Kuala Nerus, 6 August 2025 – A researcher from Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) continues to make her mark on the international stage after having discovered a new fish species from the flathead family, known as Rogadius azizahae or its proposed local name, Baji Azizah, in the waters of the South China Sea.

This historic discovery is the fruit of a collaboration between the UMT researcher and her research partner from Japan and has been officially documented in an international scientific journal.

This unique species has been discovered by Dr. Tun Nurul Aimi Mat Jaafar, at depths between 53 to 58 metres in the waters off the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia. The species is the first of its kind discovered in the world.

The species has been given the scientific name azizahae, in honour of the significant contributions of UMT’s principal research fellow, Prof. Dr. Siti Azizah Mohd Nor, a prominent figure in the field of molecular ecology and fish biodiversity conservation in Malaysia.

Baji Azizah is a deep-sea species that is difficult to detect due to its flat body shape and greyish-brown coloration that resembles the sea floor, making it adept at natural camouflage.

“This discovery not only enriches the country’s marine biodiversity but also proves that Malaysia’s waters, particularly in the South China Sea, still hold many biological mysteries yet to be fully explored,” she said.

The fish is small in size, measuring between 10 to 11 centimetres long, with fine dark lines on its pelvic fins and brown tail fins, and translucent white at the centre.

“It differs from similar-looking species based on the shape of small spines on its head and the colour patterns on its fins.”

The discovery has fulfilled the objective of UMT’s main research thrust that focuses on aquatic resource sustainability and national marine biodiversity mapping.

It also reflects UMT’s commitment as Malaysia’s leader in marine and aquatic resource studies in exploring the treasures of the marine ecosystem, which are increasingly threatened by factors such as global warming and human activities.

The discovery of Baji Azizah paves the way for further studies on deep-sea fish communities in Malaysian waters that have yet to be comprehensively explored.

It also lays the foundation for strengthening conservation efforts, enhancing understanding of the marine ecosystem, and reinforcing national fisheries resource management policies.

UMT believes that synergy between scientific research and public awareness is vital to ensure that new species such as this do not go extinct before they are even known.

Therefore, cross-sector collaboration involving marine biologists, the fishing community, government agencies, and the general public will continue to be mobilised.

As a university that places marine and aquatic resources at the core of its expertise, UMT remains committed to being a primary reference centre for exploring, documenting, and conserving Malaysia’s marine treasures, which are priceless natural heritage.

Meanwhile, Prof. Dr. Siti Azizah Mohd Nor, when met, said she was deeply honoured that the fish was named after her.

“I am certainly honoured and delighted because this is an extraordinary discovery, and the efforts of this group of marine life researchers should be praised as they are among the best experts,” she said.

The discovery of this fish species has been recognised by the international body Zootaxa, which published and validated the naming of the new species before its release in the Journal of Fish Biology on 4 August 2025.

The specimen of this new species has been deposited and catalogued at the South China Sea Repository and Reference Centre (RRC), INOS, UMT, for future reference.