‘Tap potential of seagrass meadows’

JOHOR can attract nature lovers and tourists by putting more effort in promoting and developing seagrass meadow as a new agrotourism product.

Kelab Alami project officer Nur Syazwani Ali said she was optimistic that the seagrass meadow could become a popular tourist attraction through the right marketing strategy.

Nur Syazwani Ali

“Little attention is given to the tourism potential of seagrass meadow or seagrass bed in Johor,” Nur Syazwani said when contacted by StarMetro.

She said that apart from generating revenue, seagrass tourism would teach tourists the importance of protecting them.

Seagrass meadow or seagrass bed is an underwater ecosystem formed by seagrasses found in shallow coastal waters and the brackish waters of estuaries.

Seagrasses are flowering plants with stems and long green, grass-like leaves.

“Beting Tanjung Kupang (Merambong shoals) in Pendas, Gelang Patah, about 3.23 nautical miles (6km) from Pendas Laut jetty is the best place for visitors to explore marine life at the seagrass meadow,” she said.

Nur Syazwani said that, on average, Kelab Alami organised three field trips to the shoals monthly during low tide, as it would be the best time to visit the place.

She said during the field trip, participants would be taught the important role seagrass meadows played in keeping our oceans healthy and providing a home for all kinds of marine life.

She highlighted that seagrasses help protect the coastline from storms and rising tides as their leaves take energy out of the waves hitting the coast and their roots act as an anchor in the underwater sand.

Johor Green Earth Society president P. Sivakumar suggests that local authorities launch mangrove tourism initiatives to conserve and preserve mangroves in the state.

He said by doing so, the state government could attract nature lovers, urbanites and foreign tourists to Johor’s rich biodiversity.

The edible sea snail known as kila (noble volute) among locals can be found during low tide at the seagrass bed in Beting Tanjung Kupang.

“We are blessed to have one of the most important mangrove ecosystems in the world and we should fully utilise nature’s gifts for our advantage,” said Sivakumar.

He said there were many eco- tourism activities that could be held at mangroves, such as river cruises, bird watching, boating, kayaking and sighting wildlife.

Sivakumar said the state government must take proactive measures to clean up rivers in Johor and start replanting mangrove along the riverbanks.

“Mangrove forests not only act as natural wave breakers and prevent soil erosion, but they also are breeding grounds for marine life,” he said.

Sivakumar said this would in return provide inland fishermen with a source of income and food, especially for the Orang Asli.