Written Article
First Place (10-13 Years Old)
#NYRE2024
The Silent Retreat of Our Shores: Coastal Erosion in Port Dickson
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Introduction
As the sun rises over the beautiful beaches of Port Dickson, something serious is happening, the coastline is slowly disappearing. The sandy shores that once stretched for miles are shrinking every year. This isn’t just about losing beautiful views, it’s about how climate change and human activities are affecting the lives of people, plants, and animals in this coastal town.
Kent, a long-time resident and environmental conservationist, developed a deep love for the ocean, which led him to move to Port Dickson in 2016. However, over the years, he has witnessed how coastal erosion is eating away at the beaches. What was once a scenic paradise has now become a place facing significant challenges, ones that affect not just the landscape, but also the people who depend on it.
The Problem: Coastal Erosion and Climate Change
Like many coastal areas, Port Dickson faces the serious issue of erosion, with both natural processes and human activities contributing to the problem. Waves, tides, and heavy storms slowly wash away the land. Rising sea levels, intensified by global warming, are making things worse. Malaysia could lose up to 1.5 meters of coastline every year, putting communities and jobs at risk. Kent explains, “The beaches here are shrinking. If we don’t act soon, the ecosystem and the livelihoods of those who depend on the sea will be at risk.” The shrinking coastline is not only threatening the environment but also the economic survival of local fishermen, tourism businesses, and families living close to the shore.
Erosion Status: The Alarming Reality
According to a 2015 study, 10.2 kilometres of Negeri Sembilan’s coastline (17.59% of its total 58 kilometres) is already eroded. Beaches like Regency Beach, which once showed minor erosion, are now experiencing severe damage, losing over 4 meters annually. With the shoreline creeping closer to public spaces and homes, the erosion is not just an environmental issue, it threatens businesses, jobs, and infrastructure. Kent points out, “The fact that public facilities and people’s jobs are at
risk makes this even more urgent.
Physical Evidence of Erosion
Kent has seen the signs of erosion firsthand at Regency Beach. Protective measures such as sandbags and seawalls have been installed, but strong waves often cover these barriers, weakening them further. “The more we understand about our
coastline, the better we can plan our conservation efforts,” Kent says as he looks over the vulnerable landscape.
Impact on the Environment and Community
The loss of beaches is just the beginning. Coastal erosion threatens the mangrove forests that act as natural barriers, protecting the coast from storms and absorbing carbon dioxide. Without these mangroves, the coast becomes more vulnerable to future storms. Fish breeding areas are also being damaged, leaving local fishermen struggling with smaller catches and reduced income.
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The erosion doesn’t just impact livelihoods; it also causes anxiety among families who have lived along the coast for generations. “People are worried about the shoreline creeping closer to their homes,” Kent explains. The damage to infrastructure is a growing concern as well. At Pantai Dua and Pantai Tiga Teluk Kemang, broken structures have left sharp concrete and metal debris scattered along the shore. Some visitors have even been injured by these fragments, highlighting the need for better safety measures for both locals and tourists.
Infrastructure Damage: A Vulnerable Coastline
The erosion has caused serious damage to buildings and facilities along the shore. Parts of the seawall have collapsed under the force of strong tides and winds, and other protective structures are failing. “These structures were built with good
intentions,” Kent says, “but now they can’t handle what’s happening.” With sand washing away, the foundations of these structures have weakened, making them less effective.
[Image 1 a] Sandbags cover the erosion barriers, but powerful waves continue to erode shoreline, gradually overwhelming and submerging the protective barriers - (Ahmad Hadi Mohamed Rashidi et at, 2021)
[Image 1 b] Concrete barriers, designed to protect beach, are now partly submerged, showing persistent challenge of coastal erosion and rising waters - (Ahmad Hadi Mohamed Rashidi et al, 2021)
Administrative Response: Steps Toward Recovery
The Port Dickson Municipal Council has begun clearing dangerous debris from the beaches to make the area safer. The Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID), which manages the seawall, has been informed about the risks. Local and state leaders are working together to address the problem, but the community wants faster action. “It’s important to work as a team to stop more damage from happening,” Kent emphasizes.
Actions and Solutions: Hope Through Conservation
Kent is not just watching the coastline retreat; he is actively involved in conservation efforts. He is leading a mangrove planting project to restore the natural defences along the shore. “Mangroves are crucial for protecting the coast from erosion,” he explains. These trees stabilize the soil and provide safe habitats for marine animals.
[Image 2] Kent and his friend sorting out more than 400 mangrove plants that are due to replanting.
[Image 3] To raise awareness about erosion, we can show community the damage firsthand, and engage them in a beach.
In addition, community beach clean-ups have become a regular activity, with volunteers coming together to remove trash and pollutants that harm the coast. Addressing coastal erosion requires a comprehensive approach, combining structural solutions like sea walls and natural defences such as mangroves and artificial reefs. The Malaysian government, along with international organizations, is developing projects to reduce wave impact and restore the coastline. Public education campaigns are also raising awareness among residents and tourists, encouraging them to take part in conservation efforts.
Conclusion: A Call for Global Action
The story of Port Dickson’s shrinking coastline is not just a local issue, it is part of a global challenge. Communities around the world are facing similar struggles with rising sea levels and disappearing shores. But Kent’s efforts, along with the support
of his community, offer hope. “We may not be able to stop the sea from rising, but we can definitely do our part to save what’s left,” he says.
Port Dickson’s experience shows that even small actions can make a big difference. By working together through conservation, education, and sustainable solutions, we can protect our coastlines and ensure they remain beautiful and liveable for future generations.
(951 Words)
Bibliography
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Sofia Ehsan, Rawshan Ara Begum, Nor Ghani Md Nor, and Khairul Nizam Abdul
Maulud, "Current and potential impacts of sea level rise in the coastal areas of
Malaysia," IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science 228 (2019):
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I B Isha, M R M Adib, and M E Daud, "Composition of particle size at Regency
Beach, Port Dickson," IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science 498
(2020): 012070, https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/498/1/012070 -
Isha et al., "Composition of particle size at Regency Beach," 012070.
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Isha et al., "Composition of particle size at Regency Beach," 012070.
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Mohd Amin Jalil, "Parts of collapsed seawall pose danger to Pantai Teluk Kemang
visitors," New Straits Times, January 1, 2022. -
Ahmad Hadi Mohamed Rashidi, Mohamad Hidayat Jamal, Mohamad Zaki Hassan,
Siti Salihah Mohd Sendek, Syazana Lyana Mohd Sopie, and Mohd Radzi Abd
Hamid, "Coastal Structures as Beach Erosion Control and Sea Level Rise
Adaptation in Malaysia: A Review," Water 13, no. 13 (2021): 1741.
[Image 1 – (a) and (b)] Ahmad Hadi Mohamed Rashidi, Mohamad Hidayat Jamal,
Mohamad Zaki Hassan, Siti Salihah Mohd Sendek, Syazana Lyana Mohd Sopie, and
Mohd Radzi Abd Hamid, "Coastal Structures as Beach Erosion Control and Sea
Level Rise Adaptation in Malaysia: A Review," Water 13, no. 13 (2021): 1741.
[Image 2] Photo from Kent
[Image 3] Photograph taken by author’s mother
Soleh Bin Muhammad Syafiq & Nurhannah Najihah binti Mohd Azrul Azwan
SK Sungai Rokam
Appendices
We took this picture at Pantai Port Dickson. Seeing this fallen tree with its roots makes it clear that our beaches are in trouble. It reminds us that we need to do something about erosion and climate change so we don't lose more of our beautiful coastline.
At Pantai Port Dickson, we saw trees falling so close to the fences that it felt like the nature was knocking on people's door! The shoreline is getting closer to homes, and people are really starting to worry. It's a big reminder that we need to protect our beaches and coastlines before it's too late. Let's do our part to keep this beautiful place safe.
Sharing our work with the dedicated Primary 6 students of Sekolah Kebangsaan Sungai Rokam as they engage in a thoughtful discussion about our article, 'The Silent Retreat of Our Shores: Coastal Erosion in Port Dickson'. It's inspiring to see young minds exploring the important issue of coastal erosion and its impact on our environment!
Me and Hannah shared our article, 'The Silent Retreat of Our Shore: Coastal Erosion in Port Dickson', with the Primary 6 students at Sekolah Kebangsaan Sungai Rokam, hoping they'll understand the importance of coastal erosion and feel inspired to take action to protect our beaches.
We visited the Primary 3 students at Sekolah Rendah Agama Rakyat Sungai Rokam to share our article, 'The Silent Retreat of Our Shores: Coastal Erosion in Port Dickson.' We want them to understand how coastal erosion is affecting our beaches and encourage them to be ocean heroes by taking care of our coast.
One effective way to raise community awareness about erosion is to bring them to witness firsthand the damage it causes. Furthermore, while they observe, engaging in a beach clean up can serve as a meaningful additional activity, nurturing a deeper appreciation for nature. On September 9, 2024, Soleh participated in a coastal cleanup at Pantai Teluk Kubur. organized by Kent, removing 183 kg of marine trash.
Profile of the Guest Being Interviewed
Kent is a conservationist who loves marine life. He taught himself all about ocean animals and plants until he became an expert! Kent moved to Port Dickson in 2016, and since then, he has seen how the beaches are eroding, which means they are slowly washing away. He cares a lot about the environment and has helped organize many beach clean-up events. Kent also works on mangrove plantation, which is great for the beach because it helps protect the shore and provides homes for many creatures. He collaborates with local groups to teach people about keeping the ocean clean and safe for animals. Kent wants everyone to help take care of our planet so that future generations can enjoy it too!
Reasons for Interviewing Kent
I chose to interview Kent because he knows a lot about climate change and how it affects marine life. His experience with beach clean-ups and seeing the erosion in Port Dickson helps him understand why it’s important to protect our oceans. Kent also wants to teach others about how to keep the environment safe. I think he is a great person to talk to about climate change because he can share his real-life experiences and ideas that can help our planet.