Middle Bank Sanctuary At Risk: Reclamation vs. Science

The Middle Bank: A Sanctuary of Global Importance

Just off the Jelutong coast lies the Middle Bank, a proposed Marine Sanctuary spanning 10 km². This isn't just seawater; it's a globally significant biodiversity hotspot identified by the Penang state's own think tank, the Penang Institute. Their research (Protecting Penang’s Marine Biodiversity: Establishing the Middle Bank Marine Sanctuary) reveals a staggering richness of life:

429 species recorded overall
7 species of seagrass: Vital carbon sinks and nursery grounds.
139 commercial fish species: Supporting local fisheries and livelihoods.
102 bird species: Including migratory visitors like the endangered Far Eastern Curlew.
7 marine mammals: Dolphins and whales grace these waters.
2 species of turtles.
100 mollusc species and 23 arthropods: Including critically endangered horseshoe crabs.

This sanctuary acts as Penang's natural defense, with ecosystems (seagrass beds, mudflats) providing coastal protection, stabilizing the seabed, purifying water, and sequestering carbon far more effectively than forests. Its value was further underscored in 2022 with the discovery of two new sea cucumber species: Euthyonidiella zulfigaris and Acaudina spinifera.

"...The ecological services of this ecosystem go beyond biodiversity. Seagrasses trap sediment, stabilise the seabed and improve water clarity. During the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, the seagrass meadows here helped buffer Penang’s coast by reducing wave energy..."

- Prof. Aileen Tan, Director, USM Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies (CEMACS)
(Source: The Star)

Map showing Middle Bank ecosystems and proposed reclamation site proximity

Source: Penang Institute (Figure 5-1). Redline added to approximate reclamation site.

The Threat: Science vs. Assurances

A 70-acre reclamation project is proposed dangerously encroach on this sanctuary, involving dumping 5.2 million cubic meters of sand (PLB – EIA Report, Table 5.15). Despite official assurances that the project will not encroach on the sanctuary, the developer's own Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report explicitly states:

"...The project site including the proposed reclamation area is located at the middle banks..."

- (PLB – EIA Report, Page 6.35)

This directly contradicts claims of non-encroachment, and the Penang Institute’s research confirms the project lies within the Middle Bank's deep channel, a critical part of the ecosystem.

Map detailing the proposed 70-acre reclamation site at Middle Bank deep channel

Image Source: PLB – EIA Report, Executive Summary, P.E1. Redline indicates reclamation boundary.

Devastating Impacts: Beyond Direct Encroachment

Even if claims of *no physical overlap* were true (which the EIA report, and Penang Institute's research contradicts), the project poses severe threats through indirect impacts:

Smothering Habitats: Tonnes of sand will bury sensitive seagrass meadows and intertidal zones, destroying habitats essential for countless species.
Sedimentation & Pollution: Construction and altered water flow will stir up sediment, choking marine life and blocking sunlight vital for seagrass. Runoff, potentially including leachate from the nearby Jelutong Landfill, risks poisoning the water.
Altered Hydrodynamics: Reclamation changes water currents, potentially eroding remaining habitats and disrupting the natural balance of the ecosystem.
Biodiversity Collapse: The destruction of habitats and food sources threatens the entire food web, impacting everything from microscopic organisms to commercial fish stocks and marine mammals.

Expert Warnings Ignored?

Leading marine scientists have voiced critical concerns:

Professor Aileen Tan warns that the project's proposed 500-metre buffer zone will still go into half of the Middle Bank, risking irreparable harm to seagrass meadows.

(Source: Malaysiakini)

"The seagrass meadows are showing signs of stress, and we may be approaching a point of no return. If we do not act soon, we risk losing not only a biodiversity hotspot but also the ecosystem services that protect our shores and food systems."

(Source: The Star)

- Prof. Aileen Tan, Director, USM Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies (CEMACS)

Dr. Jilliana Ooi explains that reclamation fundamentally alters hydrodynamics, leading to siltation that smothers seagrass. She notes seagrass restoration efforts have a success rate below 40%, making replanting largely ineffective against such large-scale destruction.

- Dr. Jilliana Ooi, Marine Ecologist, Universiti Malaya
(Source: Malaysiakini)

Mitigation is Not Enough

Proposed mitigation measures cannot fully counteract the massive ecological disruption caused by dumping millions of cubic meters of sand into a sensitive marine environment. This isn't sustainable development; it's risking the permanent loss of an irreplaceable natural treasure.

Our Duty to Protect

The Middle Bank Marine Sanctuary is a vital part of Penang's natural heritage, a crucial defense against climate change impacts, and a source of livelihood. We have a responsibility to protect it for future generations.

"...Let us not wait until it is too late. Let us choose to protect what protects us...."

- Prof. Aileen Tan, Director, USM Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies (CEMACS)
(Source: The Star)

Our demands:

Gazette the Middle Bank Marine Sanctuary to prevent further destruction.
Halt the reclamation project until an independent, comprehensive environmental impact assessment is completed.
Extend the Jelutong Landfill rehabilitation timeline to enable in-situ recovery, thereby eliminating the need for reclamation.
Collaborate with scientists, conservationists, and local communities to develop sustainable solutions that harmonize urban development with ecosystem preservation.

Urban progress and environmental conservation are not mutually exclusive. Protecting the Middle Bank is critical for maintaining our fisheries, coastal protection, and climate resilience.

*Primary data on species and ecosystem sourced from: Protecting Penang’s Marine Biodiversity: Establishing the Middle Bank Marine Sanctuary (MBMS) (2023), Penang Institute.

Middle Bank Sanctuary At Risk