Over 350 cases of Malaysian marine park encroachment in six years

The Star 30 Jun 10;

ALOR SETAR: Some 352 encroachment cases by fishermen at marine parks in Terengganu, Pahang, Johor and Kedah were recorded between 2003 and 2009.

Marine Park Department director-general Abd Jamal Mydin said the most encroachment cases were recorded in Pahang’s Pulau Tioman Marine Park with 144 cases followed by Pulau Payar in Kedah (85), Pulau Tinggi in Johor (66) and Pulau Redang in Terengganu (57).

“Most of these cases involved trawlers and purse seine boats.

“These vessels not only deplete the fish stocks but also destroy corals.

“In Kedah alone, the department recorded 10 encroachment cases in Pulau Payar Marine park between January and May,” he told newsmen after opening a meeting between the department and Kedah fishermen yesterday.

Abd Jamal said his department had deployed 21 boats to patrol all the 42 marine parks nationwide and they are also working closely with related agencies such as the Malay­sian Maritime Enforcement Agency and Fisheries Department to curb such encroachment.

On a similar note, he said that the department had identified several islands to be turned into marine parks.

“At the moment, there is only Pulau Payar Marine Park in the west coast of the peninsular.

“Teams have been sent to survey several islands in Perak, Negri Sembilan and Malacca.

“A marine park, besides being a tourist attraction, will also promote the development of fisheries’ resources in the area,” he said.