Issues

Coming and going – fish, locals and visitors

Semporna is an area with many complex ecological and socioeconomic interactions.  Its proximity to both the Philippines and Indonesia poses specific challenges to conservation and natural resource management.  Tawau and Kunak (south and north, respectively) are two of the biggest fish landing ports in Sabah.  Semporna is one of the major centres of the live reef fish trade in Sabah.  Destructive fishing remains an ongoing issue with persistent bomb and cyanide fishing in the area.  SCUBA diving and dive tourism have become major draws to the Semporna area, mostly based on the presence of Sipadan Island.  All of these issues pose significant conservation challenges and opportunities.  Adding to this complexity is a tradition and history of immigration and emigration from island to island.  This history is still clearly evident, particularly through the presence of the nomadic Bajau Laut people.