Sembilan Islands, Perak Survey Report
3 February 2012, 6:15 pm



During the second week of January 2012, the RCM team headed off to the West Coast to conduct surveys of the Sembilan Islands in Perak. The islands are more popular for fishing activity and snorkelers and divers only visit occasionally.

The Sembilan Islands, which comprises a cluster of nine islands, have no protection status. They are however considered to be one of the last remaining significant coral reef areas on the West coast of Peninsula Malaysia. Due to their potential biodiversity value and importance in maintaining biological connectivity between reef areas on the West coast, they are considered to be a suitable site for protection and conservation.

The importance of protection is further bolstered by proposed industrial developments in nearby Pangkor and the mainland, which could have significant impacts on the islands.

The RCM survey report of the Sembilan Islands first of all gives an indication of the health of the reefs around the islands. It also makes recommendations for protection of the Islands. Recognising that the Sembilan Islands are a traditional fishing grounds for generations of fishermen, the current model in Malaysia for gazetting Marine Parks are therefore not suitable for the islands. The report recommends a more flexible approach that also takes into account the needs of local stakeholders.

The benefits of affording a form of protection for the Sembilan Islands are also stated in the report.

Malaysia has a commitment under the Convention on Biodiversity to protect 10% of its marine resources. We need to show that we are really serious when it comes to protecting our coral reefs. The Sembilan Islands is one of the last bastions for coral reefs on the West coast, if not the last. We need to protect it before it disappears.

Download a copy of the Sembilan Islands Survey report

Source: Reef Check Malaysia