STATE OF MARINE FISH AND FISHERIES IN MALAYSIA

Malaysia’s capture fisheries have long been central to national food security, livelihoods, and cultural heritage, supplying 60% of the country’s animal protein and employing over 105,000 fishermen. However, wild fish catches have declined sharply – falling 17% from 1.57 million tonnes in 2016 to 1.39 million tonnes in 2024. Scientific assessments reveal severe depletion: demersal fish biomass has dropped by up to 90% since the 1960s, and catch per unit effort has plunged by 96% in some waters. Overfishing, destructive gears like trawling, habitat loss, and climate change are key drivers, compounded by illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing costing billions annually. This decline threatens food security as Malaysia’s fish self-sufficiency ratio fell from 93% in 2019 to 90% in 2022, increasing reliance on imports and raising seafood prices. Coastal communities face deepening poverty, with over 28% of East Coast fishers living in extreme poverty. Ecologically, collapsing stocks disrupt marine food webs and biodiversity. Future strategies must integrate science-based management, spatial protection, and co-management with communities. Strengthening fisheries governance, expanding MPAs, improving traceability, and leveraging blue finance are critical to reversing trends. Without urgent action, Malaysia risks losing both marine biodiversity and the socio-economic lifeline that fisheries provide.
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CHITRA DEVI GOPALAKRISHNAN

WWF – Malaysia

Chitra Devi is an accomplished conservation leader with over two decades of experience in marine governance, fisheries sustainability, and ocean advocacy. As the Head of Marine at WWF-Malaysia, she leads a team of 53 professionals managing more than 6 million hectares of Malaysia’s ocean. Her current focus includes shaping a Fisheries Reform strategy, developing a Sustainable Blue Finance plan, and advancing Ocean Literacy through education partnerships. Chitra has pioneered impactful initiatives such as Malaysia’s first shark conservation campaign, sustainable seafood programmes, and ecosystem-based fisheries management. A TEDx speaker and recipient of multiple awards, including WWF International’s Best Innovation Project, she is recognized for bridging science, policy, and community voices to drive systemic change. Chitra combines technical expertise with behavioural insights to influence national ocean governance and blue economy transformation.