Partnership for Sustainable Aquatic Futures
UMS–WorldFish 
Advancing Blue Economy, Biodiversity, and Food Security in Borneo and Beyond
HOW WE WORK
UMS × WorldFish: Science Beneath the Waves: UMS & WorldFish for a Sustainable Ocean
The UMS–WorldFish partnership stands as a landmark collaboration uniting Malaysian academic excellence and global aquatic food research expertise. Established in 1999, Universiti Malaysia Sabah became WorldFish’s first Malaysian university partner, pioneering scientific studies on genetic improvement of Nile tilapia under the Reefs at Risk in Southeast Asia framework. Over two decades later, the partnership continues to evolve toward sustainability-driven innovation — addressing climate resilience, inclusive aquaculture, and marine biodiversity protection. Through programs such as Climate-Adaptive, Inclusive Aquaculture (CAINA) and emerging seaweed bioeconomy initiatives, UMS and WorldFish are jointly advancing the blue economy and livelihood resilience of Sabah’s coastal communities.
Universiti Malaysia Sabah
UMS × WorldFish: Empowering artisans and ecosystems alike — sustainability through education and tradition
The collaboration between Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) and WorldFish represents one of Malaysia’s longest-standing academic–research alliances in marine and aquatic sustainability. Beginning in 1999, UMS collaborated with WorldFish to develop operational guidelines for genetic enhancement of Nile tilapia and F1 cross-bred clones, aligning with the Reefs at Risk in Southeast Asia initiative to improve reef-dependent aquaculture practices. Building on that foundation, UMS has been a partner in WorldFish’s Climate-Adaptive, Inclusive Aquaculture (CAINA) initiative — an IDRC-funded program promoting nature-based aquaculture solutions in Malaysia and the Solomon Islands. UMS researchers contribute to designing low-carbon aquaculture models, integrating climate-smart technologies and community training for small-scale fish farmers. Most recently, both institutions are spearheading research on seaweed and aquatic plants as a sustainable food source and climate solution. Through the Borneo Marine Research Institute (BMRI) and Institute of Tropical Aquaculture and Fisheries (IPMB), UMS is leading innovation on seaweed cultivation, bio-processing, and value-chain enhancement — with WorldFish providing global expertise in sustainable aquatic food systems. Together, UMS and WorldFish are driving the transformation of Borneo’s blue economy into a model of sustainable development, community empowerment, and biodiversity conservation.
- i. Foundational Partnership (Since 1999) UMS was recognised as WorldFish’s first Malaysian university partner, collaborating on the genetic enhancement of Nile tilapia and use of F1 cross-bred clones within the context of the Reefs at Risk in Southeast Asia initiative. Read More
- ii. Climate-Adaptive, Inclusive Aquaculture (CAINA) UMS is a listed contributor and affiliate in the CAINA programme led by WorldFish, funded by International Development Research Centre (IDRC), promoting climate-smart, nature-based aquaculture practices in Malaysia and the Solomon Islands Read More
- iii. Seaweed & aquatic plants: agenda-setting and scoping in Sabah WorldFish has publicly positioned seaweed as a transformative aquatic food, aligning with East Malaysia opportunities that UMS (via BMRI/IPMB) can operationalize. (Context setting from WorldFish’s seaweed program blog series Read More
From the early Reefs at Risk collaboration to pioneering Climate-Adaptive Aquaculture and Seaweed Innovation, the UMS–WorldFish partnership reflects a shared commitment to sustainability, equity, and resilience. Rooted in Borneo, this collaboration continues to inspire regional and global action for sustainable oceans and communities.