Exposed tidal flats surrounded by water, with the Penang Bridge and a wooded island in the distance.

DISCOVER MIDDLE BANK

A world between land and sea.

Locate the bank, explore its habitats, and meet the seagrasses at the heart of this coastal ecosystem.

Image supplied by the project owner

GET YOUR BEARINGS

Explore the Penang Strait

Explore a map adapted from the report’s Figure 5-1, with added landmarks. Toggle the interactive highlights or select a habitat or landmark to read its context.

Middle Bank habitat map with added labels for Karpal Singh Drive, USM, Butterworth ferry terminal and the Penang Bridge, adapted from Figure 5-1.

Map layersWater zonesMudflatsSeagrass beds

These controls toggle interactive highlights. Landmarks, habitat labels and outlines embedded in the supplied image remain visible.

Adapted from Figure 5-1 · 2023 Middle Bank report, p. 9 · landmarks added · original imagery attribution retained ↗

SELECTED PLACE

Seagrass beds

The source labels identify seagrass habitat. The added highlight follows the figure approximately; a new survey would be needed to establish current extent.

Middle Bank mudflats

The source figure labels mudflat areas within the bank. The highlight indicates those mapped features, not a live tidal exposure or a surveyed boundary.

Deep channels

The figure labels deep channels beside the bank. The added water highlight provides orientation; it is not a depth measurement or a navigation chart.

Pulau Gazumbo

The source image labels the island near the bank’s southern seagrass areas, north of the first Penang Bridge. The marker is an approximate orientation point.

First Penang Bridge

The bridge crosses the strait along the lower part of the source image. It provides a recognizable landmark for understanding the bank’s position.

See the evidence

Highlights are manually aligned to Figure 5-1 and approximate. They are not GIS boundaries, depth measurements or navigation aids. The historical report image does not establish today’s conditions.

Aerial view of tree-covered Pulau Gazumbo and exposed tidal flats, with Penang’s eastern waterfront beyond. — Pulau Gazumbo overlooking the eastern coast of Penang. Source: 2023 Middle Bank report, p. 4.Penang Institute / CEMACS · Report page 4 ↗Open full-size image ↓

FLOWERING PLANTS OF THE SEA

Meet the seagrasses

Seven seagrass species are listed in the 2023 institutional baseline. These illustrations show growth forms, not identification keys.

Tape seagrass

Enhalus acoroides

Long, ribbon-like blades create a distinctive vertical habitat.

Spoon seagrass

Halophila ovalis

Small paired oval leaves spread close to the sediment.

Spoon seagrass

Halophila beccarii

A small-leaved member of the reported Halophila community.

Paddle seagrass

Halophila decipiens

Delicate paired leaves form low-growing patches.

Sickle seagrass

Thalassia hemprichii

Strap-like leaves contribute to mixed seagrass communities.

Needle seagrass

Halodule pinifolia

Slender blades give these patches a fine-textured appearance.

Needle seagrass

Halodule uninervis

Another narrow-leaved seagrass reported in the baseline.

Records establish reported occurrence, not present abundance or distribution. Scientific names follow the cited baseline. Source ↗

Why it matters