Rehabilitation & Conservation of Gamat in Langkawi

The extinction of Gamat Emas (Stichopus horrens) in Langkawi has an impact on the Gamat industry, which is a  heritage and the main attraction of Langkawi tourism. As such the Langkawi Development Authority (LADA) has sought the help of MOSTI to find a solution for this issue. Thus, MOSTI has entrusted ASM to implement the Rehabilitation and Conservation of Gamat Project in Langkawi as one of the projects under the National Social Innovation Sandbox (NSIS).

The objective of this project is for the rehabilitation and conservation of Gamat Emas in Langkawi for the sustainability of the gamat industry and biodiversity. In addition, this project also aims to increase the adoption of local technologies for conservation and socio-economic benefits to Langkawi.

Activities

• YBrs Dr K. Nagulendran, TKSU (T), MOSTI’s visit to Marine and Coastal Studies (CEMACS) on 22 April 2022.

• YBhg Datuk Zainal Abidin Abu Hassan, KSU MOSTI’s visit to CEMACS on 24 May 2022.

• Site visits to the gamat industries and the Fisheries Research Institute (FRI) Langkawi to see the possibilities of collaboration in the project.

• A meeting with LADA was conducted to discuss on the possibilities of the project. 

Outcomes

• To increase the gamat population living in the waters of Langkawi.

• To increase commercial revenue that benefits the local community and Langkawi as a whole.

• To preserve Langkawi’s heritage and improve the tourism sector. 

• To raise awareness about gamat. 

This project will be carried out in Langkawi until 2030. It is specifically formulated to provide a comprehensive and sustainable end-to-end solution from upstream to downstream through four sub-projects:

• Breeding and Rehabilitation of Gamat

• Social Innovation Project for Gamat-based Products

• Ecosystem Rehabilitation

• Gamat Cloning

 From left: Dr Abe Woo (YSN-ASM Member & Senior Lecturer CEMACS, USM), Encik Yusof (PSTI, MOSTI), Dato’ Dr Aileen Tan Shau Hwai FASc & Ts Dr K. Nagulendran (Deputy Secretary-General, Planning & Science Enculturation, MOSTI) during their visit to CEMACS under the MOSTI Social Innovation Programme.

 Gamat Emas (Stichopus horrens).