COMMUNITY BASED RESOURCE MANAGEMENT AND CONSERVATION OF MARINE BIODIVERSITY IN THE PROPOSED TUN MUSTAPHA PARK, SABAH, MALAYSIA.
WWF-Malaysia is implementing a conservation programme in Kudat, in the northern part of Sabah, Malaysia, to support the government initiative to gazette the proposed Tun Mustapha Park (TMP). Once fully gazetted, TMP will be the largest marine protected area in Malaysia (and second largest in Southeast-Asia). It is the first multiple use park in Sabah, based on multiple zoning system and will be managed using a multi-stakeholder collaborative management mechanism. TMP is a priority conservation area for the Sulu Sulawesi Marine Ecoregion Programme of Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines, as well as an integration site for biodiversity conservation, and fisheries management using the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM) and climate change adaptation under the Coral Triangle Initiative for Coral reefs, Fisheries and Food security (CTI-CFF). As part of the Coral Triangle, TMP has a high biodiversity and rich natural resources providing livelihood and food sources for more than 80,000 people within and outside of its boundary. However, the rich biodiversity and these natural resources are under threat from habitat loss due to destructive fishing methods (including fishing using bomb and cyanide poison), and overfishing due to over-capacity and non-selective fishing gears.
The project proposed below is focusing on replication of this work on three new demonstration sites, at Tigabu (Kudat), Balambangan (Kudat) and Taritipan (Kota Marudu).
Specifically, the objectives are:
i) to build capacity and empower local communities and stakeholders to conduct patrolling and collaborative enforcement,
ii) to promote environmental stewardship,
iii) to develop conservation enterprise linked to resource management, and
iv) to build capacity for Implementation of Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM).
The specific outcomes are:
1. By June 2016, TMP is effectively protected through regular patrols (HWW 12days/month, Enforcement agencies -2 days/month) with a proper patrolling record set up jointly with the community and enforcement agencies and the reef status at all 4 demonstration sites improve from fair to good condition.
2. By 2016, at least five local associations and community groups are conducting conservation activities and support the gazettment of TMP.
3. By 2016, 50 community members from all 5 demonstration sites participate in livelihood programme that contribute to conservation.
4. By 2020, fisheries in TMP is managed based on the ecosystem approach.
5. By 2016, assessment tool is developed to assess the implementation of EAFM in TMP.
Description of Project Activities
This project will have four major objectives:
1. To build capacity and empower local communities and stakeholders to conduct patrolling and collaborative enforcement
2. To promote environmental stewardship
3. To develop conservation enterprise linked to resource management
4. To build capacity for Implementation of Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM)
The project proposed below is focusing on replication of this work on three new demonstration sites, at Tigabu (Kudat), Balambangan (Kudat) and Taritipan (Kota Marudu).
Specifically, the objectives are:
i) to build capacity and empower local communities and stakeholders to conduct patrolling and collaborative enforcement,
ii) to promote environmental stewardship,
iii) to develop conservation enterprise linked to resource management, and
iv) to build capacity for Implementation of Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM).
The specific outcomes are:
1. By June 2016, TMP is effectively protected through regular patrols (HWW 12days/month, Enforcement agencies -2 days/month) with a proper patrolling record set up jointly with the community and enforcement agencies and the reef status at all 4 demonstration sites improve from fair to good condition.
2. By 2016, at least five local associations and community groups are conducting conservation activities and support the gazettment of TMP.
3. By 2016, 50 community members from all 5 demonstration sites participate in livelihood programme that contribute to conservation.
4. By 2020, fisheries in TMP is managed based on the ecosystem approach.
5. By 2016, assessment tool is developed to assess the implementation of EAFM in TMP.
Description of Project Activities
This project will have four major objectives:
1. To build capacity and empower local communities and stakeholders to conduct patrolling and collaborative enforcement
2. To promote environmental stewardship
3. To develop conservation enterprise linked to resource management
4. To build capacity for Implementation of Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM)
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Project Snapshot
Grantee:
World Wide Fund for Nature Malaysia - Borneo Malaysia Programme
Country:
Malaysia
Area Of Work:
International Waters
Grant Amount:
US$ 149,259.00
Co-Financing Cash:
Co-Financing in-Kind:
US$ 451,598.00
Project Number:
MAL/SGP/OP5/Y3/SP/STAR/IW/14/02
Status:
Satisfactorily Completed
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Project Characteristics and Results
Emphasis on Sustainable Livelihoods
The original household within the TMP, among our target group is based on the income generated by the fishermen. With depletion of fish stocks, this dependency has led to poverty and uncertainty for the coastal and island communities.
The sustainable resource use will ensure their long-term livelihood. The zoning system of the proposed TMP will ensure that small-scale fishermen can continue their traditional fishing activities, while women can ease the pressure on their husbands by generating additional or alternative income through conservation enterprise. Handicraft already exists as alternative livelihood established by WWF-Malaysia and MICA. More and more women are realizing the benefit of weaving, they are practicing a traditional activity, that they can easily improve with the support of WWF-Malaysia, and benefit from it.
Notable Community Participation
The success of TMP, to a large extent, will depend on the support of the stakeholders within and beyond the boundary of TMP. Active participation and involvement of stakeholders in the process of gazettement and later on in the management of the park once legally gazetted is critical in ensuring the success and effective management. Participation of stakeholders will also encourage compliance to plans and regulations that are being developed for the park.
The past 6 years, WWF-Malaysia facilitated or assisted in the establishment of local community groups within TMP including the Maliangin Island Community Association (MICA), Banggi Youth Club (BYC), the Kudat Turtle Conservation Society (KTCS) and the Kudat Fishing Boat Owner Association /Pemilik Kapal Nelayan Kudat/ (PPKNK).These stakeholders have been involved in the designing process of the zoning plan of the proposed park, where local knowledge was an important base. Community members are also involved in the Interim Steering Community, their endorsement for the process is crucial. WWF-Malaysia will continue to work with these organisations and initiate partnerships with other community groups.
This project aims to establish 3 more demonstration sites that support TMP gazettement, where local youth are being involved and WWF-Malaysia is encouraging establishment of community based organizations.