Kudat - Banggi Prority Area

New park at the northernmost tip of Borneo

The Kudat-Banggi Priority Conservation Area features the rich and productive waters off the northernmost tip of the island of Borneo.  It was declared globally significant for its rich mix of habitats (coral reefs, seagrasses, mangroves, and open sea), endangered species such as dugong and sea turtles, and its fisheries.  Kudat-Banggi forms the southern half of the Balabac Straits separating Borneo from Palawan, Philippines and joins the Sulu Sea to the South China Sea.  The straits are an important passage for oceanic fish, whale sharks and sea turtles. This area is home to the second largest concentration of coral reefs in Malaysia.  

The Sabah State Government proposed the area for gazettement as the Tun Mustapha Park under the jurisdiction of Sabah Parks.  When gazetted, it will be the largest marine protected area in Malaysia and one of the largest in Southeast Asia at over 1 million hectares.  WWF-Malaysia is assisting the state government to create the Tun Mustapha Park as a multiple-use marine area.  

WWF-Malaysia concentrates on building support for the park amongst stakeholders.  The estimated 80,000 people of various ethnic origins living in and around the proposed park earn their livelihoods from the areas’ resources.  WWF-Malaysia believes that these people must benefit from the park and vice versa.  The park should enhance livelihoods and access to resources while stakeholders, inhabitants and visitors should cooperate with relevant agencies in park management.

WWF-Malaysia is working with Sabah Parks to raise awareness of local communities throughout the park on its benefits.  We visit more than 50 villages to collect information on resource use such as fishing and collection of invertebrates, to inform the design of zones for conservation, traditional fishing, commercial fishing, tourism and others.

Support can best be gained by demonstrating the benefits of the park.  Marine protected areas the world over have shown quick and efficient increase in numbers and diversity of fish.  WWF-Malaysia is working with local communities, Sabah Parks and the Department of Fisheries Sabah on a demonstration “no-take” zone to be managed and enforced in partnership with neighbouring communities.  

WWF-Malaysia operates the Banggi Environmental Awareness Centre in Karakit, the largest town on Banggi Island.  This educational and information centre showcases the environment and marine resources for the people of Pulau Banggi, Pulau Balambangan and Pulau Malawali.  Regular programmes are held for school children and adults while at other times, it serves as a museum about Pulau Banggi.