National Fish and Wildlife foundation Final Programmatic Report Project name and number: Enforcement and Education Outreach in Malaysia (2007-083-018) Recipient Organization/Agency: Reef Guardian Sdn Bhd Recipient Contact: +60-89-675999 Recipient Email:
[email protected] Recipient Phone: +60-89-234000 Recipient Web Address: www.reef-guardian.org 1) Summary Project was to enforce a 46, 317 hectare marine conservation area in Sulu Sea in collaboration with state and federal agencies, and raise marine conservation awareness through community outreach. 2) Introduction Reef Guardian’s long term goal is to have healthier, more resilient coral reef communities within Sugud Islands Marine conservation Area (SIMCA), and aims to achieve this by strengthening its enforcement and education capabilities. This project is designed at a localized scale, as all activities will be carried out within SIMCA or in the immediate region (Sandakan), and conservation outcomes will directly impact the coral reef environment of SIMCA. Trawling and dynamite fishing are two fishing methods which are widely known to cause direct damage to coral reef habitat, and is one of the primary conservation needs to be addressed. Enforcement of illegal fishing is a key component of the Wildlife Conservation Enactment 1997, and combating against illegal entry of fishing vessels (mainly trawlers) and dynamite fishing has been a major challenge in protecting the integrity of SIMCA’s coral reef ecosystems. Sea patrols of SIMCA have been carried out since 2005 to enforce SIMCA boundaries and to eliminate destructive fishing methods. These patrols have successfully prevented some illegal intrusions and dynamite fishing. However, a substantial number of illegal entrants are not being stopped or apprehended due to a shortage of Reef Guardian personnel to carry out more frequent sea patrols.