UKM is committed to ensuring that food sourced from aquatic ecosystems on campus adheres to sustainable practices in alignment with Malaysia’s Fisheries Act 1985 (Act 317). By prioritizing suppliers who comply with this Act, UKM supports responsible harvesting, conservation of marine biodiversity, and protection of vital habitats. This commitment ensures that seafood provided on campus is sourced from licensed, regulated fisheries and aquaculture farms that uphold sustainable fishing methods, helping to safeguard Malaysia’s aquatic ecosystems for future generations.

1. UKM Sustainability Strategic Plan 2030

UKM plays a pivotal role in shaping Malaysia on marine ecosystem and biodiversity policies through its UKM Sustainability Strategic Plan 2030, which is designed to preserve the marine ecosystem. On page 44, under Sustainability Pillar 4 : Sustainable Campus, Objective 9, UKM ensures that food sourced from aquatic ecosystems for campus consumption aligns with sustainability principles. This includes promoting responsible and ethical sourcing practices, supporting suppliers that adhere to sustainable fisheries standards, and raising awareness on the importance of conserving marine life. Through these efforts, UKM upholds its role as a leader in fostering environmentally responsible practices within the campus community.

• Policy Created: 2022
• Policy Review: 2025

2. Malaysia Fisheries Act 1985 (Act 317)

UKM adheres to Malaysia Fisheries Act 1985 (Act 317) by implementing sustainable sourcing practices for food from aquatic ecosystems, aligning with the Act’s focus on conservation, responsible harvesting, and ecosystem protection. Here’s how UKM ensures compliance with this key legislation:

1. Sustainable Harvesting and Conservation: UKM prioritizes seafood sourced from suppliers who follow sustainable harvesting practices in line with the Fisheries Act. By supporting suppliers that prevent overfishing and protect marine habitats like coral reefs and mangroves, UKM contributes to the conservation of fishery resources, ensuring that its seafood consumption does not endanger marine life (Section 6, 7 and 8).
2. Licensing and Regulation Compliance: The Fisheries Act mandates that all fishing activities be licensed to prevent illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. UKM collaborates with licensed suppliers, ensuring that all seafood served on campus is sourced from regulated fisheries. This adherence helps protect fish populations and preserves aquatic ecosystems by maintaining legal and sustainable fishing limits (Section 11, 13 and 19).
3. Control of Fishing Methods: UKM ensures that its seafood suppliers avoid harmful fishing methods, such as using explosives or poisons, which are prohibited under the Fisheries Act. By sourcing from suppliers who use eco-friendly techniques, UKM supports practices that protect marine ecosystems and contribute to the health and sustainability of fish stocks (Section 26 and 27).
4. Sustainable Aquaculture Practices: The Act also regulates aquaculture, promoting eco-friendly farming to lessen the impact on wild fish populations. UKM can support sustainable aquaculture by sourcing seafood from farms that follow these guidelines, helping reduce pressure on wild fish stocks and supporting alternative, environmentally responsible sources of seafood (Section 40 and 41).
5. Marine Protected Areas: The Fisheries Act has designated marine parks and protected areas where fishing is limited or prohibited to allow marine life to thrive. UKM’s adherence to the Act involves respecting these protected areas by sourcing seafood from regions outside these zones, allowing fish populations in these sanctuaries to replenish naturally (Section 41 and 43).
6. Alignment with International Standards: Malaysia’s Fisheries Act aligns with international conservation standards, including the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 14 (Life Below Water), which promotes sustainable use of marine resources. By adhering to the Act, UKM supports global sustainability goals, ensuring that its food sourcing practices contribute to the responsible use of ocean resources and the protection of marine biodiversity (Section 1A, 6 and 61).

In practice, UKM compliance with the Malaysia Fisheries Act 1985 means selecting suppliers who follow sustainable fishing and aquaculture practices, verifying licenses, and ensuring adherence to environmental regulations. These efforts allow UKM to support the conservation of Malaysia’s aquatic ecosystems, promote the sustainable use of marine resources, and provide responsibly sourced seafood on campus. Through these actions, UKM upholds its commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship, aligned with national legislation and global conservation goals.

3. UKM Release of Fish Seeds at Tasik Chini UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Site

Since 2022, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) has undertaken a significant and ongoing ecological initiative involving the release of 21,000 Lampan Sungai Baung fish into the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve at Tasik Chini. This restocking project, which remains active until 2024, aims to strengthen the conservation of aquatic ecosystems through the reintroduction of native fish species. By restoring natural populations, UKM supports both food security for local communities and the ecological balance and biodiversity of Tasik Chini. In addition, regular monitoring and inventory assessments of fish species are conducted to evaluate ecosystem health and ensure the success of the conservation efforts. The table below presents the inventory of fish species conserved at Tasik Chini as part of this ongoing sustainability initiative.

Table: Fish species list and density rank in Tasik Chini

Species	Local Name	Individual	Mean Physical
			Standardlength (cm)	Weight(g)
Family Notopteridae
Notopterus notopterus	Potok/Selat	213	17.1	37.2
Family Cyprinidae
Thynnichthys thynnoides	Loma	112	18.3	65.9
Labiobarbus fasciata	Mengkawan	18	18.8	60.7
Family Siluridae
Kryptopterus bicirrhis	Lais	12	22.9	53.9
Family Helostomatidae
Helostoma temminckii	Tembakang	10	15.3	95.1
Family Cyprinidae
Cyclocheilichthys apogon	Cemperas	8	13.7	30.7
Labiobarbus festiva	Mengkawan	8	18.9	79.0
Family Bagridae
Mystus singaringan	Kenjing	7	15.1	92.3
Family Cyprinidae
Osteochilus vitattus	Terbul	9	15.5	47.2
Family Pristolepididae
Pristolepis fasciata	Patong	5	10.7	58.9
Family Cyprinidae
Osteochilus melanopleura	Terbul jalur	6	18.7	56.3
Family Butidae
Oxyeleotris marmoratus	Ketutu	5	27.8	254.9
Family Cyprinidae
Puntiuplites bulu	Tengalan	3	17.0	54.6
Family Pristolepididae
Pristolepis grooti	Kepor	2	11.6	31.7
Family Cyprinidae
Barbichthys laevis	Petulu	2	19.0	62.3
Macrochirichthysmacrochirus	Parang Sungai	2	26.4	85.6
Family Clariidae
Clarias batrachus	Keli	2	21.7	94.5
Family Pangasiidae
Pangasius spp.	Patin	1	45.5	580.0
Family Cyprinidae
Amblyrhynchichthystruncatus	Puling	1	16.6	51.2
Hampala macrolepidota	Sebarau	1	26.8	223.1
Labiobarbus leptocheilus	Mengkawan	1
Barbonymus schwanefeldii	Lampam Sungai	1
Cyclocheilichthys armatus	Mata Merah	1
Family Bagridae
Hemibagrus capitulum	Baung lemak	1	19.5	60.1
Family Channidae
Channa lucius	Bujuk	1	34.2	480.6
Family Anabantidae
Anabas testudineus	Puyu	1	12.0	85

Through its long-term conservation efforts at Tasik Chini, UKM demonstrates strong leadership in watershed management and aquatic ecosystem restoration, ensuring that science and community action work hand in hand to protect Malaysia’s freshwater ecosystems. The university’s initiatives not only safeguard native flora and fauna but also strengthen local livelihoods and cultural heritage connected to the lake. These efforts align with the UKM Sustainability Strategic Plan 2030 and directly contribute to SDG 14 (Life Below Water) by promoting sustainable management of inland waters and biodiversity. By integrating research excellence with practical conservation, UKM continues to set a national benchmark in sustainable watershed governance, ensuring that ecosystems like Tasik Chini remain thriving centers of biodiversity, education and community pride for generations to come.

4. Aquatic Ecosystems at UKM

UKM has several important water bodies, including fish ponds and lakes, which play a major role in the campus ecosystem. Fish ponds at UKM not only serve as recreational areas but also as habitats for various species of fish and small aquatic life that contribute to the balance of the ecosystem. Lakes, in addition to being natural attractions, also support various species of flora and fauna, including aquatic plants, insects, birds, and amphibians that depend on the water environment for their survival. The ecosystems that live in these fish ponds and lakes involve complex interactions between organisms such as fish, aquatic insects, and microorganisms that play a role in nutrient cycling, organic matter decomposition, and water quality control. Aquatic plants found in the lakes function as natural filters that help absorb pollutants and support biodiversity. The presence of birds that often stop by the lake area adds to the diversity of the ecosystem, indicating that the water bodies at UKM support the lives of various species and are important for the maintenance of the campus ecosystem. Therefore, fish ponds and lakes at UKM not only provide a conducive environment for aquatic life but also function as learning sites for biodiversity, ecology, and environmental conservation studies. The preservation of these water bodies is important to ensure ecological balance and as a step towards achieving sustainability goals, especially those related to SDG 14: Life Below Water.