Preservation of South China Sea is integral to protecting marine ecosystems - Expert

Efforts to preserve South China Sea must continue as it is one of the most productive tropical oceans in the world.

Senior Research Fellow of the Institute of Ocean and Earth Sciences (IOES), Univerisiti Malaya Prof Datuk Dr Azizan Abu Samah said the people must act as stewards to ensure the large marine ecosystem is conserved.

"In it, there are diverse coral ecosystems as well as mangrove systems.

"Therefore, in terms of biodiversity, it is right up on top," said Dr Azizan during an interview with Astro AWANI's Consider This to mark World Oceans Day.

He also touched on the importance of protecting the oceans as it is integral in regulating climate all over the world.

"Academics are doing all the necessary studies but other issues such as ocean borders may present challenges to the efforts to learn more about the oceans," said Dr Azizan who is the former Director of the National Antartic Research Centre.