Andaman Sea Ecoregion

The Andaman Sea Ecoregion, lying at the north-eastern corner of the Indian Ocean, is biologically rich in both diversity and abundance.  This high biodiversity is encountered from genes to individuals to species, habitats, and ecosystems.  The coral reefs, mangroves, seagrass beds, marine lakes and deep sea valleys of the region form a constellation of diverse habitats that support a spectacular variety of flora and fauna.  Much of this remains to be investigated or fully documented.  The Andaman Sea Ecoregion is bordered by the Andaman and Nicobar Islands of India, Myanmar, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia.  

At the southern end of the ecoregion are the Straits of Malacca bordered by Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore.  The Straits of Malacca are one of the busiest shipping routes in the world and critical for trade between the Middle East, India and East Asia.  Studies have shown that the next available route, the Bali-Lombok Straits in Indonesia, could add an additional cost of up to $250 billion US dollars to global trade per year.  The Straits of Malacca are also the site of critical fisheries for Malaysia.  Between 1990 and 1998, 60% of Malaysia’s fish landings came from the Straits of Malacca.  The majority of Malaysia’s prawns come from the Straits as well as its cockle production.  An important population of hawksbill turtle occupies the Straits of Malacca and nest primarily in the state of Malacca.  

However, it is clear that these resources are under threat.  Department of Fisheries surveys have shown that between 1987 and 1998 demersal or bottom dwelling fish populations have declined by 60%.  It is clear that the Straits of Malacca are one of the most heavily-used bodies of water in the world.  The many uses, users and stakeholders in these waters rely on a healthy marine environment for their livelihoods.  It is essential for WWF-Malaysia to work on sustainable fisheries management with local communities in Langkawi and on the conservation of hawksbill turtles in Malacca.