tun sakaran marine park

Tun Sakaran Marine Park

The Tun Sakaran Marine Park encompasses eight islands and is the largest marine park in Sabah . It is only marine protected area in Sabah to include private land and to cater for various types of resource use not permitted in other marine parks.

Special provisions were included in the Gazette Notice to ensure that people’s rights were guaranteed. These are as follows:

1. All registered grants or titles in all the islands shall be retained and shall not be acquired by the Government.
   
2. The native customary rights which exists in all islands involved is recognised and shall not be disturbed. The claimant of the native customary rights may apply for the land in accordance to section 15 and 16 of the Land Ordinance.
   
3. All existing graveyards areas in all islands shall be retained as Muslim graveyard and shall not be affected by this declaration. The Government shall provide an estimated allocation to fence and maintain the existing graveyard in all islands.
   
4. One representative of heir from each island involved shall be appointed as Trustee of Tun Sakaran Marine Park.
   
5. Every development made in any islands shall involve the title owner or any legally identified claimant of native customary rights in the island and the development made will not cause their land to be acquired, and
   
6. Any form of development made either by an individual or joint venture with a developer shall be referred to Sabah Parks for comment and approval so that it is in accordance to the tourism concept of Sabah Parks.

 

The management aims for the Park are to:

• protect the environment
• safeguard livelihoods
• promote sustainable use of natural resources
• encourage environmentally-sensitive development
• build public awareness about the importance of the Park

Mantabuan reef , with Boheydulang and Bodgaya in the background. © Videographics Productions

Park profile and management priorities
Size geomorphology, population	35,000 ha, comprising 954 ha of land and 34,046 ha of sea and coral reefs. 8 islands: central group are part of an extinct volcano, now inundated by the sea. Largest is Bodgaya (795 ha) with 3 peaks between 455 and 360m high. Outlying islands are low limestone platforms or sand cays. 12 villages; total population 2,061 (1999 census). Main occupations fishing, cultivation and seaweed farming.
Coral reef features	Total extent of reef front (reef rim) is over 100km and the area of reef is 163 km 2 Fringing reefs encircle each of the 8 islands. Also two patch reefs (Church Reef and Kapikan) and one bank reef (Mantabuan Bank; with its top at 10m depth). Reefs extend from sea-level to about 20m depth in the west and 50m+ in the east.
Coral reef biodiversity and noteworthy species	The site is in a global ‘marine biodiversity hotspot’. Research shows higher species diversity than at any other site in Malaysia . Total species recorded includes 544 spp of coral reef fish, 255 spp of hard coral, 70 spp soft coral, 140 spp sponge, 265 spp mollusc, 109 spp echinoderms. Several fish, coral and sponge species have a restricted range and have not been recorded from elsewhere in Sabah . Some are new to science. Refuge for 7 spp of giant clam (Tridacnidae), including the china clam Hippopusporcellanus (small geographical range and new record for Sabah ). Green and hawksbill turtles feed and nest in the area.
Marine conservation and management issues	Serious over-exploitation of fish and other edible species. Few large fish remain. Significant habitat destruction caused by blast fishing. Localised damage from crown-of-thorns starfish. Coral mortality caused by recent coral bleaching events. Threats from land-based pollution from the mainland. Poverty and lack of job opportunities drive unsustainable practices.
Overall management goals	Protect, maintain and enhance biodiversity and the health of the environment. Maximise opportunities for economic development and sustainable resource use. Ensure local people are involved in, and benefit from, the creation of the park. Build community and public awareness about the importance of establishing and maintaining the park.
Zoning scheme	Zones will be introduced to separate potentially conflicting activities. A Pelagic Use/Buffer Zone surrounds the islands and there is a General Use Zone in the more populated western part. Both allow for various sustainable use activities. The Sanctuary Zones are no-take, limited use zones which include the lagoon and outer reefs. Preservation Zones cover a small percentage of the park and are no-take and no-entry, except for limited monitoring and research.
Permits and regulations	Permit needed for entry into the Park, and for all activities and developments. Permit conditions and park regulations will be drawn up in consultation with local communities and other stakeholders. Effectiveness of permits and regulations will be reviewed at regular intervals.
Activities in the Park	Properly managed, sustainable use activities encouraged, including eco-tourism. Alternative livelihoods for fishing communities will be developed, so reducing direct pressure on marine resources. Low impact mariculture and sea ranching of marine invertebrates (e.g. giant clams, abalone, sea cucumbers) is already being developed. Seaweed cultivation will continue in designated areas.
Monitoring and research	Research and monitoring programmes (e.g. for coral reefs, forest, resource-use, socio-economic status) will continue and be expanded. Objectives will be to provide up-to-date information on the condition of the Park, and the impact of human use and management strategies.
Environmental awareness	An environmental awareness and education programme will underpin implementation and development of the Park. Objectives will be to provide inform and entertain, and to ensure that people are familiar with park regulations and the reasons for them.