Centre for Coastal and Marine Environment,
Maritime Institute of Malaysia, 12, Jalan Yap Kwan Seng,
50450 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
khtan@mima.gov.my

Mangroves, sea grass beds and coral reefs are very productive ecosystems and major life support systems for the tropical coastal and marine environment. They play a very important role in protecting coastal people and their property, restoring fisheries production and safeguarding the livelihoods of coastal fishermen, and maintaining a rich and healthy coastal and marine biodiversity. Interactions between mangrove, sea grass and coral reef ecosystems are known to exist. These systems are intricately linked by physical and nutrient interactions, fish migrations and anthropogenic impacts. A recent survey in Malaysia showed that all three ecosystems exist together in some coastal areas. However, the importance of these linkages has not been adequately addressed at the management and policy levels. This poster highlights the importance of maintaining these connections and interaction, reviews the existing management and policy, and stresses the need for the integrated management of these resources.