Destructive fishing activities, unsustainable commercial fishing and encroachment by foreign and local fishing vessels are some of the threats Semporna PCA are facing, on top of the hunting of marine turtles and the poaching of turtle eggs and bycatch. Semporna is experiencing a booming but unsustainable tourism industry which is highly detrimental to the coral reefs and marine life. Lastly, climate change has accelerated the worsening effects of the threats. 

WWF-Malaysia secured funding from the European Union for a four-year project which supported the formal recognition of Indigenous and Community Conserved Areas (ICCAs) in Malaysia through multi-stakeholder engagement and collaborative efforts led by indigenous and local communities. 

Throughout the project, various measures have been made to strengthen the sustainability of community-led initiatives. Furthermore, the continued support of civil society partners, as well as government stakeholders and relevant enforcement agencies will ensure the enduring success of communities’ efforts in strengthening their ICCAs.

For more details, refer to the case study below.