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Semporna Islands project
Community action for marine park success
The ‘Semporna Islands Project’ was launched by MCS, Sabah Parks and other partners in 1998 with a mission to protect one of the most important coral reef areas in Malaysia. It has been a notable success, with the 350km2 Tun Sakaran Marine Park being established in 2004. This Park is not only the largest Marine Protected Area in Malaysia, but it is also the only one where the local community has been involved from the beginning in planning and decision-making.
But even though much has been achieved, there are many challenges ahead. It will take years for the conservation management plan to become established and make a real difference. The reefs have been seriously over-exploited for decades and also badly damaged by ‘blast fishing’; it takes time to get people to change their ways.
Currently, MCS is working with Sabah Parks and local communities to encourage a move away from reef fishing towards tourism and other environmentally-friendly livelihoods. Once this happens, then the reefs will have a chance to recover. We also have an extensive marine and reef education and awareness programme running under the project which is reaching out to schoolchildren, local communities, fishermen and the general public.
The Semporna Islands Project was initially supported through the European Community Global Environment Fund and since then has been funded mainly through the Darwin Initiative (Defra, UK).
For more information go to www.sempornaislandsproject.com
