at Padang Kemunting. A portion of the sale proceeds is channeled to support

turtle conservation including Egg Buy-Back (EBB) Scheme to ensure more turtle eggs are protected and incubated in Melaka.

Moreover, they are envisioned to drive sustainable turtle ecotourism by applying proper handling of turtle excursions such as

turtle watch and hatchling release based on guidelines which are currently being reviewed by the Department of Fisheries. The

members officially meet on a monthly basis to discuss on issues and progress of the club. It is hoped that their objectives to carry

out turtle conservation efforts and environmental awareness activities via ecotourism in Malacca can be achieved as the Hawksbills

are “potential” ecotourism asset if managed sustainably and thus become the first model of sustainable Hawksbill turtle ecotourism

in Malaysia.

Introducing Hawksbill Eco-Club

Currents Oct - Dec 2012

Hawksbill Protection - Hatchling Release Event with Kem Terendak, Melaka locks Army’s Support

A symbolic hatchling release on 1 November marked not only the

beginning of the hatchlings’ journey but also commitment by

Royal Intellingence Corps of Kem Terendak’s 3rd Division

Headquarters in lending assistance in nesting monitoring. Kem

Terendak beach is one of the prime nesting beaches for Hawksbill

turtles in the state and WWF-Malaysia has initiated beach patrols

to monitor the nesting population since 2007 with permission and

cooperation from the military base.

The awareness talk on Hawksbill turtle conservation commenced

with WWF-Malaysia presentation on the turtle work and research

that had taken place at Kem Terendak beach since 2007. Data

collected over the years was shared and the importance of

ensuring protection of the beach as a nesting habitat and

interventions to minimise egg poaching were discussed. The key

message of the presentation was to highlight the need to protect

Kem Terendak nesting beach as a turtle sanctuary, which if

successful, would be the first army-based turtle sanctuary in the

country.

Guest of Honour, Colonel Rafizi Bin Hj. Sharif, Chief of Staff of the 3rd Division Headquarters showed keen interest in playing up

the role of Kem Terendak in turtle conservation. He supported the proposal to protect and incubate turtle eggs at the site and to

enhance the role of Kem Terendak military in the nesting monitoring programme conducted during the nesting season.

Approximately 70 army personnel from various divisions were present at the event and displayed interest in turtle conservation

efforts done by WWF-Malaysia. The event was also attended by representatives from the State Department of Fisheries (DoF) and

Padang Kemunting Turtle Information Centre as well as members of the Hawksbill Eco-Club. It is hoped that Kem Terendak in

working together with DoF and WWF-Malaysia and will eventually bring turtle conservation to the next level; to be the country’s

first army-based protected nesting beach with in-situ incubation.

A Hawksbill Eco-Club member interacting with tourists

at the Turtle Information Centre (TIC).

© WWF-Malaysia/ Ooi Ying Cheing

Highlight of the event: Hawksbill hatchlings make their way to the

sea after being released on the beach at Kem Terendak

© WWF-Malaysia/ Ooi Ying Cheing

Chefs & the Sustainable Seafood Movement – Changing One Kitchen at a Time

Keeping customers happy with tantalising dishes may be the main role of most Chefs, but more and more of these culinary

masters are keen to get involved in supporting healthier oceans. Recognising the importance of making sustainable seafood

choices with their clientele and staff, WWF-Malaysia was invited to spread our ocean-friendly messages at two events with an

audience that ranged from seasoned Chefs to up-and-coming Kitchen hotshots.

On 20 October, the International Chefs Day was celebrated

with much food for thought for the members of the Penang

Chefs Association of Malaysia. With the support of WWF-

Malaysia and GST Group, a Sustainable Seafood Awareness

Workshop was organised at the Bayview Resort, Penang

with some 30 members of the association. A talk on the

Save Our Seafood (S.O.S) campaign was delivered by WWF-

Malaysia and the S.O.S guides were later distributed at the

event. To encourage these Chefs to explore Green-Listed

seafood in their menus, samples of cultured fish and

different cooking styles were presented and tasted by the

participants. Chef Peter Chan Weng Seng, the Protem

President of Penang Chefs Association and Chairman of

Chefs of Association of Malaysia (Penang Chapter)

spearheaded this event.

The S.O.S message was also shared at the 'Seacret Gastronomy Dinner Show’ organised by students of the Berjaya

University College of Hospitality on 21 November. Held at ‘Samplings on The Fourteenth’, the tea-pairing, seven-course

menu was prepared by students of Diploma in Culinary Arts with Celebrity Chef, Malcolm Goh, supervising the kitchen.

WWF-Malaysia presented a talk to the 80 diners and the budding Chefs with the hopes that they will play a pivotal role in

the sustainable seafood movement and that more of them will be inspired to make the right seafood choices.

Currents Oct - Dec 2012

Several world-renowned Chefs echoed these thoughts at the 10th International Seafood Summit in Hong Kong last September and

discussed how they are changing their purchasing behaviour, and provided insight into the challenges in implementing these

changes.

Florian Trento – Executive Chef, The Peninsula: “It was fairly easy to create influence as a Chef on what people eat and it

was not an issue for me to get my (seafood) supplies to be more sustainable. This is reflected in The Peninsula’s success in

no longer serving shark fins and using only sustainable caviar in my kitchen.”

Nora Pouillon - Restaurant Nora, Changing Seas: “I run an organic food restaurant in Washington. My awareness on

sustainability started when I noticed that the cuts for fish I was receiving for my restaurant became smaller and smaller.

I am a firm believer in being creative with the food preparation to entice customers to opt for more sustainable seafood

options.”

François Pasteau – Restaurant L’epi Dupin: “ I also agree that Chefs need to be creative with their recipes. The role of Chefs

is not to compromise the flavor and make equally delicious meals with lesser known, more sustainable seafood species.”

Chefs attended the Sustainable Seafood Awareness Workshop in

Bayview Resort, Penang. © WWF-Malaysia/ Nadiah Rosli

Students of the Berjaya University College of Hospitality with Celebrity Chef, Malcom Goh (fourth from right) at the 'Seacret Gastronomy

Dinner Show’ © WWF-Malaysia/ Nadiah Rosli

Working to Combat Fish Bombing in Semporna

The need to strengthen collaboration between dive operators, government agencies and other relevant stakeholders in combating

fish bombing was identified during the Regional Anti-Fish Bombing Symposium in February 2012. Subsequently, WWF’s

Semporna PCA Team organized a “One Day with Government Agencies” for the Department of Fisheries Sabah (DoFS), Malaysian

Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA), and Sabah Parks with resorts managers in the northeast islands of Semporna. Two

important outcomes from the meeting are (1) Reef Dive Resort in Mataking Island and Sipadan Pom-Pom Resort in Pom Pom

Island were chosen as partners in addressing fish bombing issues; and (2) a consensus was reached between resorts managers and

government agencies on how to address these issues.

Following that meeting, Semporna Education Department, Sabah Parks, Marine Conservation Society, and WWF-Malaysia jointly

organised an Interschool Pidato and Poster Drawing Competition in SMK Datuk Panglima Abdullah on 9 October. Seven

secondary school and pre-university students spoke passionately on ways to stop fish bombing, while 15 primary students took

part in the poster drawing

competition.

“The competition helped to raise

awareness among students on the

dangers of fish bombing to humans

and marine lives; encouraged critical

and creative thinking on issues about

fish bombing; and cultivated love for

the marine environment and

understanding for the importance of

managing marine resources

sustainably,” said the District Assistant

Education Officer, Alkonso Haji Salleh

after the competition.

The reward for winners of the Pidato

was a camping trip to Tun Sakaran

Marine Park from 9-11 November,

aimed to expose them to the beauty

of nature and the importance of

conservation. In one of the creative

sessions, a student came up with a

lovely pantun to encourage others to

join forces to combat fish bombing in

Sabah waters.

Currents Oct - Dec 2012

Margaret Xu Yu – Restaurant Yin Yang: “I wanted to

support the No Shark Fins cause. I introduced

customers to broth without shark fins, since the key

to shark fin soup was the preparation of the broth. I

replaced the fins with Japanese glass noodles and

promote varied flavours in the menu. The challenge

of promoting sustainable seafood awareness in Asia

still requires the approach of the ‘dollar sign’. Until

we can convince Chefs, retailers and suppliers that

serving sustainable seafood is profitable, it is hard

to implement this. “

Olivia Wu - Executive Chef, Google: “It is important

for Chefs and consumers to be reconnected with

the source of the meals they eat. Google is working

to create a standardized process for allowing local

producers and consumers to make transactions.

They aim to ensure fishermen receive higher compensation for their catch and that consumers receive the freshest seafood

with the greatest convenience - called Fish Direct Programme.”

World-renowned chefs shared their thoughts on being on the frontline of

the sustainable seafood movement and how to implement this change in

their kitchens. At the panel, “Making a Difference Around the World, One

Recipe at a Time” – (from left) Florian Tento (Executive Chef, The Peninsula),

Nora Pouillon (Restaurant Nora), François Pasteau (L’epi Dupin), Margaret

Xu Yu (Restaurant Yin Yang). © WWF-Malaysia/ Nadiah Rosli

Sungguh terang warna semantan, Tumbuh melata tepian sena,

Hancur karang ditelan 'bom ikan', Peranan kita hilang ke mana?

Terbang berarakan burung di taman,

Bersama rerama indah menghiasi, Bom ikan pemusnah hidupan,

mari bersama kita atasi.

Sulaman kain bermacam-macam, Ambil satu corak setanggi,

Andai marin terus terancam, Cakna bersatu kita lindungi.

Tanah rata tempat bertapa,

Rimbun pohon indah gemersik, Papa harta tidak mengapa, Asal lautan tidak terusik.

Pohon setawar diapit melati,

Indah menyerlah di tengah taman, Kalau benar rasa simpati,

Mari sokong "Anti Bom Ikan"

By Muhammad Adzmin Abd Fatta, SMK Tagasan

(Left) Pantun written by Adzmin; (Right) Winners of the Interschool Pidato Competition,

Muhammad Adzmin Abd Fatta, SMK Tagasan. © WWF-Malaysia/ Monique Sumampouw

Currents Oct - Dec 2012

Reducing Dependence On Trash Fish Aquaculture with Pelleted Feed

The current growth of the aquaculture sector to meet the country’s

increasing demand for fish could be seen as a viable option to take the

pressure off the overexploited fish stocks in our oceans. However, the

sector is still highly dependent on trash fish as fish feed especially for

high-value marine carnivorous species such as Groupers. Sustainability

of using trash fish as food source for cultured stocks is a widespread

concern as they are often juvenile fishes whereby removing these fishes

in large quantities from the marine ecosystem will adversely affect the

marine food chain. According to the Department of Fisheries, an

estimated 340,000 metric tones (MT) or 25 percent of capture fisheries

comprised trash fish and it is further projected to increase to 380,000

MT by 2015. Almost 90 percent of cultured fish in the country are fed

with trash fish, with the ratio for trash fish to feed one cultured fish is

6:1 for Groupers and 7:1 for seabass.

Groupers (Epinephelus sp.) are popular reef fish of high market value in Southeast Asia. It has been farmed commercially in

marine cages in Taiwan, Thailand, Indonesia Malaysia, Singapore and China. However, many cage fish farmers experienced

low survival rates of around 30-40% or even lower due to many factors including parasitic, bacterial and viral diseases.

These diseases are assumed to have originated from trash fish which is traditionally given as feed. Additionally, trash fish

also contribute to rapid deterioration of water quality in the culture system. Many fish farmers believed that groupers

would show slow growth and develop cannibalistic behavior with poor survival rate when they are cultured in tanks using

pelleted feed as compare to sea cages using trash fish.

The low survival rate of Tiger grouper in cage culture as well as unproven claims of slower growth rate of Tiger grouper

when cultured in tanks using pelleted feed had initiated Fisheries Research Institute (FRI) Gelang Patah, Johor and WWF-

Malaysia to run an experiment on culturing Tiger grouper (E. fuscoguttatus) in tanks. The experiment was carried out at FRI

Gelang Patah in a re-circulated water system under controlled conditions to determine the growth performance, survival

rate and taste of Tiger grouper culture using commercial pelleted feed.

A batch of 667 Tiger grouper fries were fed with a commercially available dry pellet and their growth rates were monitored

for a period of one year before harvested. Twenty-two Tiger groupers from the trial were brought to Golden Sand Beach

Resort Hotel, Batu Feringghi, Penang on 8th June 2012 for sensory tasting by invited guest. The fish were steamed by the

hotel’s Chefs and then given to more than 100 guests to rate the taste by using a survey form. Results of the survey showed

that the tank-cultured Groupers were found to have an average taste comparable to wild-caught ones. Therefore, under

this project, there was a big potential of culturing Tiger grouper in tanks using pelleted feed and obtain higher survival rate

(more than 70%) compared to sea cages (between 30-40%).

Water quality in the fibre glass tank was checked regularly.

© WWF-Malaysia/Ernest Chiam

© FRI

The Tiger Grouper fries for the study were acquired from a private

hatchery in Besut, Terengganu. © FRI

Currents Oct - Dec 2012

Malaysia Hosts 8th CTI-CFF Senior Officials Meeting

(SOM8) and 4th Ministerial Meeting (MM4)

Malaysia, through the Science, Technology and Innovation

Ministry (MOSTI), hosted the 8th Coral Triangle Initiative-

Coral Reefs Fisheries and Food Security (CTI-CFF) Senior

Officials Meeting (SOM8) and the 4th Ministerial Meeting

(MM4) from 22 to 26 November 2012 in Kuala Lumpur.

There were few significant outcomes from the meetings

apart from sharing new and innovative ideas, tools,

modalities and recommendations in addressing issues

facing the region, such as encroachment by foreign fishing

vessels. At the regional level, the six member countries of

the Coral Triangle signed the Agreement on the CTI-CFF

Regional Secretariat Establishment, reaffirming

commitments to expedite the process of ratification and

finalize the establishment of the CTI-CFF Regional

Secretariat. In addition, 9 June was approved as Coral

Triangle Day- a modern-day icon of the natural world and

highlight the importance of oceans in people's lives and the

need to protect them for future's food security and liveli-

hood.[1]

At national level, Science, Technology and

Innovation Minister Datuk Seri Maximus Ongkili, who

currently chairs the initiative, said Malaysia was keen to

promote a Blue Economy or blue carbon approach that

uses carbon accounting to quantify ecosystem service

value. The Tun Mustapa Park in Sabah targeted to be

declared a new marine conservation area by 2015, will

serve as a pilot project for our blue carbon approach that

integrates environmental conservation and restoration with

climate change adaptation and sustainability.

CTI-CFF was proposed by H. E Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono

of Indonesia to other leaders in Malaysia, Philipines, Papua

New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Timor Leste as a new

multilateral partnership to safeguard the region’s marine

and coastal biological resources in the CT region, in August

2007.

Conservation Director, Dr. Sundari Ramakhrisna (L) briefed Datuk

Seri Maximus Ongkili during the booth visit.

© WWF-Malaysia/ Angela Lim

WWF-Philippines Hosted Field Visit

to Tuna Fishery BMP in General Santos and Legazpi

WWF-Malaysia in Semporna has a vision to have 50% tuna

fishers and middlemen to agree and implement Best

Management Practice (BMP) and its benefits are to be

shared among fishers, middlemen and relevant authorities

in Semporna Priority Conservation Areas (PCA), by 2015.

However, Semporna PCA has no experience on working in

this programme and finds it essential to learn from other

neighbouring countries such as the Philippines. Therefore, a

field site visit to General Santos and Legazpi, Philippines was

hosted by Dr Jose Ingles, WWF-Philippines from 21-27

November 2012.

The field visit aimed to observe, learn and discuss on the

BMP for tuna fishery and the proposed BMP initiative in

Semporna PCA. Discussion within the group during the visit

highlighted a few gaps that need to be addressed and filled

instantly. Among others, an organisation that are led and

comprised of tuna fishermen with support from relevant

authorities need to be formed and the need to provide

better facilities to upgrade their post-harvest and landing

infrastructures to achieve the standard level for international

certifications.

Representative from Department of Fisheries Sabah and

Persatuan Nelayan Kawasan (PNK) Semporna expressed

their interest to work closely in implementing BMP in Tuna

Fisheries in Semporna. WWF-Malaysia looked forward to the

cooperation with both stakeholders in order to help

promote fisheries sustainability at the community level while

addressing key elements such as job security, livelihood and

food security especially in tuna fishing industry.

Estimated tuna landings by the Mabul fishing fleet

amounted to 1,987 tons and 461 tons of non-tuna species.

The value tuna landings based on gate prices is 6.53 million

Ringgit and for non tuna, 1.38 million ringgit.

WWF-Malaysia and Reef World International visit Department of

Fishery Puerto Galera, Mindoro Province - Philippine.

© WWF-Malaysia/ Suffian Julmohamad

[1] Source taken from CTI-CFF Interim Regional Secretariat New Year

Message, dated 7 January 2013.

Currents Oct - Dec 2012

Sabah Parks and WWF-Malaysia conducted a one-day training for the facilitators involved in the Tun Mustapha Park (TMP)

Roadshow on 21 November. The training was conducted to ensure that the facilitators will have similar knowledge and

follow standard guideline when conducting consultations with the communities in the proposed park. Following the training,

a half-day survey involving five heads of villages was organised by Sabah Parks. The pilot survey was facilitated by WWF-

Malaysia, with support from other agencies including Ko-Nelayan, Department of Fisheries Sabah, Sabah Forestry

Department, Land and Survey, Banggi District Office, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA), as well as a

representative from Banggi FELCRA Berhad. After briefing on TMP, the heads of villages were grouped into different

regions of the zoning plan and were asked to fill in a feedback form. At least two facilitators of different agencies were

appointed to assist each group. The TMP Roadshow covered six villages in Kota Marudu District in December to socialise

the draft Zoning Plan and to gather feedback from local communities. More consultations are scheduled in coming months

for villages in and around the proposed Tun Mustapha Park area.

Public Consultations for the proposed TMP

A total of 48 participants from villages namely Maliangin, Kg. Perpaduan, Kg. Karakit, Kg Damaran, Kg Maliyu, Kg Batu Layar and

Maliangin Island Community Association (MICA) attended the pandanus handicraft workshop organised by Handicraft Malaysia.

Throughout the one-week workshop, each participant learnt to produce four types of new crafts; i.e., box, file folder, pillow and

handbag using pandanus leaves. These delicate handicrafts were displayed during the closing ceremony officiated by Wakil Rakyat

N1 Banggi, YB Abdul Mijul bin Hj Unaini. Participants received certificate for completion of training and YB Abdul Mijul handed

over the list of participants to Director of Handicraft Malaysia to be included as members of 'Satu Daerah Satu Industri' (One

District, One Industry Programme). Two weavers were also selected by Handicraft Malaysia to participate in the National

Handicraft Day scheduled to be held in February 2013. This training is part of the effort to develop sustainable and alternative

livelihood for the community around the Maliangin Sanctuary, one of the demonstration sites for benefits of marine protected

area (MPA) within the proposed Tun Mustapha Park.

Pandanus Handicraft Making Workshop

Highlights from the Pandanus Handicraft Making Workshop in Karakit. © WWF-Malaysia/ Liew Hui Ling

(Left) Irwanshah Mustapha, Team Leader of Kudat-Banggi PCA Team, WWF-Malaysia, provide introduction to Tun Mustapha Park and

the draft zoning plan. (Right) Facilitator assisting one of the heads of villages in filling the feedback form. © WWF-Malaysia/Cecilia Chu

ww

f.org

.my

For more information, please contact:

Nadiah Rosli

Communications Officer

Peninsular Malaysia Seas Programme

Email: nrosli@wwf.org.my

Liew Hui Ling

Communications Officer

Marine Programme

Email: hlliew@wwf.org.my

WWF-Malaysia

49, Jalan SS23/15, Taman Sea,

47400 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia

WWF-Malaysia, Petaling Jaya

Tel: +603 7803 3772

Editorial Team

Contributors:

Chitra Devi, Ernest Chiam, Lau Min Min, Liew

Hui Ling, Liza Jaafar, Nadiah Rosli, Nurul

Bariyah Babu, Suzianah Ramlee

Editors: Angela Lim, Alexa Antal

Advisors: Monique Sumampouw, Gangaram

Pursumal, Robecca Jumin,

Announcements

We thank the following Mariners who left our

organisation this quarter and we wish them

all the best in their endeavors:

Irwanshah Bin Mustapa, Team Leader of

Kudat-Banggi PCA Project,

Zainab Karim, Community Liaison Officer,

Semporna PCA Project

Cecilia Chu, Fisheries Officer, SSME

Programme

Fahrol Liza Jaafar, Community Liaison

Officer, Hawksbill Turtle Conservation

Melaka

Suffian Julmohamad, Programme Officer

(Fisheries), Semporna PCA Project

We also welcome Carol Phua and Alexa

Antal. Carol joined WWF-Malaysia as the

new Head of Marine Conservation in

November 2012. She has worked at the

WWF European Policy Office as Senior

Fisheries Policy Officer and is currently WWF-

Netherlands’ Senior Marine Advisor.

Alexa from WWF-Hungary, part of Central-

Eastern-European region will be supporting

SSME team for one year as Communications

Manager when Angela leaves for her

sabbatical. Alexa joined WWF-Hungary in

2008 as Brand and PR Manager.

What's in Store for PMSeas in the Next 3 years?

“19 November, 2012 – We, the Peninsular Malaysia Seas team and a few

more brazen gracious allies of the oceans, being shipwrecked during a

dreadful storm, came ashore on this island, which we called “Island of Ideas”;

the ship’s company miraculously survived, all 19 of us. We walked about on

the shore until we reached a curious location by the name of ‘Shah’s Village

Resort’ to seek refuge for the next 4 days.

With the team dry and with food and necessities for our relief, it renewed

our spirit and the rest of the day was spent contemplating on the present

and new targets to steer our ship’s course for the next three years.

20 November, 2012 - In the morning, we resolved to fortify our agendum by

first revisiting threats afflicting our beloved fish species and turtles as well as

terrapins. It has been three long years since we last carried out the threat

ranking; we identified the most severe to the least and none were to our

liking. In the afternoon after some good victuals, we reflected upon several

new threats such as aquaculture. We then employed ourselves to work on

our scrolls, working on conceptual models for both our major consternations

which are Fisheries & Aquaculture and Turtles & Painted Terrapins.

21 November, 2012 – This day went by with us deliberating on the drivers

and opportunities, and much apprehension was felt when conceiving the

strategies. With 19 strong heads and strong voices, these deliberations were

done with much fervor resulting in an extremely rewarding outcome.

22 November, 2012 – Fair weather surfaced and the promise of being

delivered home resuscitated us. We went to work on charting our course for

the next three years completing it after much labour. The new plans will

bring about new winds of change but we foresee thunder and lightning

accompanying these plans. But along with the new horizon, a new ship was

brought ashore and we left the island with invigorated ambition and

optimism in performing our duty to the oceans.”

“It is never too late to be wise.”― Daniel Defoe, Robinson Crusoe

The team members in high spirits to continue performing their duty to the oceans.

© WWF-Malaysia/Nadiah Rosli

© WWF-Malaysia/Sharifah Ruqaiyah