Post on 26-Jan-2023
MARITIME ISSUES IN MARITIME ISSUES IN SOUTHEAST ASIASOUTHEAST ASIA
Mohd Nizam BasironMohd Nizam BasironResearch Fellow MIMAResearch Fellow MIMA
GREETINGSGREETINGS
•• My Name: My Name: Mohd Nizam BasironMohd Nizam Basiron
•• Who Am I?Who Am I?-- Research Fellow at the Centre for Research Fellow at the Centre for Coastal Coastal and Marine Environment, Maritime and Marine Environment, Maritime Institute Institute of Malaysiaof Malaysia
-- Trained in Ecology and Environmental Trained in Ecology and Environmental Policy Policy AnalysisAnalysis
•• How Are You?How Are You?
OUTLINE OF PRESENTATIONOUTLINE OF PRESENTATION
•• ObjectiveObjective•• IntroductionIntroduction•• Southeast Asia Southeast Asia –– a brief introductiona brief introduction•• Maritime Issues in Southeast AsiaMaritime Issues in Southeast Asia•• Straits of Malacca Case StudyStraits of Malacca Case Study•• ConclusionsConclusions
OBJECTIVESOBJECTIVES
•• Provide broadProvide broad--brush presentation of brush presentation of maritime issues in Southeast Asia.maritime issues in Southeast Asia.
•• Present case study of specific sea area to Present case study of specific sea area to illustrate issues.illustrate issues.
HumanHuman--Ocean InteractionsOcean Interactions
•• The relationship started since time immemorial.The relationship started since time immemorial.•• Early human settlements date 40,000 years ago in Early human settlements date 40,000 years ago in
Southern Africa and Southern Africa and MalenesiaMalenesia..•• Coastal areas offered early settlers fertile land Coastal areas offered early settlers fertile land
and abundant protein.and abundant protein.•• Early navigators may have crossed from Early navigators may have crossed from
Southeast Asia to Australia and New Guinea Southeast Asia to Australia and New Guinea 40,000 years ago.40,000 years ago.
•• Maritime trade in Europe began 5,000 years ago.Maritime trade in Europe began 5,000 years ago.•• 2,000 years ago Sri Lanka and Maldives sent 2,000 years ago Sri Lanka and Maldives sent
emissaries to Rome.emissaries to Rome.
HumanHuman--Ocean InteractionsOcean Interactions•• Two way.Two way.•• Humans affect and are affected by the Humans affect and are affected by the
sea.sea.•• Extends beyond extractive and Extends beyond extractive and
exploitative.exploitative.•• Includes management measures.Includes management measures.
•• Southeast Asia is an excellent example of a region Southeast Asia is an excellent example of a region where there is close interwhere there is close inter--relationship between relationship between humans and the sea.humans and the sea.
•• 4,000,000 sq. km of land area.4,000,000 sq. km of land area.•• It encompass important seas:It encompass important seas:
-- South China SeaSouth China Sea-- Sulu SeaSulu Sea-- Sulawesi SeaSulawesi Sea-- Straits of Malacca and SingaporeStraits of Malacca and Singapore-- Andaman SeaAndaman Sea-- Indian OceanIndian Ocean-- Lombok StraitsLombok Straits-- Makassar StraitsMakassar Straits
•• Influences and is influenced by the sea.Influences and is influenced by the sea.
Total Population in Southeast Asia Countries (in millions)
540.57532.97517.29478.97437.53356.06Total
80.9079.8877.6972.0066.2353.72Vietnam
63.0862.8061.8759.4656.3046.96Thailand
4.194.174.023.533.052.41Singapore
81.0879.5076.5068.6260.7048.10Philippines
53.2252.1750.1344.7440.7833.61Myanmar
25.0524.5223.4920.6918.1013.88Malaysia
5.685.535.234.694.143.20Laos
213.72211.06205.84194.75179.38147.49Indonesia
13.3013.0012.2010.208.606.50Cambodia
0.350.340.320.290.250.19Brunei Darussalam
200320022000199519901980
YearCountry
Source: United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (Available online at unescap org/stat/statdata/apinfig htm)
Why the Seas of Southeast Asia are Why the Seas of Southeast Asia are Important?Important?
•• Trade routes.Trade routes.•• Ecosystems and habitats.Ecosystems and habitats.•• Source of fisheries.Source of fisheries.•• Marine biodiversity.Marine biodiversity.•• Hydrocarbon.Hydrocarbon.
•• 9.5 million barrels of oil passed through 9.5 million barrels of oil passed through the Straits of Malacca in 1997.the Straits of Malacca in 1997.
•• Expected to increase to between 19 and Expected to increase to between 19 and 20 million barrels by 2020.20 million barrels by 2020.
•• More than half of oil destined for More than half of oil destined for Northeast Asian economies passes Northeast Asian economies passes through the Straits of Malacca and the through the Straits of Malacca and the SpratlysSpratlys..
•• Centre of global coral reefs and mangrove Centre of global coral reefs and mangrove distribution:distribution:-- 34 % of world34 % of world’’s coral reef areas coral reef area
(100,000 sq. km)(100,000 sq. km)-- more than 40 % of worldmore than 40 % of world’’s mangrovess mangroves
(5.2 million ha)(5.2 million ha)•• 20 of 50 20 of 50 seagrassseagrass species recorded worldwide.species recorded worldwide.
-- second most second most seagrassseagrass rich species arearich species area•• 4 species of marine turtles.4 species of marine turtles.
•• Nearly 10 % of world capture fisheries.Nearly 10 % of world capture fisheries.•• More than half of culture production.More than half of culture production.•• Major consumers of fish and other Major consumers of fish and other
seafood.seafood.•• Net exporters of fishery products.Net exporters of fishery products.
•• Close correlation between the sea, man, Close correlation between the sea, man, economy and environment in Southeast economy and environment in Southeast Asia.Asia.
•• The relationship is also the principal cause The relationship is also the principal cause of problems in the seas of Southeast Asia.of problems in the seas of Southeast Asia.
Seafood as Percentage of Animal Protein Seafood as Percentage of Animal Protein Consumed in Selected CountriesConsumed in Selected Countries
66United StatesUnited States
99United KingdomUnited Kingdom
3838SenegalSenegal
5050PhilippinesPhilippines
2424MoroccoMorocco
1515MadagascarMadagascar
5151JapanJapan
3131Ivory CoastIvory Coast
6060IndonesiaIndonesia
1313IndiaIndia
5050GhanaGhana
1919ChinaChina
1010CanadaCanada
66AustraliaAustralia
%%CountryCountry
•• South China Sea holds vast hydrocarbon South China Sea holds vast hydrocarbon resources.resources.
•• At USD 20/barrel, interest in exploitation is At USD 20/barrel, interest in exploitation is low, butlow, but……
•• With oil prices at around USD With oil prices at around USD 60/barrel, pressure to 60/barrel, pressure to exploit increases.exploit increases.
Navigational SafetyNavigational Safety
•• Southeast Asian seas are at risk from Southeast Asian seas are at risk from shipping activities.shipping activities.
•• Risk will increase as world shipping Risk will increase as world shipping increases to support global economy.increases to support global economy.
•• From 1978 to 2003, 888 incidents From 1978 to 2003, 888 incidents occurred in the Straits of Malacca.occurred in the Straits of Malacca.
•• Threats posed to ecosystems in the Straits Threats posed to ecosystems in the Straits of Malacca and of Malacca and SpratlysSpratlys are real and are real and growing.growing.
Figure 1. Total number of ships passing through the Straits of Malacca, (1999-2003)
010,00020,00030,00040,00050,00060,00070,000
1999 2000 2001 2002 2003
Year
Tota
l no.
•• Malaysia has spent nearly RM 250 million Malaysia has spent nearly RM 250 million to ensure safety of navigation in the Strait to ensure safety of navigation in the Strait of Malacca.of Malacca.
•• A further RM 8 million annually in A further RM 8 million annually in maintenance.maintenance.
•• Investment justified given the risks Investment justified given the risks involved.involved.
National ActionNational Action
•• Conducting Conducting surveillance.surveillance.
•• Enforcing Enforcing national laws.national laws.
•• Preparing for Preparing for disasters, disasters, particularly oil particularly oil spills.spills.
Navigational Safety
Security/Anti Crime
Pollution Prevention
Fisheries
Eye in the Sky
SecuritySecurity
•• Traditional security issues.Traditional security issues.-- conflict between countries.conflict between countries.-- territorial or boundary disputes.territorial or boundary disputes.-- unresolved boundary issues in the South unresolved boundary issues in the South
China Sea, Sulawesi and portions of the China Sea, Sulawesi and portions of the Straits of Malacca.Straits of Malacca.
•• Armed conflict has broken out at sea.Armed conflict has broken out at sea.•• Statement on the Code of Conduct of Statement on the Code of Conduct of
Claimant Parties in the South China Sea Claimant Parties in the South China Sea offers partial, offers partial, ‘‘temporarytemporary’’ solution.solution.
SecuritySecurity
•• NonNon--traditional security issues.traditional security issues.-- crime at sea (piracy, human smuggling, crime at sea (piracy, human smuggling,
gungun--running)running)-- terrorismterrorism-- terrorism and piracy?terrorism and piracy?
•• Recent attacks by terrorists and pirates on Recent attacks by terrorists and pirates on commercial shipping elsewhere showed the commercial shipping elsewhere showed the risks involved.risks involved.
Environmental DegradationEnvironmental Degradation
•• Loss and modification of ecosystems and Loss and modification of ecosystems and habitatshabitats-- 82 % of reefs degraded in ASEAN in 82 % of reefs degraded in ASEAN in
19941994-- 88 % at risk (Reefs at Risk)88 % at risk (Reefs at Risk)-- between 12 and 57 % of mangroves between 12 and 57 % of mangroves
lost among SEA Countrieslost among SEA Countries-- between 20 to 50% between 20 to 50% seagrassseagrass areas areas
damageddamaged
Environmental DegradationEnvironmental Degradation
•• CausesCauses-- human impact largely responsiblehuman impact largely responsible
** conversionconversion** developmentdevelopment** destructive fishingdestructive fishing** population increasepopulation increase
Environmental DegradationEnvironmental Degradation•• Decline in biodiversityDecline in biodiversity
--BleachingBleaching--Natural disastersNatural disasters
Climate changeClimate change
--Ballast water dischargeBallast water discharge--AquacultureAquaculture--Ornamental fishOrnamental fish
Introduction of alien speciesIntroduction of alien species
--LandLand--based pollutionbased pollution--VesselVessel--based pollutionbased pollution
PollutionPollution
--Development in the coastal zone and on Development in the coastal zone and on islandsislands--Modification of habitatsModification of habitats
Alteration of physical environmentAlteration of physical environment
--Unlicensed gearsUnlicensed gears--Destructive fishing practicesDestructive fishing practices--EncroachmentEncroachment
OverexploitationOverexploitation
Local ThreatsLocal ThreatsGlobal ThreatsGlobal Threats
Environmental DegradationEnvironmental Degradation•• PollutionPollution
-- landland--basedbased** a major problema major problem** many settlements lack seweragemany settlements lack sewerage** 360 million lives on the shores of 360 million lives on the shores of the South China Seathe South China Sea** only 11 % of BOD generated is only 11 % of BOD generated is treatedtreated
-- vesselvessel--based smaller but potential for based smaller but potential for disaster great especially in the Straits of disaster great especially in the Straits of MalaccaMalacca
-- transboundarytransboundary pollutionpollution
•• Lack of uniformity in ratification of Lack of uniformity in ratification of international convention.international convention.
•• No regional instrument.No regional instrument.•• Need to improve coNeed to improve co--operation in marine operation in marine
scientific research.scientific research.•• Differing capacity in management.Differing capacity in management.•• TransboundaryTransboundary crime.crime.•• Natural disasters.Natural disasters.
OceansOceans’’ Impact on ManImpact on Man
•• Epidemic and diseaseEpidemic and disease-- In 1973 a major outbreak of cholera in In 1973 a major outbreak of cholera in Naples Naples
was attributed to consumption of was attributed to consumption of contaminated shellfish. The cholera outbreak contaminated shellfish. The cholera outbreak of 1991 to 1995 in South America took of 1991 to 1995 in South America took 10,000 10,000 lives and began in the coastal cities of Peru.lives and began in the coastal cities of Peru.
•• Natural disastersNatural disasters-- floodingflooding-- coastal erosioncoastal erosion
-- tsunami !tsunami !
Managing the Straits of Malacca: Issues Managing the Straits of Malacca: Issues and Challengesand Challenges
Outline of PresentationOutline of Presentation
•• IntroductionIntroduction•• Straits of Malacca Straits of Malacca –– vital statisticsvital statistics•• Straits of Malacca and Adjacent Water BodiesStraits of Malacca and Adjacent Water Bodies•• Issues in Managing the Marine Environment of the Issues in Managing the Marine Environment of the
Straits of MalaccaStraits of Malacca•• Challenges in Managing the Marine Environment Challenges in Managing the Marine Environment
of the Straits of Malaccaof the Straits of Malacca•• A Note on the Role of User StatesA Note on the Role of User States•• ConclusionsConclusions
Introduction: The Straits of Malacca:Introduction: The Straits of Malacca:
•• Longest Straits used for international navigation.Longest Straits used for international navigation.•• Important current and historical link for EastImportant current and historical link for East--
West trade.West trade.•• Connect Indian Ocean with South China Sea.Connect Indian Ocean with South China Sea.•• Important for socioImportant for socio--economy and environment of economy and environment of
littoral States.littoral States.•• Critical for world trade and movement of oil.Critical for world trade and movement of oil.•• Of strategic value to superpower and emerging Of strategic value to superpower and emerging
powers.powers.•• Important source of fish for littoral States.Important source of fish for littoral States.
STRAITS OF MALACCAVITAL STATISTICS
240 kmLength of Traffic Separation Scheme
888Accidents (1978 – 2003)
Total for 2003 – 62,334:•VLCC/Deep draft craft (3,487)•Tanker vessel (15,667)•LNG/LPG carries (3,277)•Cargo vessel (6,193)•Container vessel (19,575)
Navigation (number of ships passing through as captured by Vessel Tracking System at Port Klang)
Malaysia – 13,778,049Indonesia - 10,930,408
Population (1993)
Malaysia – 489,026 metric tones (2000)Indonesia – 440,000 metric tonnes (1993)
Fisheries landings
Mangroves – 498,109 hectare•Malaysia (111,409)•Indonesia (386,100)Coral Reefs•Malaysia – fringing reefs in Port Dickson, Pulau Payar. Newly discovered reefs in Pulau Perak•Indonesia – some fringing reefs in northern SumateraSeagrass•Malaysia – Langkawi, Port Dickson, Seberang Prai, Teluk Nipah (9 species)•Indonesia – East coast of Sumatera (12 species)•Singapore – Southern Island (11 species)
Marine and Coastal Ecosystems
Widest point - 220 nautical miles at northen limitsNarrowest point – 8 nautical miles around Riau archipelago
Width
About 500 nautical miles or 900 from Pulau Rondo to Koh Phuket (northen limit) to Pulau Karuman and Tanjong Piai.Longest Straits used for international navigation.
Length
FiguresCharacteristic
Straits of Malacca: Economic Value (000,000 Straits of Malacca: Economic Value (000,000 USD)USD)
Indonesiacoastline
Malaysiancoastline
Singaporecoastline Straits-wide
Coastline(km) 1,641 956 130 2727Fisheries 456.39 341.11 4.03 801.53
Aquaculture 87.18 57.62 11.16 155.96Mangroves 3766.10 1747.65 44.12 5557.87Mudflats 0.03 31.58 0.03 31.34
Coral reefs 455.20 34.57 0.07 484.84Seagrass N/A 8.10 0.09 8.19Seaweed 9.36 1.02 N/A 11.46Beach 369.35 169.23 275.87 814.45
Sea Lanes N/A N/A N/A 340Total 4,687.22 2,173.61 333.37 7,534.21
Sources:GEF/UNDP/IMO Regional Program for the Prevention and Managementof Marine Pollution in the East Asian Seas.
The Straits of Malacca and Adjacent The Straits of Malacca and Adjacent Water BodiesWater Bodies
The Straits of Malacca links the Indian Ocean with the South The Straits of Malacca links the Indian Ocean with the South China Sea.China Sea.Adjacent to the Andaman Sea.Adjacent to the Andaman Sea.Shares ecological characteristics with Indian Ocean and Shares ecological characteristics with Indian Ocean and Andaman Sea in terms mangroves species and coral species.Andaman Sea in terms mangroves species and coral species.Is affected and will affect the environments of adjacent seas inIs affected and will affect the environments of adjacent seas incase of events such as pollution.case of events such as pollution.Example MV Nagasaki Spirit and MV Ocean Blessing collision in Example MV Nagasaki Spirit and MV Ocean Blessing collision in 1992 which occurred at the boundary of the Indian Ocean and 1992 which occurred at the boundary of the Indian Ocean and the Straits of Malacca.the Straits of Malacca.
The Straits of Malacca and Adjacent The Straits of Malacca and Adjacent Water BodiesWater Bodies
The heavy tanker traffic in the Straits of The heavy tanker traffic in the Straits of Malacca could adversely affect the Indian Malacca could adversely affect the Indian Ocean in case of accident.Ocean in case of accident.Ports in the Straits of Malacca also play a role Ports in the Straits of Malacca also play a role in the exploitation of resources in the Indian in the exploitation of resources in the Indian Ocean. Penang is the main landing port for Ocean. Penang is the main landing port for tuna caught by Taiwanese vessels in the Indian tuna caught by Taiwanese vessels in the Indian Ocean.Ocean.With tuna landing increasing since 1993, role of With tuna landing increasing since 1993, role of ports in the Straits ofports in the Straits of MalaccaMalaccais also expected to increase.is also expected to increase.
Issues in Managing the Straits of MalaccaIssues in Managing the Straits of Malacca
Environmental DegradationEnvironmental Degradation-- a perennial problem given rising coastal a perennial problem given rising coastal
population resulting in more pollution and population resulting in more pollution and increasing pressure for more resources especially increasing pressure for more resources especially fisheries resourcefisheries resource
-- 60,000 vessels passing through the Straits yearly 60,000 vessels passing through the Straits yearly pose a potential threat from accidental oil spills pose a potential threat from accidental oil spills and intentional dischargesand intentional discharges
-- modification and destruction of habitats from modification and destruction of habitats from activities such as coastal land reclamationactivities such as coastal land reclamation
Issues in Managing the Straits of MalaccaIssues in Managing the Straits of Malacca
Environmental Degradation SymptomsEnvironmental Degradation Symptoms-- decline in quality of fisheries landings in the Straits decline in quality of fisheries landings in the Straits
of Malaccaof Malacca-- lower catchlower catch--perper--unitunit--efforteffort-- loss of mangrove cover:loss of mangrove cover:
Malaysia (20 % overall), Indonesia (40% overall), Malaysia (20 % overall), Indonesia (40% overall), Thailand (60% overall)Thailand (60% overall)
-- increased pollution from landincreased pollution from land--based based sourcessources
-- new problems such as introduction of new problems such as introduction of alien speciesalien species
Challenges in Managing the Marine Challenges in Managing the Marine Environment of the Straits of MalaccaEnvironment of the Straits of Malacca
VesselVessel--based Pollution Preventionbased Pollution Prevention-- prevention of accidents through traffic prevention of accidents through traffic
separation scheme and mandatory reportingseparation scheme and mandatory reporting-- preparing for pollution by placing oil spill preparing for pollution by placing oil spill
control stockpile and national contingency control stockpile and national contingency planningplanning
-- enforcement and surveillance ongoing but enforcement and surveillance ongoing but difficult as it is a factor of traffic volume, size difficult as it is a factor of traffic volume, size of sea area and time vs. availability of assets.of sea area and time vs. availability of assets.
Challenges in Managing the Marine Challenges in Managing the Marine Environment of the Straits of MalaccaEnvironment of the Straits of Malacca
LandLand--based Pollution Preventionbased Pollution Prevention-- population and economic population and economic centrescentres produce vast produce vast
amount of pollutionamount of pollution-- infrastructure lacking in generalinfrastructure lacking in general-- need to address as a matter of urgencyneed to address as a matter of urgency-- implement GPAimplement GPA
Challenges in Managing the Marine Challenges in Managing the Marine Environment of the Straits of MalaccaEnvironment of the Straits of Malacca
Biodiversity ConservationBiodiversity Conservation
-- ecosystems and habitats are being degraded as shown by ecosystems and habitats are being degraded as shown by mangroves statisticsmangroves statistics
-- loss of biodiversity not monitoredloss of biodiversity not monitored-- ecosystem protection could have ecosystem protection could have
lessened impact of recent tsunamilessened impact of recent tsunami-- in parts of Penang mangroves in parts of Penang mangroves
protected through local community protected through local community action helped action helped minimiseminimise damagedamage
-- sustainable sustainable utilisationutilisation possiblepossible-- Large Marine Ecosystems approach?Large Marine Ecosystems approach?
Issues in Managing the Straits of MalaccaIssues in Managing the Straits of Malacca
Navigational SafetyNavigational Safety-- shipping is an inherently risky activityshipping is an inherently risky activity-- in the Straits of Malacca the risk is multiplied in the Straits of Malacca the risk is multiplied
60,000 times not including cross60,000 times not including cross--straits trafficstraits traffic-- 20,000 tankers of various types20,000 tankers of various types-- from 1978 to 2003 888 accidents from 1978 to 2003 888 accidents
have occurred in the Straits of have occurred in the Straits of MalaccaMalacca
Issues in Managing the Straits of MalaccaIssues in Managing the Straits of Malacca
Navigational SafetyNavigational Safety-- piracy or crime at sea is a concernpiracy or crime at sea is a concern-- terrorism has been identified as a possibleterrorism has been identified as a possible
threatthreat
‘‘PiracyPiracy’’ Incidents in the Straits of Incidents in the Straits of Malacca and SingaporeMalacca and Singapore
•• 19941994 66•• 19951995 44•• 19961996 55•• 19971997 55•• 19981998 22•• 19991999 3232•• 20002000 8080•• 20012001 2424•• 20022002 2121•• 20032003 3030•• 20042004 4646•• 20052005 1919
A Note on the Role of the User StatesA Note on the Role of the User States
User States should contribute to the User States should contribute to the management of the Strait of Malacca but management of the Strait of Malacca but except for Japan, many others are except for Japan, many others are ““freefree--ridersriders””..An initiative should be started to engage An initiative should be started to engage the user states in discussion on improving the user states in discussion on improving their contribution to the management of their contribution to the management of the Strait of Malacca.the Strait of Malacca.Navigational safety should be the focal Navigational safety should be the focal point of discussion.point of discussion.
Conclusions to Case StudyConclusions to Case StudyThe utility of the Straits of Malacca belies its The utility of the Straits of Malacca belies its sociosocio--economic and environmental significance economic and environmental significance to coastal States, local communities and its to coastal States, local communities and its linkage to adjacent water bodies.linkage to adjacent water bodies.Challenges of managing the Straits of Malacca Challenges of managing the Straits of Malacca are manifold requiring multiple responses.are manifold requiring multiple responses.Unfortunately for the littoral States there is no Unfortunately for the littoral States there is no ‘‘panaceapanacea’’ to the problems.to the problems.Actions needed at country as well as regional Actions needed at country as well as regional and international levels.and international levels.Cooperation vital but not always forthcoming.Cooperation vital but not always forthcoming.
•• The sea is a vital element of Southeast The sea is a vital element of Southeast AsiaAsia’’s economic, environmental and social s economic, environmental and social wellwell--being.being.
•• Goods and services are obtained from the Goods and services are obtained from the sea by Southeast Asian countries and sea by Southeast Asian countries and other nations:other nations:-- trade routestrade routes-- fisheriesfisheries-- nonnon--living resourcesliving resources
•• Like any other maritime region, Southeast Asia Like any other maritime region, Southeast Asia faces a myriad of maritime issues, principally:faces a myriad of maritime issues, principally:-- navigational safetynavigational safety-- securitysecurity-- environmental degradationenvironmental degradation
•• But also:But also:-- lack of uniformity in ratification of lack of uniformity in ratification of
international convention.international convention.-- no regional instrument.no regional instrument.-- need to improve coneed to improve co--operation in marine operation in marine
scientific research.scientific research.-- differing capacity in management.differing capacity in management.-- transboundarytransboundary crime.crime.-- natural disasters.natural disasters.
•• Various regional projects exist but coVarious regional projects exist but co--operation level is still low.operation level is still low.
•• A new outlook is needed if the seas in A new outlook is needed if the seas in Southeast Asia are to be managed Southeast Asia are to be managed sustainablysustainably..