Saving Seagrass: Sustaining Coastal Livelihoods

Gonggong, sea cucumbers, and carpet anemones—just some of the treasures gleaned from Johor’s seagrass meadows. Seagrass meadows are often overlooked in conservation plans, yet for coastal communities in Johor, they’re essential. In this second episode of our two-part series on seagrass, we want to explore the connection between seagrass meadows and small-scale fishing communities in Johor with Associate Professor Dr Jillian Ooi, a marine ecologist from the University of Malaya. Dr Jillian is the co-author of a study that explored the seagrass-gleaning activities of communities in the Sungai Johor estuary, with a focus on Kampung Perigi Acheh. She joins us to discuss how these underwater grasslands support food security, livelihoods, and culture, especially for women. Image Credit: Associate Professor Dr Jillian OoiSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.