Malaysian fishermen struggle as climate change hits coral reefs
Growing crisis highlights urgent need for sustainable solutions to protect Malaysia’s coral reefs and communities that depend on them
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (MNTV) – Warming seas are turning Malaysia’s coral reefs into lifeless white structures, disrupting marine ecosystems and threatening the livelihoods of fishermen who depend on them.
Reports from Malaysia’s Department of Fisheries (DOF) indicate that mass coral bleaching, driven by climate change, is affecting more than half of the coral reefs in several marine parks.
Hardest-hit areas include Pulau Payar (Kedah), Pulau Perhentian, Pulau Redang, Pulau Tenggol (Terengganu), Pulau Tioman (Pahang), and Pulau Pemanggil (Johor). Rising sea temperatures are the primary culprit, putting marine biodiversity at risk.
According to Chia Tian Hee, president of the Malaysia Fish Industries General Association, increasing sea temperatures are hampering the growth of plankton, the main food source for many fish species.
This phenomenon is particularly concerning for Malaysia, which lies within the Coral Triangle—home to 76% of the world’s known coral species and a crucial supplier of 20% of the global seafood supply.
The Malaysia Biodiversity Information System (MyBIS) previously estimated that Malaysia’s coral diversity includes over 550 species in East Malaysia and 480 species in Peninsular Malaysia.
However, Malaysia’s Fourth National Communication Report to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change warns that rising ocean temperatures could further harm corals by promoting the spread of diseases.
The degradation of coral reefs would deal a severe blow to the nation’s fishing industry, which relies on these ecosystems to sustain fish populations.
In Kampung Pendamar, a quiet fishing village in Selangor’s Klang district, fishermen are struggling to make ends meet. Once-abundant fish species, such as groupers, are becoming scarce, forcing many to find alternative work.
“The groupers are very popular among both fishermen and consumers, but we can no longer find them,” said 38-year-old fisherman Wan Azrul Zainul, speaking to
The Malaysian Reserve (TMR). The price of groupers, typically sold at around RM32 ($6.80) per kilogram, can surge to RM50 ($10.60) during festive seasons due to their high demand. But with dwindling catches, profits are harder to come by. Some months bring no fish at all, pushing fishermen like Wan Azrul to take on other jobs to survive.
For 45-year-old fisherman Muhairi Zainal Abidin, climate change has made the sea more unpredictable and dangerous. “There used to be many fishermen here, but now, many have sold their boats because they just can’t afford to continue,” he told TMR. Stronger currents and rougher seas make it even harder to fish, forcing more to abandon their trade.
The growing crisis highlights the urgent need for sustainable solutions to protect Malaysia’s coral reefs and the communities that depend on them.
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