CURRENTS
WWF-Malaysia Marine Programme July — December 2014
TMP Community Conservation Group Mini
Workshop
The Tun Mustapha Park Community Conservation Group (TMPCCG)
is made up of NGOs formed in November 2014. TMPCCG promotes
environmental stewardship and conservation to protect marine and
terrestrial flora and fauna from unsustainable extraction and development within the proposed Tun Mustapha Park (TMP).
The TMPCCG communities come from the district of Kudat, Kota
Marudu and Pitas. Currently there are 8 community groups in this
newly established entity; namely, Banggi Youth Club (BYC), Kudat
Turtle Conservation Society (KTCS), Maliangin Island Community Association (MICA), Persatuan Belia Muda Tigabu (PBMT), Kumpulan
Belia Nelayan Taritipan (KUBENA), Community group of Kg Berungus,
Community group of Matunggong, Community group of Balambangan island.
The group is fully funded by the GEF Small Grants Programme (GEF
SGP), implemented by the United Nations Development Fund and
was established to be the voice or representative of community environmental NGOs from all over the proposed TMP in the Park manA group photo of the two-day workshop participants from
agement committee. In order to identify their vision, mission, strate-
TMPCCG and WWF-Malaysia.
gies, and objectives as well as to draft an operational plan of the
© WWF-Malaysia/Marine Programme
TMPCCG, a strategic planning workshop was held on the 27th and
28th November 2014 at the Kudat Marine Jetty.
In conjunction with this event, the newly established TMPCCG was
introduced to government stakesholders in Kudat through a social
dinner held after the workshop on the 29th November 2014. As a
new community group, TMPCCG shared their activities through
‘Suara Space’, a platform which allows the public to combine their
love for arts and music with environmental conservation efforts.
Top: Halim from Tigabu Island sharing his opinions.
Right: Reviewing TMPCCG's work plan objectives, facilitated by
WWF-Malaysia.
Currents
July — December 2014
Sabah Parks Celebrates Golden Jubilee
Sabah Parks celebrated their 50th anniversary recently with an array of exciting activities held over a period of three days. The festivities
took place from 30th November to 2nd December 2014 in Ranau, Kota Kinabalu to commemorate the agency’s marine conservation efforts and to spur more awareness on Sabah’s underwater wonders amongst the locals. Members of public were treated to cultural performances by local artists, magic shows, sand and balloon art, face painting and karaoke sessions among others. The launch of the Golden
Jubilee was officiated on the second day by Datuk Masidi Manjun, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Sabah, accompanied with
a traditional performance called, ‘Sunduan Do Nunuk Ragang’ – a fitting display of heritage and tribute to the achievements of Sabah
Parks over the last five decades. Five WWF-Malaysia representatives were present at the celebration. To date, Malaysia has 51 Marine
Protected Areas (MPA) and Sabah is on its way towards gazetting more than 10 percent of its waters as marine parks. Sabah Parks manages 4 marine parks with 3 more soon to be gazetted, including the proposed Tun Mustapha Park.
Crowd-pleasers at the Golden Jubilee’s festivities. © WWF-Malaysia/Angela Lim
New chapter for WWF-Malaysia’s Marine Programme
WWF-Malaysia’s marine conservation team was injected with additional doses of fervent drive at the first Marine Programme
retreat held from 13 – 16 October 2014 at Fraser’s Hill, Pahang. The retreat marked the inaugural meet for the marine team
which underwent a recent
restructuring to consolidate
its programmes nationwide.
The objectives of the retreat
include: to better understand how the Marine Programme was designed, what
it is and how it connects to
WWF’s global priorities; to
take stock of lessons learnt
and apply forward to enhance conservation delivery;
to better understand the
various support systems for
programme implementation;
and adaptive management
and to build stronger team
spirit for working together.
WWF-Malaysia’s team is ready to set its sails higher in the area of marine protection and conservation. ©WWF-Malaysia/Marine Programme
Currents
July — December 2014
By-catch and Stranded Marine Mammals Awareness Talk
On 10th January 2014, WWF-Malaysia in collaboration with the Sabah Wildlife Department, the Department of Fisheries Sabah and the
Wildlife Rescue Unit organised an awareness talk on issues regarding stranded marine mammals and catching of non-target species (by
catch). The talk was held at the State Library in Kudat and was attended by 64 participants, mainly local representatives from 5 coastal
communities from Kudat, Banggi Island, Kota Marudu, Pitas and Tigabu Island.
One of the objectives of the awareness talk was to share standard procedures to save stranded and trapped marine mammals. Talks were
presented by the respective agencies on these animals as knowledge of the population, distribution and threats to marine mammals is
still low amongst locals. Dolphins, whales, and dugongs were highlighted. This group of marine mammal species are found in Malaysian
waters, and are protected under the Fisheries Act 1985 and the International Trade in Endangered Species of 2008 (Act 686). The agency
responsible for the management and conservation of these species is the Department of Fisheries Sabah as well as the Sabah Wildlife
Department, the Department of Veterinary Services and Animal Industry.
Moreover, the awareness talk aimed to establish a network among the agencies involved with the members of the local villages. This collaboration is pivotal, especially when there are incidences of stranding, as nearby communities are frequently unsure of the best ways to
save these mammals. Therefore, it is necessary to provide training to relevant stakeholders on best practices when encountered with similar cases. Participants of the talk were briefed on the emergency assistance protocol to equip them with rapid and effective measures to
rescue life of stranded or trapped marine mammals.
Stranding of marine mammals such as dolphins, whales and dugongs often occur on the coast of Sabah and Sarawak. In addition, there
are several incidents in which non-target marine species (such as turtles and Whale Shark) were found dead in fishing nets. In addition,
the real threats to the populations of marine mammals come from illegal hunting, fishing and catching, illness and the loss of marine habitats such as sea grass. Marine mammals are also growing slow and the slow breeding rate makes these animals more vulnerable to extinction.
©
Participants of the awareness talk. © WWF-Malaysia/Marine Programme
Currents
July — December 2014
Journeys of WWF-Malaysia’s tracked marine turtles
After carrying out satellite telemetry research on nesting turtles in Melaka, WWF-Malaysia has compiled captivating turtle tracking data spanning over 7 years about these ancient marines into the State of the Worlds Sea Turtles (SWOT). Melaka’s satellite tracking studies started in 2006 and ended in 2013 with a total of 15 adult Hawksbill turtles tracked during that period. The study
aimed to establish the migration route and feeding
ground of the hawksbills to facilitate the protection
of their marine habitat.
Satellite telemetry allows researchers to track sea
marine turtles in the open ocean by attaching a
Platform Transmitter Terminal (PTT) to the shell of
a turtle. The PTT transmits signals to an orbiting
satellite each time the turtle surfaces for air. The
satellite sends the data on to a receiving station on
earth that researchers can access on their computers.
During nesting season that occurs from the
Terendak Queen with a satellite transmitter taken on 13 August 2008
at Kem Terendak. © WWF-Malaysia/Marine Programme
months of March to October, healthy nesting female Hawksbills were selected for the satellite te-
lemetry study. The satellite transmitters were deployed at a few key nesting beaches across Melaka
mainly Pulau Upeh, Padang Kemunting, Kem Terendak, Tanjung Dahan and Meriam Patah. Interestingly,
all of the results indicate that Melaka's Hawksbill turtles migrate from Melaka’s beaches towards south of
Singapore, around the region known as Riau Archipelago, Indonesia.
Movement of sea turtles around Melaka and the South China
Sea. (From http://seamap.env.duke.edu/swot)
The hawksbill that WWF-Malaysia tracked for the
longest time was the regal Princess Mariam (4 August 2012 at Meriam Patah) over a duration of 404
days! Her satellite transmitter ceased to send data on
12th September 2013. We hope that Princess Mariam and WWF-Malaysia’s alumni of marine luminaries
continue on their journey in our waters and beyond.
WWF-Malaysia’s field biologists in Melaka, Ooi Ying Cheing
(left) and Nurul Bariyah (right) attaching a satellite transmitter on Princess Mariam. © WWF-Malaysia/Lau Min Min
Currents
July — December 2014
State Government of Sabah’s Commitment at the World Parks Congress 2014
The World Parks Congress (WPC) 2014 held from
November 12 -19 in Sydney, Australia concluded with
a collective promise to invigorate efforts, inspire new
stakeholders and invest in marine and terrestrial
parks. Held once every 10 years by the International
Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN),
the meeting saw commitments to 140 million hectares of new protected areas made and over US$500
million in conservation funding for management of
these parks was also announced at WWF’s event.
Marco Lambertini, Director General of WWF InternaMarco Lambertini, Director General of WWF International (far left) with
YM Dato’ Seri Tengku Zainal Adlin, Chairman of Board Sabah Parks
(centre) and WWF-Malaysia Executive Director/CEO Dato’ Dr. Dionysius
Sharma at the World Parks Congress 2014. © Sabah Parks / Dr Maklarin
Lakim
tional stated that there needs to be a much stronger
focus and intensified efforts to secure protected and
sustainably-managed marine habitats, which are lagging behind despite their huge importance for biodiversity and people.
Earlier in the conference, Malaysia committed to gazette close to a million hectares of ocean in the state of Sabah by 2015
through the proposed Tun Mustapha Park. YM Dato’ Seri
Tengku Zainal Adlin, Chairman of Board Sabah Parks delivered a speech at the event outlining Sabah Parks’ and the
Sabah state government’s aspirations for the effective management of the proposed Tun Mustapha Park (TMP). In 2003,
the TMP was proposed by the State Government of Sabah
shortly after it was recognized as a globally significant priority
marine conservation area. The TMP will be the country’s first
multiple-use marine park and protect close to 1 million hectares of coral reef, mangrove, seagrass and productive fishing
grounds in over 50 islands. Over 80,000 coastal and island
residents of TMP rely on fishing for their livelihood.
Above: World Parks Congress (WPC) 2014 in Sydney, Australia.
Left: WWF-Malaysia and Sabah Parks representatives at the
Coral Triangle Initiative Side Event at the WPC—Celebrating
Achievements in the Coral Triangle.
© WWF-Malaysia/Angela Lim
WWF-Malaysia staff, Robecca Jumin and Angela Lim from
the Marine Programme and Sabah Parks representatives, Ludi Apin and Augustine Binson attended the WPC
participated in various workshops and programmes, including the ‘Establishing Advocacy Boot Camp’ and ‘Marine Protected Area Sustainable Finance Training’ both hosted by
WWF-Netherlands.
Currents
July — December 2014
TMP community conservation
efforts receive boost in funding
A step closer in realising WWF-Malaysia’s goal in
preserving the biodiversity of the Tun Mustapha
Park (TMP), WWF-Malaysia received funding in September 2014 from the Global Environment Facility
Small Grants Programme (GEF SGP). The funding
will help achieve the community-led programme in
three demo sites which targets to build capacity and
empower local communities and stakeholders to
conduct patrolling and collaborative enforcement,
promote environmental stewardship, and develop
conservation enterprise linked to resource management in the TMP. Specifically, the objectives of the
Participants of WWF-Malaysia’s Inception Workshop held in Kudat. ©WWFMalaysia/Marine Programme
GEF SGP project will focus on key pilot sites to
demonstrate the benefits of Marine Protected
Areas (MPA); all parties will work together towards
achieving the long-term goal in preserving the
biodiversity of the TMP.
The funds from the GEF SGP will be in support of
three key sites under WWF-Malaysia’s project in
Tigabu Island in Kudat, Kampung Batu Siri on Balambangan Island, and Kampung Taritipan in Kota
Marudu. The three demo sites and existing areas,
such as Maliangin Island and Berungus, can potentially form a network for information sharing
among community groups in TMP; which in turn
can be a model for community co-management in
TMP.
With regards to this, WWF-Malaysia organised an
Inception Workshop to share objectives, expected
Top: Head village of Tigabu Island expresses his opinions during group discussions with the communities.
Below: Participants on the way to Tigabu Island’s fish farm.
©WWF-Malaysia/Marine Programme
outcomes, strategic approaches, and develop detailed activities and a work plan for the GEF SGP
funded conservation programme. The full-day
workshop was held on 10th September 2014 in
Kudat for representatives from WWF-Malaysia,
government agencies such as from Sabah Parks,
Department of Fisheries, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency, community based organisations and NGOs and community members of the
identified demonstration sites.
Additionally, participants of the workshop had the
opportunity to partake in a field site visit to Tigabu
Island, located approximately 72km off Kudat. The
whole day activity involved a four-hour boat trip,
site familiarisation, an opportunity to meet the
head village of Tigabu Island and a visit to their sea
cucumber and fish farms.
Currents
July — December 2014
Socialising TMP gazettement with Taritipan
WWF-Malaysia signs MOU with Aquagrow
villagers
to improve aquaculture practices
On 3rd November 2014, WWF-Malaysia and Aquagrow Corporation Sdn Bhd entered into a collaboration aimed to steer
Aquagrow’s aquaculture practices towards a more sustainable path. As part of this agreement, a gap analysis will be
carried out in February 2015 on Aquagrow’s finfish production that will determine the improvement needed. The gap
analysis will also establish a standard assessment template for
species that currently do not have the criteria for improvement, such as marine fish like groupers and sea bass.
Aquagrow operates two world-class, fully integrated marine
Participants of the introductory programme. ©WWF-Malaysia/
Marine Programme
Recognising the need for active community participation in the management of the proposed Tun Mustapha Park (TMP), an introductory
programme on WWF-Malaysia’s projects in the TMP areas of Balam-
finfish aquaculture facilities in Langkawi Island, Kedah and
Perhentian Island, Terengganu. The MOU signifies their commitment to achieve their vision of being the largest producer
of sustainable marine fish from aquaculture and fisheries in
the region by 2020.
bangan, Tigabu and Taritipan was organised. The first stop of the programme which hopes to establish rapport with local stakeholders and
provide a clearer picture on WWF-Malaysia’s marine initiatives, specifically on TMP, was held at Taritipan village in Kota Marudu on 6th December 2014.
The visit facilitated a dialogue between the Taritipan community and
WWF-Malaysia as well as the partners present to address concerns
and queries regarding the gazettement of TMP. Agencies such as Sabah Parks and the Forestry Department delivered presentations which
aimed to increase environmental awareness amongst the locals. Additionally, the programme enabled WWF-Malaysia to socialise aspects of
the gazettement work including funding and activities that will be carried out under the marine protected area umbrella such as biodiversity
assessment, patrolling, youth consultation and livelihood programs.
Activities such as a Drawing & Painting Competition for children and a
Executive Director/CEO of WWF-Malaysia Dato’ Dr Dionysius
Sharma (second from left) shakes hands with CEO of
Aquagrow Corporation Sdn Bhd, Mohamed Razali Mohamed
at the signing ceremony. ©WWF-Malaysia/Rahana Husin
baking competition for the women were organised to expose the locals on the area’s rich marine life through a fun and meaningful approach.
Women of Taritipan participate in crafting marine mammals
out of dough. ©WWF-Malaysia/Marine Programme
The MOU will bring Aquagrow a step closer to producing
certified sustainable premium marine fish for the consumers. ©WWF-Malaysia/Rahana Husin
Currents
July — December 2014
Tigabu At Its Best
some of our homes – if you’re lucky, you might be able
“Tigabu is a beautiful island,” says Encik Amir bin Hassan, village head of this tiny
Tigabu definitely has a lot to offer. Visitors can enjoy
to spot them,” Mr Hassan continues.
island in the eastern-most corner of the proposed Tun Mustapha Park (TMP).
“Visitors often give compliments on how gorgeous it is.”
the clear seas, dive the reefs or swim among the mangroves, take a mini hike to the other side of the island,
Encik Amir has been village head of Tigabu for about 20 years. He first came to
appreciate the gorgeous waterfall, help with the sea
the island in the ’80s, met his future wife and has never looked back. He has
cucumber farms, visit and feed the fish in the fish farm,
grown a deep
and indulge in a delicious meal at a restaurant with a
fondness for the
beautiful view of the
island and treats
sea.
everyone on it as
his own family.
“The treasures of
the
proposed
TMP lie not only
in its beauty but
also in the seafood it provides
for the communities living with-
The jetty at Tigabu Island. ©WWF-Malaysia/Kimberly Chung
in the area, eco-tourism opportunities, and activities such as fish and sea cucumber farms,” Encik Amir says.
“We are blessed with natural treasures in our coral reefs and sea turtles that we
believe are potential tourism attractions and need to be protected so tourism
can come to the island. However, the current situations in which corals are used
for the sea cucumber farms are unfortunately affecting our coral reefs and sea
turtles. Here in Tigabu, we want sustainable eco-tourism and would like to work
with WWF-Malaysia and government agencies like Sabah Parks to achieve that,”
continues Encik Amir.
The residents of Tigabu realise the island is their responsibility, so they constantly patrol around the island for unsustainable activities. They want to keep doing
their part for their environment and keep themselves updated with new methods to conserve their beautiful island.
Every turn on the island is a photo waiting
to be captured.
“We welcome WWFMalaysia’s guidance to
ensure that any form
of livelihood is developed in a sustainable
manner.”
Encik Amir says, “We
believe that humans should live in
harmony with na-
Amir bin Hassan, Village Head
of Tigabu Island. ©WWFMalaysia/Joannie Jomitol
ture and we look
forward working with the team in WWF-Malaysia to
help us achieve that.”
Editorial Team
Contributors:
Nadiah Rosli,
Kimberly Chung
Editor:
Angela Lim
Advisor:
Monique Sumampouw
Robecca Jumin
They are now learning that keeping sea cucumber farms can be done in sustainable
For more information, please contact:
ways and that participating in sustainable
Angela Lim
livelihood programmes will not impact their
Communications and Campaigns Manager
lives negatively and will help the environment tremendously at the same time.
Marine Programme
Email: alim@wwf.org.my
“We are keen to promote the uniqueness
found here. We are especially proud of our
WWF-Malaysia
waterfall, sea cucumber and fish farms, and
1 Jalan PJS 5/28A, Petaling Jaya Commercial Centre
(PJCC), 46150
mangrove trees. Sometimes, turtles come on
shore and lay their eggs. Our houses are
A home-style lunch feast prepared by the restaurant cook
on Tigabu Island. ©WWFMalaysia/Kimberly Chung
built on stilts so turtles lay eggs right underneath.
Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
Tel: +603 7450 3773