Marine Conservation Research Articles

The Development Strategy Tourism in Mapur Island Marine Conservation Area Bintan Regency

The coastal area of Mapur village is a conservation area that is a tourist attraction because of its uniqueness and natural beauty. This aims to increase people's income, utilize seagrapes without exploiting them, and make tourism while still paying attention to preserving the aquatic environment sustainably. This research was carried out in February 2022 in the Bintan Waters, Mapur Island, Bintan Regency, Kepulauan Riau Province. The method used in this study is mixed, including qualitative and quantitative methods. In this study, researchers explored data and information on topics or issues related to strategies for tourism development by describing qualitative and quantitative data using SWOT analysis. In selecting informants, the researchers used a purposive sampling technique with 30 respondents: a village leader, a PKK leader, the LPM, a youth organization leader, an Ecology Foundation Team, three fishermen, and 22 tourists. Results show that Mapur Village can be categorized as a water conservation area, which has now been designated as TWP (Tourism Water Park) in Bintan Timur. This village has excellent potential and is very promising as a tourism destination based on its natural resources, such as abundant sea grapes with high economic value ecological conditions. Waters and social support, beautiful beaches, and coral reefs in good condition all support the development of tourism on Mapur Island. The best strategy is to implement an aggressive approach by maximizing existing strengths and opportunities, which can be done with 4 SO strategies: cultivating sea grapes with eco-farming techniques, utilizing sea grapes and beautiful beaches to bring in tourists, and opening business opportunities for rural communities. They are building cooperation between village communities and the government, universities, and LPM and expanding promotions.

Ocean Planning and Conservation in the Age of Climate Change: A Roundtable Discussion

Synopsis Over recent years, recognition of the need to develop climate-smart marine spatial planning (MSP) has gained momentum globally. In this roundtable discussion, we use a question-and-answer format to leverage diverse perspectives and voices involved in the study of sustainable MSP and marine conservation under global environmental and social change. We intend this dialogue to serve as a stepping stone toward developing ocean planning initiatives that are sustainable, equitable, and climate-resilient around the globe.

Fish species mislabelling in China: evidence from a survey of frozen, dried, and surimi-based fish products marketed as cod-related species

‘Cod’-related species are among the most appreciated marine fish resources around the world, but are also prone to species mislabelling. In the present study, a total of 76 frozen, dried, and surimi-based fish products, sold as ‘Cod’ (59 products), ‘Atlantic authentic Cod’ (11 products), and ‘Authentic Cod’ (6 products), were collected in China. A species-specific LAMP (loop-mediated isothermal amplification) method was used to screen for the presence of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua), Pacific cod (G. macrocephalus), Alaska pollock (G. chalcogrammus), Southern hake (Merluccius australis), which was cross-confirmed using real-time PCR and DNA sequencing methods. The results highlighted the greatest species diversity for ‘Cod’ products, and the identified species were from nine different families. It appears that the practice of assigning a specific type or category of species to the common name ‘Cod’ has not been widely advocated, and the misuse of this ambiguous common name has been a common practice for species adulteration, negatively impacting consumers’ rights and marine conservation. To rebuild consumers’ confidence, retail fish suppliers have differentiated their products by adding specific qualifiers in front of the common name ‘Cod’ on the label, such as ‘Authentic cod’ and ‘Atlantic authentic cod’. The endeavour is highly meaningful, since Gadus morhua was identified as the species for a significant majority of ‘Atlantic authentic cod’ and ‘Authentic cod’ products (64.7%, 11/17), with the remaining six products identified as Alaskan pollock (G. chalcogrammus), Pacific cod (G. macrocephalus) and North Pacific hake (Merluccius productus). Despite the positive effort to reverse species mislabelling from retail on-line fish suppliers, a standardized fish nomenclature stipulated by the responsible authorities remains crucial for enhancing transparency and continuing to reduce species mislabelling.

FISHGLOB_data: an integrated dataset of fish biodiversity sampled with scientific bottom-trawl surveys

Scientific bottom-trawl surveys are ecological observation programs conducted along continental shelves and slopes of seas and oceans that sample marine communities associated with the seafloor. These surveys report taxa occurrence, abundance and/or weight in space and time, and contribute to fisheries management as well as population and biodiversity research. Bottom-trawl surveys are conducted all over the world and represent a unique opportunity to understand ocean biogeography, macroecology, and global change. However, combining these data together for cross-ecosystem analyses remains challenging. Here, we present an integrated dataset of 29 publicly available bottom-trawl surveys conducted in national waters of 18 countries that are standardized and pre-processed, covering a total of 2,170 sampled fish taxa and 216,548 hauls collected from 1963 to 2021. We describe the processing steps to create the dataset, flags, and standardization methods that we developed to assist users in conducting spatio-temporal analyses with stable regional survey footprints. The aim of this dataset is to support research, marine conservation, and management in the context of global change.

Hybrid Intelligence for Marine Biodiversity: Integrating Citizen Science with AI for Enhanced Intertidal Conservation Efforts at Cape Santiago, Taiwan

Marine biodiversity underpins the formation of marine protected areas (MPAs), necessitating detailed surveys to account for the dynamic temporal and spatial distribution of species influenced by tidal patterns and microhabitats. The reef rock intertidal zones adjacent to urban centers, such as Taiwan’s Cape Santiago, exhibit significant biodiversity, yet they are increasingly threatened by tourism-related activities. This study introduces an artificial intelligence (AI)-empowered citizen science (CS) approach within the local community to address these challenges. By integrating CS with AI, we establish a hybrid intelligence (HI) system that conducts in situ biological surveys and educational programs focused on reef ecological conservation. This initiative not only facilitates the collective gathering and AI-assisted analysis of critical data but also uses machine-learning outputs to gauge data quality, thus informing subsequent data collection and refinement strategies. The resulting collectivity and iterative enhancement foster a mutual and continuous HI learning environment. Our HI model proves instrumental in fostering community engagement and public involvement in CS endeavors, cultivating the skills necessary for documenting rocky intertidal biodiversity shifts. These efforts are pivotal for informing the design and governance of future MPAs, ensuring their efficacy and sustainability in marine conservation.

The Ongoing Battle: Understanding the Population Trends of Green Turtles in Peninsular Malaysia

Sea turtles are crucial marine animals. They act as indicator to a healthy marine ecosystem. However, they are subjected to different challenges and threats which results of their declining population. This study looks at the population trends of sea turtles in Malaysia by examining the numbers of nests, eggs, and hatchlings in six states in Peninsular Malaysia which are Perak, Pahang, Melaka, Johor, Terengganu, and Negeri Sembilan. Statistical distribution, hatching success percentage, trend landing and hatching, and linear regression analysis are implemented. The results show that Terengganu, on the east coast, consistently has the highest numbers of nests, eggs, and hatchlings, highlighting its key role in sea turtle conservation. In contrast, Melaka has the lowest numbers, pointing where conservation efforts could be increased. This study provides valuable insights into the differences in green turtle populations across states and identifies critical areas for focused conservation strategies to better protect and help these endangered species recover in Malaysia.

Underwater Photography as an Educational Tool for Environmental Awareness and Marine Conservation

Underwater Photography as an Educational Tool for Environmental Awareness and Marine Conservation

Integrated Coastal Management (ICM) with a Reference on Protection-production Approach: An Initial Lesson of TWP East Bintan, Kepulauan Riau Province

Integrated Coastal Management (ICM) encompasses a holistic marine management strategy that intertwines robust marine ecosystem preservation with sustainable resource utilization. This method aims to harness oceanic resources while advocating for the financial backing of crucial scientific research, sustainable ecosystem management, and support for local fisherfolk and communities, ultimately enhancing the resilience of marine environments. In Indonesia, unlocking the full potential of nature-based solutions for climate mitigation, marine conservation, and sustainable oceanic development necessitates strategic and appropriately scaled investments. Despite being introduced in the 1990s, national-level adoption of the ICM approach remains lacking. Presently, the Government of Indonesia predominantly relies on the establishment of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) asa primary tool for ocean conservation. With approximately 28.9 million hectares of MPAs currently established, Indonesia plans to expand coverage to 97.5 million hectares by 2045. Aligning with Konservasi Indonesia’s Protection and Production approach, MPAs can be tailored to operationalize ICM principles. The East Pulau Bintan MPA serves as a viable case study, demonstrating how zoning strategies can effectively balance marine conservation with sustainable resource exploitation.

Women managers, local wisdom, and customary practice in marine conservation, Raja Ampat, Papua

The critical role of women in natural resource management is becoming increasingly recognized globally. In many Pacific communities, women are highly dependent on natural resources to feed and support their families, and their lives are closely entwined with the quality and quantity of these resources. However, in traditional patriarchal systems, women face multiple challenges related to traditional gender dynamics, including unequal access to natural resources, and lack of decision-making power. Sasi, a customary practice to manage the continuous supply of forest or marine resources by applying temporary harvest closures, has been practiced for more than 400 years in the eastern part of Indonesia, historically by men. In a world-first initiative, a women’s group in West Papua, Waifuna, undertook management of a sasi in 2008, with their rights fully acknowledged by the subvillage government, church, and customary holders. Here, we describe and discuss the group’s management of sea cucumbers and lobsters. We found that, despite the challenges they faced, through sasi management women increased their capacity to participate in conservation activities and decision-making, as well as contribute to marine conservation efforts. In addition, the whole community benefitted from changing perspectives on women’s abilities to manage natural resources because of the deconstruction of the prohibitive social norms that restricted women’s participation in the past.

Local Epistemic Consciousness as A Basis for Attaching Responsibility for Marine Conservation in the Indonesian Coastal Region

The sea is the primary resource that needs to be maintained by all people based on its benefits. However, marine conservation efforts are only carried out by individuals related to them, especially local coastal communities. This condition implies that conservation efforts are never carried out optimally due to a lack of consciousness. This research aims to utilize the structure of epistemic consciousness as a means to convey social responsibility for protecting the marine environment. This research will employ a philosophical hermeneutics approach involving epistemology, ethics, human philosophy, and psychotherapy. The results of this research demonstrate that epistemic consciousness in an individual can enhance their abilities and understanding in adapting their knowledge framework to environmental conservation efforts. This consciousness is also capable of guiding an individual's responsibility in processing information and making decisions in specific contexts, especially in the local sense. Instilling a sense of responsibility can be achieved through the use of taglines and the symbolization of religious beliefs and traditional customs.

Enabling marine conservation through education: Insights from the Malaysian Nature Society

As a maritime country, Malaysia relies on its diverse marine ecosystems, contributing to 23% of the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP), amounting to USD 63 billion. Anthropogenic activities threaten these ecosystems, impacting both the environment and socio-economics. Environmental non-governmental organizations (NGOs) play a crucial role in protecting the marine environment. This paper examines the educational initiatives of the Malaysian Nature Society (MNS), the oldest environmental NGO in Malaysia which promotes marine conservation. Through document analysis of the society's annual management report from June 2016 to May 2021, three educational strategies emerged: dissemination of knowledge, hands-on activities and application of knowledge. A guideline for implementing effective marine educational programs has been developed to enable other environmental NGOs to adopt these strategies and contribute to the conservation of marine ecosystems.

Reconfiguration of Coastal Settlement Policy in Blue Economy Paradigm: Discources and Practices in Bintan Island, Indonesia

The blue economy paradigm promotes sustainable economic growth by linking social equality, poverty reduction and marine conservation. Bintan Island, a designated Special Economic Zone (SEZ), has faced a challenge in accommodating economic growth and social equality for indigenous people living in coastal settlements. Providing settlement permits and recognition of property rights must consider the sustainability of coastal areas and spatial allocations along the coast of Bintan Island. Policy changes and policy networks in implementing coastal settlement policy become the theoretical framework in this study. Drawing on discourse analysis, key-informant interviews across scales, and secondary data in the regulations, we examine the meanings and practices of the reconfiguration of Coastal Settlement Policy in Blue Economy Paradigm. Policy networks perform in implementing coastal settlement policy to provide legalisation of assets as a form of social equity in the blue economy paradigm. The initiative of the regional head also followed the establishment of Bintan as an SEZ by strengthening the coastal settlement certification programme. However, within the framework of the policy network, the intergovernmental relationship that works in this policy needs strengthening from other networks.

A scientometric analysis of heavy metals pollution in coastal areas (2003 – 2023)

This systematic review addresses the crucial issue of heavy metal pollution in coastal areas, a growing concern due to its adverse effects on ecosystems and human health. The study compiles and analyzes data from numerous research articles, surveys, and environmental reports to provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of heavy metal pollution in coastal regions worldwide. The review aims to identify the most prevalent heavy metals in these areas, their sources, and the pathways through which they enter the coastal environment. It also examines the impact of these pollutants on marine life, ecosystems, and human populations that depend on coastal resources. Specifically, it investigates the mechanisms of metal accumulation and biomagnification in marine food webs, and highlighting potential risks to human health. In addition, the review explores the effectiveness of current mitigation and remediation strategies implemented globally to combat heavy metal contamination. By synthesizing data from various studies, this review aims to provide a holistic understanding of heavy metal pollution in coastal areas, while identifying gaps in current research and suggesting directions for future studies. This comprehensive analysis serves as a valuable resource for environmental scientists, policy-makers, and stakeholders involved in marine conservation and public health.

Return ’Em Right: Blending Science with Business Principles for Lasting Ocean Resource Conservation

“Return ’Em Right” (https://returnemright.org/) is a unique program that blends science with business principles and can serve as a model for resource-user-driven ocean conservation. The effort, led by the NOAA Restoration Center, in collaboration with Florida Sea Grant and the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission, emphasizes clientele interests, customer service, and the angler experience to motivate sustainable catch and release practices among recreational fishers in the Gulf of Mexico. Return ’Em Right delivers practical and relatable information to the angling community by blending traditional science, outreach, and communications with modern social marketing. These activities are underpinned by innovative online learning tied to the distribution of free fish-descending devices to tens of thousands of participating anglers. Issue awareness, knowledge, and use of the devices to release fish exhibiting signs of barotrauma safely back to depth is monitored and evaluated through customer satisfaction surveys.

Introduction to the special issue on Sea Grant: Science serving America’s coastlines and people

The National Sea Grant College Program is thrilled to partner with Oceanography to publish a special issue focused on Sea Grant’s contributions to enhancing the use and conservation of US coastal, marine, and Great Lakes resources to create a strong and sustainable economy, healthy coastal ecosystems, and resilient and inclusive communities. This introduction presents an overview of the National Sea Grant College program and highlights articles in this special issue.

Foreword to the special issue on Sea Grant: Science serving America’s coastlines and people

The National Sea Grant College Program (Sea Grant) delivers rigorous scientific research, extension expertise, and education to the coastal and Great Lakes regions of the United States, Puerto Rico, and Guam. Sea Grant’s mission is to enhance the practical use and conservation of coastal, marine, and Great Lakes resources in order to create a sustainable economy and environment. Operating through a network of 34 programs embedded in and tailored to their regions, Sea Grant supports and draws on the work of researchers at universities and colleges across the country to build a sound scientific foundation for the use and preservation of the nation’s coastal and Great Lakes resources. The Sea Grant model leverages a combination of research, extension, and education to allow for an integrated co-production approach to problem-solving and capturing opportunities that often include the development of new technologies and innovative approaches.

Climate bottlenecks off Newfoundland and Labrador for Atlantic cod in relation to eastern Canadian marine protected areas

Climate change presents challenges for marine area-based conservation measures through altered habitat and associated species range shifts. We conducted statistical downscaling for the eastern Canadian coastal domain over a range of global climate models, focusing on habitat suitability for Atlantic cod ( Gadus morhua), a numerically depressed, but ecologically, economically, and culturally important species in this region. We examined cod egg survival, juvenile growth, and spawning habitat suitability, combining these into one habitat index to compare within-closure habitat suitability for multiple life stages through time. Areas of high cod egg habitat suitability are projected to shift northward and increase across all area closures studied, while optimum juvenile habitat shifts north and eastward, increasing in almost all closures except the south. Spawning habitat as a function of temperature and oxygen will likely decrease through time across the entire region, but less in northern locations. Overall cod habitat is forecasted to decline in the south of the region while increasing at central and northern latitudes, highlighting the importance of existing and developing northern shelf area closures. While warming will bring temperatures closer to optimum levels for cod in this cold-water system, oxygen limitation will become more prevalent in the south of the region and should be monitored as an important ocean health indicator.

Enhancing maritime education for ocean sustainability: A multidisciplinary approach

This research critically explores maritime education’s role in fostering ocean sustainability and preparing seafarer students to tackle environmental challenges. It highlights the importance of marine science and technology literacy and proposes innovative solutions aligned with ocean health, resilience, and global climate change mitigation. Through qualitative descriptive analysis of select research papers, this study offers insights beneficial to the maritime industry and environmental conservation. The findings stress the need for curriculum enhancements, advocating for integrating marine science subjects and advanced technologies in maritime education. Proficiency in marine science and technology literacy is crucial for students to become competent professionals and responsible stewards of the marine environment. Green shipping practices, eco-friendly vessel design, and environmental bio-monitoring are identified as transformative opportunities for the industry, requiring support from policymakers and stakeholders in line with international emissions reduction agreements. Integrating marine eco-biology education into maritime curricula empowers students to actively engage in marine biodiversity conservation. This interdisciplinary approach bridges theory and practice, offering a sustainable future for our oceans through collaboration between educational institutions, industry stakeholders, policymakers, and researchers.

The OpenCTD: A Low-Cost, Open-Source CTD for Collecting Baseline Oceanographic Data in Coastal Waters

CTDs, devices that measure salinity (via conductivity), temperature, and depth in the ocean, are essential for almost all marine scientific research, whether oceanography, ecology, conservation, or management. But CTDs are often cost-​prohibitive, making this essential tool of ocean science inaccessible to the majority of ocean knowledge seekers. The OpenCTD is a low-cost, open-source oceanographic instrument, built from relatively accessible components, that allows ocean knowledge seekers to collect data on salinity, temperature, and depth in waters as deep as 140 m, with depth accurate to <1 cm, temperature to ±0.1°C, and a salinity error rate of 1%, with a 90% response time of 1 second. The OpenCTD is an open, adaptable platform that allows users to integrate other sensors (e.g., dissolved oxygen, pH) to fit their specific needs or questions. The utility of the OpenCTD for both STEM education and community oceanography is demonstrated in real-world case studies. The OpenCTD offers researchers, community groups, educators, managers, and other ocean knowledge seekers the ability to collect baseline data about their local waters at a fraction of the cost of commercial alternatives and, for most use cases, with comparable data quality.

Moving towards local participation and comanagement of Tioman Island Marine Park

Tioman Archipelago is a Marine Protected Area (MPA) off the coast of Pahang, Malaysia. It is inhabited by a small local population that depends on tourism as its main source of income. Its rich biodiversity is the main attraction to visitors, yet it is threatened by the growing tourism market. In 1994 the waters extending 3.7 km from the shore surrounding the island were gazetted as an MPA under the provisions of the Fisheries Act of 1985. The Department of Fisheries Malaysia (DoF) is responsible for the management and enforcement of the MPA, with minimal or no involvement of the local communities. A study conducted by Reef Check Malaysia (RCM) in 2014 with the local communities revealed that the vast majority showed an interest in being involved in management and conservation efforts but did not have the qualifications or the means to do so. In 2015, the Tioman Marine Conservation Group (TMCG) was formalized as a platform for interested local communities to undergo a series of training programs to empower them in building ecological resilience and marine resource management processes. The TMCG has since executed many conservation programs including ghost net removals, mooring buoy management, coral predator control, coral rehabilitation, reef monitoring surveys, community consultations, promotion of responsible tourism standards, and cleanups. RCM provided training, oversight, and funding. As of 2023, there are 80 members from each of the island’s seven villages. In 2019 the TMCG was officially recognized by the DoF as one of its strategic partners under its Reef Care program. This paper details how Tioman Island Marine Park moves from a top-down management approach towards local participation and a comanagement approach.