Gamat Legacy

The Gamat Legacy also known as (Sea Cucumber Production Game) is a strategy and simulation game where players manage a network of sea cucumber hatcheries. The objective is to maximize profit by optimizing the number of hatcheries they can establish, maintain, and grow across different locations while considering realistic biological, environmental, and economic constraints. The game uses a robust mathematical optimization model to simulate strategic decision-making. 

 The sea cucumber species (S. fussiformiossa), or locally known as Gamat, was overfished to a point of extinction in Pulau Langkawi in 1996 for its traditional use in medicinal products, which played a vital role in supporting the livelihoods of local coastal communities. In response, the team at CEMACS has been working to restore the population through in-vitro fertilization under controlled laboratory conditions. Using broodstock collected from Pulau Pangkor, they have successfully produced juvenile sea cucumbers. The next crucial step is ensuring their healthy growth so they can be reintroduced to Langkawi, helping to revive the species. The game Gamat Legacy is inspired by real-world efforts to conserve the endangered sea cucumber species, where it reflects the challenges faced by local communities who relied on Gamat for their livelihood, while also addressing the environmental threats caused by unsustainable fishing practices.