Atmospheric concentrations of very short-lived species (VSLS) bromocarbons, including CHBr 3 , CH 2 Br 2 , CHCl 2 Br, CHClBr 2 , and CH 2 BrCl, were measured in the Strait of Malacca and the South China and Sulu–Sulawesi seas during a two-month research cruise in June–July 2009. The highest bromocarbon concentrations were found in the Strait of Malacca, with smaller enhancements in coastal regions of northern Borneo. CHBr 3 was the most abundant bromocarbon, ranging from 5.2 pmol mol −1 in the Strait of Malacca to 0.94 pmol mol −1 over the open ocean. Other bromocarbons showed lower concentrations, in the range of 0.8–1.3 pmol mol −1 for CH 2 Br 2 , 0.1–0.5 pmol mol −1 for CHCl 2 Br, and 0.1–0.4 pmol mol −1 for CHClBr 2 . There was no significant correlation between bromocarbons and in situ chlorophyll a , but positive correlations with both MODIS and SeaWiFS satellite chlorophyll a . Together, the short-lived bromocarbons contribute an average of 8.9 pmol mol −1 (range 5.2–21.4 pmol mol −1 ) to tropospheric bromine loading, which is similar to that found in previous studies from global sampling networks (Montzka et al., 2011). Statistical tests showed strong Spearman correlations between brominated compounds, suggesting a common source. Log–log plots of CHBr 3 /CH 2 Br 2 versus CHBr 2 Cl/CH 2 Br 2 show that both chemical reactions and dilution into the background atmosphere contribute to the composition of these halocarbons at each sampling point. We have used the correlation to make a crude estimate of the regional emissions of CHBr 3 and to derive a value of 32 Gg yr −1 for the Southeast (SE) Asian region (10° N–20° S, 90–150° E). Finally, we note that satellite-derived chlorophyll a (chl a ) products do not always agree well with in situ measurements, particularly in coastal regions of high turbidity, meaning that satellite chl a may not always be a good proxy for marine productivity.