PUTRAJAYA: The Fisheries Malaysia Department is amending the Fisheries Regulations under Section 27 of the Fisheries Act 1985, specifically the Fisheries (Control of Endangered Species of Fish) Regulations 1999, to include nine marine mammal species in the existing protection list. He said the nine marine mammal species proposed for listing are Balaenoptera omurai, Peponocephala electra, Feresa attenuata, Tursiops aduncus, Stenella coeruleoalba, Stenella attenuata, Ziphius cavirostris, Steno bredanensis and Kogia sima. "In conjunction with International Marine Mammal Protection Day, the Department of Fisheries continues to develop the National Plan of Action for Dugong," he said. "The dugong (Dugong dugon) is an indicator species for the health of coastal marine ecosystems and is closely linked to the sustainability of seagrass beds that support fisheries productivity, coastal protection and blue carbon storage," he said. In addition to strengthening domestic protection, Adnan said the initiative also supports compliance with international trade standards.

Source: The Star February 20, 2026 14:19 UTC