Nexus Action for Mangroves in Selangor, Malaysia: protection through value creation for community-public-private partnerships (NexAMS)
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Plymouth
Department Name: Sch of Biological and Marine Sciences
Abstract
Mangroves contribute to businesses and communities through multiple ecosystem services, yet are undervalued and under-protected in Malaysia and globally. Using outputs and lessons from NetComFish (Newton-Ungku Omar Fund project), capacity building and co-creation, NexAMS aims to advance policy and business initiatives for improved, inclusive mangrove protection through sustainable use and build public-private-community partnerships, focusing on the state of Selangor.
Using stakeholder engagement, desk work and knowledge exchange, these aims will be achieved through: (i) analysis of local, state, federal and international plans, policies and commitments to identify gaps and learn lessons on how existing initiatives impact mangroves and can be modified to support sustainable development with mangroves; (ii) assessment of past, present and potential future social, economic and environmental threats to mangroves to identify mitigating actions targeted at public and private sectors; (iii) identify achievable actions for businesses to minimise their impact on mangroves, support mangrove restoration and contribute to coastal community development; (iv) community engagement to identify optimum areas for mangrove protection for sustainable use and facilitation of business-community linkages; (v) outreach, engagement and targeted communication along the policy pathway and among business networks.
For lasting impact, NexAMS will: work with stakeholders across local, state and federal decision-making tiers, and mutlisectorally, with local communities, the private sector, government, NGOs and academia; build the capacity of stakeholders to better manage mangrove resources through sustainable use; and facilitate increased interaction between different stakeholder groups to enable partnership building. These impacts will support coastal community livelihoods and environmentally sensitive economic development in Selangor and beyond.
Using stakeholder engagement, desk work and knowledge exchange, these aims will be achieved through: (i) analysis of local, state, federal and international plans, policies and commitments to identify gaps and learn lessons on how existing initiatives impact mangroves and can be modified to support sustainable development with mangroves; (ii) assessment of past, present and potential future social, economic and environmental threats to mangroves to identify mitigating actions targeted at public and private sectors; (iii) identify achievable actions for businesses to minimise their impact on mangroves, support mangrove restoration and contribute to coastal community development; (iv) community engagement to identify optimum areas for mangrove protection for sustainable use and facilitation of business-community linkages; (v) outreach, engagement and targeted communication along the policy pathway and among business networks.
For lasting impact, NexAMS will: work with stakeholders across local, state and federal decision-making tiers, and mutlisectorally, with local communities, the private sector, government, NGOs and academia; build the capacity of stakeholders to better manage mangrove resources through sustainable use; and facilitate increased interaction between different stakeholder groups to enable partnership building. These impacts will support coastal community livelihoods and environmentally sensitive economic development in Selangor and beyond.
Publications
Chee S
(2021)
Enhancing Uptake of Nature-Based Solutions for Informing Coastal Sustainable Development Policy and Planning: A Malaysia Case Study
in Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution
Hattam C
(2020)
Using nexus thinking to identify opportunities for mangrove management in the Klang Islands, Malaysia
in Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science
Lee S
(2023)
Corrigendum: Strengthened multi-stakeholder linkages in valuation studies is critical for improved decision making outcomes for valuable mangroves - The Malaysian case study
in Frontiers in Marine Science
Lee S
(2022)
Strengthened multi-stakeholder linkages in valuation studies is critical for improved decision making outcomes for valuable mangroves - The Malaysian case study
in Frontiers in Marine Science
Nur Fatin Nabilah Ruslan
(2022)
Mangrove ecosystem services: Contribution to the well-being of the coastal communities in Klang Islands
in Marine Policy
Ruslan N
(2022)
Mangrove ecosystem services: Contribution to the well-being of the coastal communities in Klang Islands
in Marine Policy
Related Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Award Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NE/V005758/1 | 13/05/2020 | 29/06/2020 | £60,490 | ||
| NE/V005758/2 | Transfer | NE/V005758/1 | 28/09/2020 | 30/03/2022 | £59,579 |
| Title | NetComFish film |
| Description | A four minute film has been created by the NetComFish team to highlight the importance of the mangroves in the Klang Islands, the threats that they face and how local communities and businesses can be part of the solution for mangroves in the area. The general public are the target audience for this film. |
| Type Of Art | Film/Video/Animation |
| Year Produced | 2020 |
| Impact | We have only just completed the film and have yet to start sharing it widely. We will use it in our follow-on project NexAMS as an engagement tool. |
| Description | An analysis of mangrove relevant policies found that: No single authority has responsibility for overall management of mangroves; there is no dedicated national policy for mangrove management; State authorities are responsible for managing their forests in accordance with national policy and legislation; local authorities hold responsibilities for delivering forest plans in support of state direction and priorities. Political (policies and legislations), Economic (economic growth), and Environmental (land use change) threats caused the biggest decline of mangrove forest in Selangor in the past. The present threats are to a large extent similar although the social aspect has improved, due to general awareness & positive perception of mangroves by local communities. Systematic review of Malaysian mangrove ecosystem service valuation studies findings were that of 184 studies identified, only 17 provided monetary values for mangrove ecosystem services. Mangrove valuation studies in Malaysia were characterized by weak multi-stakeholder engagement, non-standardized valuation units across the whole country, limited dissemination of the valuation outcome, and cursory references to the potential use of mangrove ecosystem services. Most of the studies did not exert apparent influence on mangrove management. |
| Exploitation Route | Collaborations that have been developed through Nexams in Malaysia and between Malaysian and UK partners will continue. Lessons have been learned about communication enabling continued policy engagement with partners. Findings continue to be shared with policy makers and with communities and business sectors. Partners will search for new funding to extend work, with a focus on pioneering blue carbon project in mangroves |
| Sectors | Agriculture Food and Drink Communities and Social Services/Policy Construction Environment Financial Services and Management Consultancy Leisure Activities including Sports Recreation and Tourism Government Democracy and Justice Culture Heritage Museums and Collections |
| URL | http://nexams2020.wixsite.com/nexams2020 |
| Description | Influence/Impact on Policy: Publication of Policy Analysis Mr. Andrew Edwards-Jones, a social science researcher at Plymouth Marine Laboratory, led policy analysis work using a Rapid Policy Network Mapping (RPNM) approach, focusing on mangrove management in Selangor. This method identified policy actors and instruments, mapping them against criteria and levels of operation. The policy report was published on PML Publishing on November 22nd, 2023. Physical copies were disseminated to project partners and stakeholders, including the Selangor State Forestry Department, Maritime Institute of Malaysia (MIMA), and the National Water Research Institute of Malaysia (NAHRIM). Link to publication: https://doi.org/10.17031/e25n-j815 Dr Goh Hong Ching was approached by delegates from British High Commission KL in early 2024 to discuss the project's impact and future collaboration on expanding NexAMS work to cover more areas. Notable mangrove hotspots in Peninsular Malaysia, such as Sungai Pulai in Johor, Matang and Sepetang in Perak, and Teluk Air Tawar-Kuala Muda coast in Kedah, are recognized for their high ecosystem services value. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2023 |
| Sector | Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Agriculture, Food and Drink,Construction,Environment,Government, Democracy and Justice,Security and Diplomacy |
| Impact Types | Cultural Societal Economic Policy & public services |
| Description | EU Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership |
| Geographic Reach | Europe |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| URL | https://www.bluepartnership.eu/news/paving-way-blue-transformation |
| Description | Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) External Expert Identification Committee (June 2024-) |
| Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| Impact | Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) has used fecommendations to improve and support their processes |
| Description | Member of the Joint Committee that leads JNCC and has overall responsibility for its work. |
| Geographic Reach | Europe |
| Policy Influence Type | Membership of a guideline committee |
| Impact | As a member of the Joint Committee that leads JNCC and has overall responsibility for its work. JNCC is the public body that advises the UK Government and devolved administrations on UK-wide and international nature conservation. JNCC's work helps maintain and enrich biological diversity and conserve geological features. It also helps sustain natural systems, which provide the core "services" we all depend on like food, fresh water and clean air. In this way they contribute to economic growth and social well-being and are integral to sustainable development. JNCC itself is a forum that brings together the UK's four country conservation bodies. They advise Government and a wide range of bodies to help join up policy and to deliver a strong and cost-effective evidence base by helping to see that the best possible return is achieved from investment in research and surveillance in the UK and internationally. As chair of the Marine Protected Areas Sub-Committee we ensure that scientific advice on designating marine reserves across the UK is robust |
| URL | http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/page-5349 |
| Description | Policy Unit Bulletin |
| Geographic Reach | Asia |
| Policy Influence Type | Implementation circular/rapid advice/letter to e.g. Ministry of Health |
| URL | https://www.researchgate.net/publication/352678391_Comprehending_the_%27No_Net_Loss%27_Approach_in_N... |
| Description | Recorded dialogue with Amanda Solloway MP, Minister for Science, Research & Innovation for Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office COP26 activities |
| Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
| Policy Influence Type | Implementation circular/rapid advice/letter to e.g. Ministry of Health |
| Description | Webinar and launch of two policy briefs in Malaysia: Nature-based Solutions (NbS) and Integrated Greening of Grey Infrastructure (IGGI) |
| Geographic Reach | Asia |
| Policy Influence Type | Implementation circular/rapid advice/letter to e.g. Ministry of Health |
| URL | https://drive.google.com/file/d/1d3ieNf-M_gCvuyU81n6gpi7-79ak9ebI/view |
| Description | A Systems Analysis Approach to Reduce Plastic Waste in Indonesian Societies (PISCES) |
| Amount | £3,611,375 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | NE/V006428/1 |
| Organisation | Natural Environment Research Council |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 01/2021 |
| End | 07/2024 |
| Description | Centre for doctoral training in sustainable management of UK marine resources (SuMMeR) |
| Amount | £836,936 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | NE/W007215/1 |
| Organisation | Natural Environment Research Council |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 08/2022 |
| End | 09/2028 |
| Description | NC-ODA ACCORD uplift (GCRF under-spend) |
| Amount | £20,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Natural Environment Research Council |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 03/2019 |
| End | 08/2019 |
| Description | National Capability: International Science Programmes |
| Amount | £743,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Natural Environment Research Council |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 09/2021 |
| End | 03/2022 |
| Description | Nexus Action for Mangroves in Selangor, Malaysia: protection through value creation for community-public-private partnerships |
| Amount | £150,000 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | 537099481 |
| Organisation | Newton Fund |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 04/2020 |
| End | 10/2021 |
| Description | ODA Challenge-Oriented Research Grants 2024 |
| Amount | £199,990 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | IOCRG\101444 |
| Organisation | The British Academy |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 05/2024 |
| End | 12/2025 |
| Description | Research Environment Link |
| Amount | £49,987 (GBP) |
| Organisation | British Council |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 01/2022 |
| End | 12/2022 |
| Title | Coastal Communities Questionnaire for Cultural Ecosystem Study, 2021-2022 |
| Description | Using outputs and lesson from NetComFish (the initial project), this follow-up project, NexAMS, aims to advance community engagement to identify optimum areas for mangroves protection for sustainable use and facilitation of business-community linkages. Provisioning and regulating services such as timber and coastal protection are globally known when people talk about mangroves importance. In terms of research initiatives, there are many studies conducted for these two types of ecosystem services due to their economic values. However, there is a growing need to study cultural ecosystem services so that policymakers and decisionmakers will understand that this type of services is crucial for natural resource management such mangroves. This is because cultural ecosystem services are important to understand the connection and the interaction local communities have towards an ecosystem. This research findings will be valuable for the local government and policymakers to make informed decision and help to identify potential mangroves replanting effort in Selangor. |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2021 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | Local communities identified and learned about importance of mangroves |
| URL | https://reshare.ukdataservice.ac.uk/855837/ |
| Title | Incentivising Businesses to Adopt Action for the Protection of Coastal Nature and Biodiversity in Malaysia, 2021-2022 |
| Description | Nexus Action for Mangroves in Selangor, Malaysia: Protection Through Value Creation for Community-Public-Private Partnerships (NexAMS) is an 18-month project aimed at advancing policy and business initiatives for improved, inclusive mangrove protection through sustainable use, and building public-private-community partnerships, focusing on the state of Selangor. When it comes to natural climate solutions, the private sector is uniquely positioned as both a catalyst and accelerator. It is considered to have the resources to invest in mangrove protection and mitigation. This study will build a business case for mangrove interactions including how businesses can alter actions to mitigate and offset future impacts and initiate new interactions with mangroves (including details of value creation and competitive advantage, as well as factors needed for success and returns on investment). The business case will explore the idea of businesses being more conscious of mangroves in their decision-making. These include actions such as adopting a natural capital approach / considering nature-based solutions, in all that they do and in pursuit of their own aims and objectives. While the focus is on private sector impacts on mangroves, this study also looks at policy assessments, such as SWOT analysis of existing policies and plans that influence mangroves, including their contribution to the biodiversity impact mitigation hierarchy. |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2022 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | used in newsletters and social media and for dissemination of information about mangrove to business and government. Research paper in preparation |
| URL | https://reshare.ukdataservice.ac.uk/855865/ |
| Description | Collaboration with University of Malaya to address failures in mangrove management in Selangor |
| Organisation | University of Malaysia |
| Country | Malaysia |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | This project formally launched in May 2020. The PML team reduced from 2 people to 1 person in July 2020 following the departure from the project of the former UK PI, Caroline Hattam. From September 2020 The UK lead passed to Prof Melanie Austin, University of Plymouth, with whom PML has a close working relationship. Andrew Edwards-Jones assumed lead PML responsibility, effectively acting as the core UK link with the University of Malaya partners. He has supported the project management process and activities, provided input and feedback on various objective activities i.e. a PESTLE analysis undertaken by a University of Plymouth Masters student, the preparation of the project newsletter, the mid term funders report, a UK PACT Expression of Interest submission. Andrew has been leading one project activity, involving a policy mapping exercise around mangroves in Malaysia. He is also leading on the delivery of an ACCORD Uplift sub-project with the same partners, exploring potential mangrove replanting sites in the Klang Islands, with responsibility for monitoring progress and reporting to the cross UK-institutional ACCORD Management Group. Andrew has continued to provide supervisory input to a Malaysian Masters student project, including feedback on thesis chapters and a journal paper (a required element of the MSc final submission). Some outputs from the ODA NetComFish project have been completed and disseminated during this project, to which Andrew has provided direct writing input to manuscript revisions prior to acceptance to the journal, Estuarine Coastal and Shelf Science, in July 2020, and leading on the final draft of a policy brief which was disseminated to project partners and to the general public in 2020. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The UM partners provide the co-PI for this project. The team is leading on the delivery of several project activities, including partner and stakeholder engagement and developing a case for business engagement with mangroves in Selangor. The whole project team has responded to the restrictions imposed by Covid 19 pandemic by agreeing to deliver a series of knowledge exchange seminars around pathways from science to policy. An additional researcher has been recruited with experience of working with policy-makers in Malaysia. Two seminars have been presented to date - the first in late 2020 in both in-person and virtual format, the second in Feb 2021 to a small virtual audience. The UM team have submitted a mid term funders report, and drafted a UK PACT EOI (unsuccessful). The team coordinates project meetings, and hosted a project partner meeting in December 2020 (several agencies, including the Federal and State Department of Forestry, had provided written support for the project at application). |
| Impact | Project Partner Meeting Dec 2020 Knowledge Exchange seminar delivered autumn 2020. Knowledge Exchange seminar delivered Feb 2021. PESTLE analysis completed Oct 2020 (as part of a University of Plymouth MSc thesis). |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Digital Launch of the Malaysian Nature Tours |
| Organisation | Malaysian High Commission |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | The British High Commission in Kuala Lumpur, in cooperation with Asia Dive Expo (ADEX), organised the Digital Launch of the Malaysian Nature Tours on 10 December 2020, in conjunction with the 2021 Super Year for Biodiversity and Climate Change (CoP15 & CoP26). The Malaysian PI for the NexAMS project, Dr Amy Then, was invited along with a number of other scientists to form an expert panel for discussion, and to deliver a presentation on nature-based solutions in Malaysia. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The British High Commission in Kuala Lumpur, in cooperation with Asia Dive Expo (ADEX), organised the Digital Launch of the Malaysian Nature Tours on 10 December 2020, in conjunction with the 2021 Super Year for Biodiversity and Climate Change (CoP15 & CoP26). The Malaysian PI for the NexAMS project, Dr Amy Then, was invited along with a number of other scientists to form an expert panel for discussion, and to deliver a presentation on nature-based solutions in Malaysia. |
| Impact | Dissemination of NexAMS (and earlier NetComFish) project aims within presentation by Amy Then of the state of nature-based solutions in Malaysia. |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | Early Career Researchers - Blue carbon Nature-based Solutions |
| Organisation | Edinburgh Napier University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Through the outreach opportunities in the project's capacity building webinar, several members of NexAMS Universiti Malaya team has acquainted with researchers from Edinburgh Napier University (Dr Mark Huxham, Dr Anita Ogilvie and Dr Gráinne Barkess) to answer a grant call from British Council - Going Global Partnership: Research Environmental Links. This collaborative programme aimed to creates impact imperative for blue carbon Nature-based Solutions through directly equipping early career researchers and rising university student leaders with interdisciplinary communication and leadership skills through commitment to a series of virtual and physical workshops, working meetings and a mini symposium as well as organic mentoring relationships. The programme was started on 1st January 2022 and concluded on 30th April 2023. A total of 20 early career fellows were recruited from a range of relevant backgrounds and received a programme of training including online seminars and immersive fieldwork, from academics expert in coastal ecology, social economy, mangrove ecology, fisheries, strategic planning and career development. This amounted to more than 30 hours structured learning (and double that if hours in the field are included). High level meetings between Edinburgh Napier and Universiti Malaya staff produced new online training in pedagogy and a signed MoU aimed at fostering closer links in the future. Additionally, new work with a Malaysian company and an international NGO is underway aiming to launch collaborative projects on mangrove conservation and blue carbon supported by UK and Malaysian partners. Website link to the programme: https://coastar2022.wixsite.com/coastar |
| Collaborator Contribution | Through the outreach opportunities in the project's capacity building webinar, several members of NexAMS Universiti Malaya team were acquainted with researchers from Edinburgh Napier University (Dr Mark Huxham, Dr Anita Ogilvie and Dr Gráinne Barkess) to answer a grant call from British Council - Going Global Partnership: Research Environmental Links. This collaborative programme aimed to creates impact imperative for blue carbon Nature-based Solutions through directly equipping early career researchers and rising university student leaders with interdisciplinary communication and leadership skills through commitment to a series of virtual and physical workshops, working meetings and a mini symposium as well as organic mentoring relationships. The programme was started on 1st January 2022 and concluded on 30th April 2023. A total of 20 early career fellows were recruited from a range of relevant backgrounds and received a programme of training including online seminars and immersive fieldwork, from academics expert in coastal ecology, social economy, mangrove ecology, fisheries, strategic planning and career development. This amounted to more than 30 hours structured learning (and double that if hours in the field are included). High level meetings between Edinburgh Napier and Universiti Malaya staff produced new online training in pedagogy and a signed MoU aimed at fostering closer links in the future. Additionally, new work with a Malaysian company and an international NGO is underway aiming to launch collaborative projects on mangrove conservation and blue carbon supported by UK and Malaysian partners. |
| Impact | A total of 20 early career fellows were recruited from a range of relevant backgrounds and received a programme of training including online seminars and immersive fieldwork, from academics expert in coastal ecology, social economy, mangrove ecology, fisheries, strategic planning and career development. This amounted to more than 30 hours structured learning (and double that if hours in the field are included). High level meetings between Edinburgh Napier and Universiti Malaya staff produced new online training in pedagogy and a signed MoU aimed at fostering closer links in the future. Additionally, new work with a Malaysian company and an international NGO is underway aiming to launch collaborative projects on mangrove conservation and blue carbon supported by UK and Malaysian partners. |
| Start Year | 2022 |
| Description | Early Career Researchers - Blue carbon Nature-based Solutions |
| Organisation | University of Malaya |
| Country | Malaysia |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Through the outreach opportunities in the project's capacity building webinar, several members of NexAMS Universiti Malaya team has acquainted with researchers from Edinburgh Napier University (Dr Mark Huxham, Dr Anita Ogilvie and Dr Gráinne Barkess) to answer a grant call from British Council - Going Global Partnership: Research Environmental Links. This collaborative programme aimed to creates impact imperative for blue carbon Nature-based Solutions through directly equipping early career researchers and rising university student leaders with interdisciplinary communication and leadership skills through commitment to a series of virtual and physical workshops, working meetings and a mini symposium as well as organic mentoring relationships. The programme was started on 1st January 2022 and concluded on 30th April 2023. A total of 20 early career fellows were recruited from a range of relevant backgrounds and received a programme of training including online seminars and immersive fieldwork, from academics expert in coastal ecology, social economy, mangrove ecology, fisheries, strategic planning and career development. This amounted to more than 30 hours structured learning (and double that if hours in the field are included). High level meetings between Edinburgh Napier and Universiti Malaya staff produced new online training in pedagogy and a signed MoU aimed at fostering closer links in the future. Additionally, new work with a Malaysian company and an international NGO is underway aiming to launch collaborative projects on mangrove conservation and blue carbon supported by UK and Malaysian partners. Website link to the programme: https://coastar2022.wixsite.com/coastar |
| Collaborator Contribution | Through the outreach opportunities in the project's capacity building webinar, several members of NexAMS Universiti Malaya team were acquainted with researchers from Edinburgh Napier University (Dr Mark Huxham, Dr Anita Ogilvie and Dr Gráinne Barkess) to answer a grant call from British Council - Going Global Partnership: Research Environmental Links. This collaborative programme aimed to creates impact imperative for blue carbon Nature-based Solutions through directly equipping early career researchers and rising university student leaders with interdisciplinary communication and leadership skills through commitment to a series of virtual and physical workshops, working meetings and a mini symposium as well as organic mentoring relationships. The programme was started on 1st January 2022 and concluded on 30th April 2023. A total of 20 early career fellows were recruited from a range of relevant backgrounds and received a programme of training including online seminars and immersive fieldwork, from academics expert in coastal ecology, social economy, mangrove ecology, fisheries, strategic planning and career development. This amounted to more than 30 hours structured learning (and double that if hours in the field are included). High level meetings between Edinburgh Napier and Universiti Malaya staff produced new online training in pedagogy and a signed MoU aimed at fostering closer links in the future. Additionally, new work with a Malaysian company and an international NGO is underway aiming to launch collaborative projects on mangrove conservation and blue carbon supported by UK and Malaysian partners. |
| Impact | A total of 20 early career fellows were recruited from a range of relevant backgrounds and received a programme of training including online seminars and immersive fieldwork, from academics expert in coastal ecology, social economy, mangrove ecology, fisheries, strategic planning and career development. This amounted to more than 30 hours structured learning (and double that if hours in the field are included). High level meetings between Edinburgh Napier and Universiti Malaya staff produced new online training in pedagogy and a signed MoU aimed at fostering closer links in the future. Additionally, new work with a Malaysian company and an international NGO is underway aiming to launch collaborative projects on mangrove conservation and blue carbon supported by UK and Malaysian partners. |
| Start Year | 2022 |
| Description | COP 27, Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt: attended, hosted University of Plymouth Stand, gave presentations on a panel |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Attended COP 27, Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt, Manned University of Plymouth Stand explaining research to a wide footall audience, gave presentation and joined discussion on a panel 'Influence of National and Global Climate Education, Innovation, and Research on The Governmental Policies and Participation in The Green Economy' in the Climate Education Hub of Earth organization |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Contribution to online Networking Session (21st May 2021) at Ocean Visions 2021 conference. |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Recorded Contribution 'Blue Communities: Building capacity for sustainable interactions with marine ecosystems in Southeast Asia' delivered at online Networking Session (21st May 2021) at Ocean Visions 2021 conference. The presentation was made by Mel Austen and supported at the event by Prof Lora Fleming. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://agu.confex.com/agu/OVS21/meetingapp.cgi/Paper/787064 |
| Description | Devon Lord Lieutenants Environment Group |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Devon Lord Lieutenants Environment Group asked me to attend their meeting and discuss some of the aspects of marine environment in Devon that they should be aware of in their roe. There was a wide ranging discussion |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Influence on Local Communities - facebook |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Post the NexAMS project, the Facebook group and website continued, accumulating 625 likes, 652 followers, 488 unique website visitors, and 1930 page views. Over time, both platform has received several inquiries from the publics, such as inquiries on how to participating in mangrove conservation activities, inquiries on organizing mangrove replanting for school primary school students, and request for copies of our publications. Facebook group page link: https://www.facebook.com/nexams.my |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021,2022,2023 |
| URL | https://nexams2020.wixsite.com/nexams2020 |
| Description | Influence/Impact on Policy, Business and Local Communities |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Our newsletter started since 01/31/2021 until 12/29/2022 has a total of 201 subscribers to date. Link to all newsletter: https://us2.campaign-archive.com/home/?u=e9597015a66ad21a8ecbfe0f1&id=8d9679c21a |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021,2022 |
| URL | https://us2.campaign-archive.com/home/?u=e9597015a66ad21a8ecbfe0f1&id=8d9679c21a |
| Description | Information-sharing meeting with JARING |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Third sector organisations |
| Results and Impact | This was an information-sharing dialogue between the NexAMS project team and representatives of the environmental NGO, Jaringan Nelayan Pantai Malaysia (JARING). The mutual interests of both teams were identified and discussed, particularly in relation to the project activity involving cultural ecosystem service surveys of local people's engagements with mangroves. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://nexams2020.wixsite.com/nexams2020/key-activities |
| Description | Information-sharing meeting with Maritime Institute of Malaysia |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | This was an information-sharing dialogue between the NexAMS project team and 3 representatives of MIMA. This highlighted MIMA's role in policy engagement in Malaysia, and considered mutual areas of interests. The discussion led to a follow-up meeting in 2021 in which MIMA was consulted on policy mapping and analysis priorities for the NexAMS project. These engagements cemented a relationship between MIMA (already a project partner) and NexAMS and led to formalization of a partnership by end 2020. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020,2021 |
| URL | https://www.mima.gov.my/news/partnership-with-the-university-of-malaya-2020-2021 |
| Description | Information-sharing meeting with PlanMalaysia |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | This was a dialogue between the NexAMS project team and PlanMalaysia representatives to discuss the potential for inputting project findings into the draft version of NPP4, Malaysia's primary national physical plan. Advice was recieved on the best pathways to impact, including consulting with Selangor State Forestry Department, PlanSelangor, and the Selangor Exco. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | Invitation to present at The British High Commission's Digital Launch of the Malaysian Nature Tours |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The British High Commission in Kuala Lumpur, in cooperation with Asia Dive Expo (ADEX), organised the Digital Launch of the Malaysian Nature Tours on 10 December 2020, in conjunction with the 2021 Super Year for Biodiversity and Climate Change (CoP15 & CoP26). Several sessions were organised, ranging from sustainable land use mechanisms and nature protection, nature-based solutions, the business case for biodiversity and ecosystem services, global and regional perspectives to nature protection, and other related areas. NexAMS Co-PI, Dr Amy Then was invited to speak on nature-based solutions, including the role of mangroves. She outlined the work of NexAMS. The session was moderated by Dr Hari Ramalu, Chairman of ENSEARCH and Director of AkarAsia Consult. Other panellists included Dr Aldrie Amir, Head of the Environmental, Economic and Social Sustainability Research Centre of LESTARI, National University of Malaysia; Dr Maklarin Lakim, Director of Sabah Parks; Ceryl Rita Kaur, Head of the Centre for Coastal and Marine Environment (CMER), MIMA; Julian Hyde, Managing Director of Reef Check Malaysia; as well as Dave McCann, Environmental Manager from Sabah. The session discussed at length the importance of nature-based solutions to addressing climate change concerns, as well as related challenges. It highlighted that the coastal ecosystems i.e., mangroves and seagrasses can contribute to national commitments in achieving the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement. Among others, the forum called for community involvement, science-policy interactions towards better management approaches, as well as the need to incorporate nature-based solutions into the national climate change policy (including blue carbon measures) into the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). Overall, the entire digital launch event garnered a total of more than 36,000 viewers, with the Blue Carbon session alone attracting some 13,000 viewers (figures according to MIMA). |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| URL | https://www.facebook.com/AsiaDiveExpo/videos/2149141970063 |
| Description | Invited speaker TropSci discourse event organised by The Mahathir Science Award Foundation (MCAF) and the Academy of Sciences Malaysia (ASM) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Presentation 'Interdisciplinary Research for Sustainable Use of Tropical Marine Resources' given on 28/09/21 as a pre-conference event to provide background for The International Conference on Tropical Sciences: contributions to Sustainability |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://msa-foundation.org/TropSc2021/pre-event/ |
| Description | JNCC-Marine Scotland workshop 'Exploring an Integrated Approach towards a Sustainable Blue Economy' |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Invited speaker at JNCC-Marine Scotland workshop 'Exploring an Integrated Approach towards a Sustainable Blue Economy' - I gave 2 presentations (1) Systems Thinking Approach for marine sustainability and (2) GCRF Blue Communities: Systems thinking research to advance marine spatial planning in SE Asia |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Knowledge Exchange Webinar (hosted by NexAMS ODA project) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | As part of the NexAMS series of Knowledge Exchange activities, delivered via webinar due to Covid restrictions, and to increase reach, a seminar was presented by Prof Mark Huxham, Professor of Teaching & Research in Environmental Biology, Edinburgh Napier University. The title was 'It Takes a Village: Starting a Blue Carbon Project from Scratch', in which Mark gave an overview of the status and importance of blue carbon habitats, particularly mangroves, then talked about the successful carbon credit scheme at Mikoko Pamoja, Kenya. Mark provided tips for developing community-based carbon projects, based on the perceived reasons for success of the Kenya project. 41 people attended, including 10 from the NexAMS team, but also reps from Sarawak Forestry Department, IUKRI, NGO's and other academic institutions. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | Knowledge Exchange Webinar hosted by NexAMS ODA project team |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | As part of the NexAMS project Knowledge exchange series, a webinar was delivered on 16th December, 2020, by Pn Siti Nurbaiyah to provide insights into academic research reaching policy decision-makers, particularly government agencies. 61 people registered and 41 participated, most academics including some high profile researchers at the University of Malaya. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| Description | Knowledge Exchange webinar |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | A knowledge exchange webinar, part of a series of similar events hosted by the NexAMS project, delivered by Research Assistant Audi Ali. Audi presented an overview of the policy making process in Malaysia and provided insights into how science can engage with policy. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | Launch of Centre for Systems Thinking: Ocean, Land and Society, Natural History Museum, - keynote speaker |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | The launch of University of Plymouth's Centre for Systems Thinking: Ocean, Land and Society at the Natural History Museum, London. This was an evening dinner event attended by more than 100 invitees across all sectors. Keynote presentations were given by Prof Austen, Dr Gemma Harper of JNCC and Prof Duncan Wingham, Chief Exec of NERC |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/research/centre-for-systems-thinking |
| Description | Marine Law Symposium |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Invited speaker and panellist to talk about Marine Net Gain at Marine Law Symposium: Can Offshore Wind Development Have a Net Positive Impact on Biodiversity? Regulatory and Scientific Perspectives and Considerations co-organised by The Nature Conservancy, Roger Williams University School of Law Marine Affairs Institute and the Rhode Island Sea Grant Legal Program, Rhode Island, USA, April |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://docs.rwu.edu/law_pubs_conf/179/ |
| Description | Marine issues presentation to Cefas Management Board away day |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Invited to give a presentation on current marine issues to the to Cefas Management Board at their away day to promote awareness and challenge |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Oral presentation at the Plymouth Marine Laboratory/University of Exeter Joint Seminar on ODA |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | This event was part of an ongoing series of joint seminars enabling academic researchers and students from Plymouth Marine Laboratory and University of Exeter to share and discuss research projects and topics. Approximately 40 people attended this virtual session, consisting of academic researchers, ECRs, postgraduate and undergraduate students. A second presentation by a UoE postgraduate was on sustainable aquaculture in Bangladesh, leading to subseguent discussions on the impacts of aquaculture on mangroves evidenced across Bangladesh and Malaysia. The seminar enabled me to share highlights from the ongoing collaboration between PML and Universiti Malaya from 2017 to 2021. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | PANEL SPEAKER FOR INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON TROPICAL SCIENCES: CONTRIBUTIONS TO SUSTAINABILITY |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Participated 26 October 2021 as a panel member in a discussion on Sustainable Blue Economy in the Tropics at the International Conference on Tropical Sciences (TropSc) : Contributions to Sustainability 2021. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://msa-foundation.org/TropSc2021/programme/ |
| Description | Plymouth Marine Laboratory Online News Article |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | A news article disseminated by Plymouth Marine Laboratory's Media & Communications service to coincide with International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem. The article 'Our research to protect mangrove ecosystems' included an overview of recent and current research projects on mangrove management and blue carbon finance, from the NexAMS, NetComFish and FOCUS programmes. 70 people viewed the articles (a relatively high figure for PML news items). The average time spent on the page was 5 minutes, again being higher than usual, suggesting readers were properly digesting the content. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://www.pml.ac.uk/News/Our-research-to-protect-mangrove-ecosystems |
| Description | Project External Partner Meeting |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Malaysia Case Study NexAMS 1st project partner meeting. This engagement was intended to update the partners that had formally supported the project proposal submission of the launch of the project earlier in the year, and progress to date. It also served to clarify the project's objectives to have these further validated. Multi-sector attendees included representatives from: 1. Coastal Forest Preservation, Forestry Department of Peninsular Malaysia 2. Forest Plantation and Innovation, Selangor Forestry Department 3. National Water Research Institute of Malaysia 4. MyMangrove 5. Malaysian Inshore Fishermen Association for Education and Welfare (JARING) 6. CPD Holistics Sdn. Bhd. 7. Centre for Coastal and Marine Environment, Maritime Institute of Malaysia (MIMA) The opportunity was taken to present the findings of a PESTLE Analysis (Political, Economic, Sociological, Technological, Legal and Environmental) by a University of Plymouth Masters student, who's thesis had been aligned to NexAMS's priority issues, namely the management of mangroves of Malaysia. The discussion was very worthwhile, although it was recognised that different representatives of the forest departments may be required for more effective engagement in the future. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| Description | Sustainable Management of Marine Resources |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Chaired session at The Sustainable Management of Marine Resources Annual Conference, Bristol, May |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Systems Thinking to advance marine spatial planning in SE Asia. Western Philippines Sea |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Opening keynote presentation (invited) at the International Western Philippines Sea Conference: Systems thinking research to advance marine spatial planning in SE Asia. Palawan, the Philippines, August |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://sites.google.com/wpu.edu.ph/icwps2023/home |
| Description | Systems Thinking to advance marine spatial planning, Jakarta |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Presentation on Systems Thinking given at Universitas Esa Ungull, Jakarta, Indonesia, August |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Systems thinking: seeing and making the connections for sustainable use of our ocean |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Gave keynote presentation at Ocean and Coastal Futures Conference. Questions and social media follow up |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2025 |
| URL | https://coastal-futures.net/ |
| Description | University Malaya Seminar, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: Systems thinking research to advance marine spatial planning in SE Asia - invited speaker |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Presentation at University seminar |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | University of Plymouth House of Lords Reception |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | University of Plymouth House of Lords Reception - met and discussed research and outcomes with a wide variety of people |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | chair a Royal Society of Biology's 'Policy Lates' panel event 'Why protect ocean biodiversity?' |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Invited to chair a Royal Society of Biology's 'Policy Lates' panel event 'Why protect ocean biodiversity?' (online, evening, 15/11/2021) with 4 speakers. We explored the different benefits humans derive from marine organisms and ecosystems and why biodiversity is important for many aspects of life outside of the ocean. The event explored the value of marine biodiversity within the context of novel pharmaceuticals, and the interactions between the marine environment and the global climate as well as the social and policy challenges of developing international conservation targets for the world's oceans. The Policy Lates series is a partnership of five RSB Member Organisations: British Pharmacological Society, Biochemical Society, Society for Applied Microbiology, Society for Experimental Biology, and The Physiological Society. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.rsb.org.uk/news/experts-take-a-deep-dive-into-the-importance-of-ocean-biodiversity |
| Description | speaker at the International Partnership Workshop For Early Career Researchers (ECRs) in Malaysia |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | speaker at the International Partnership Workshop For Early Career Researchers (ECRs) jointly organised by the Newton-Ungku Omar Fund (NUOF) and the Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF) Blue Communities Malaysian Case Study, aiming at preparing the ECRs for international interdisciplinary research collaboration. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |