21 November 2024, Kudat: For Jamalah, fishing in Inaruntung feels a lot different than it was when he was a young boy on a rippling boat, watching his father throw his net over the clear blue waters of Kudat decades ago. Like most Inaruntung men, Jamalah came from a long line of artisanal fishers and had felt the impact of declining fishing stock. Inaruntung Village is one of the many villages located within Tun Mustapha Park (TMP), a marine protected area known for its diverse range of biologically complex marine life. It serves as an important fishery for food security and local livelihood. Due to the rich biodiversity of marine life, the fishing industry is embedded in communities in TMP, both culturally and economically. 
 

 

Ocean Under Threat
 

Reef fishes are vital in supporting local economics, as they generate income, particularly for small-scale fishers. Fishers tend to catch highly sought-after and valued species such as groupers, jacks, trevallies, and snappers. Often, they either sell their catch at the wet market or to surrounding restaurants. In 2011, the value of fisheries in TMP was estimated to be RM561 million, which includes the yield from the highly lucrative live reef fish trade. The diverse marine fauna has unfortunately increased TMP’s vulnerability towards disruptive fishing practices, such overfishing involving commercial fishing, and illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing methods involving dynamite and cyanide as well as incidental catching of threatened species.

Consequently, the sustainability of TMP’s reef fisheries is shrouded in uncertainty, and susceptible to a slew of other threats, including habitat deterioration, and climate change. Research paints a stark picture for the future of TMP’s fisheries industry: a potential decline of demersal fish stock. In the near future, we could see our fish populations significantly deteriorate, and TMP’s waters could no longer sustain the increasing seafood consumption.

Fisheries Improvement Project (FIP)
 

Quick action is needed, leading to the creation of the Fisheries Improvement Project (FIP). This collaborative effort sought to make use of science-based management approaches, encourage stakeholder involvement, and empower local communities in sustainable fisheries management. In 2019, the TMP Reef Fishes FIP project was successfully launched. 

The heart of the FIP is the collaboration between community and government agencies. Communities, as citizen scientists, are entrusted with the duty of marine stewardship to support the safeguarding of the ocean within TMP. Communities play a crucial role in the success of Reef Fisheries FIP in TMP, but it’s also important to highlight the significance of government partnerships, particularly in the effective management of fisheries, and collaborative enforcement efforts.

Photo 2: Jamalah measuring the fishes during the monitoring © Marine Programme / WWF-Malaysia

Jamalah draws attention to the importance of FIP tackling urgent fisheries concerns, such as the encroachments of negative commercial fishing techniques. He also expresses optimism that the collaborative work channelled into the FIP would lead to positive outcomes, securing the long-term availability of fisheries resources for future generation of fishers, including his own grandchildren. 

“This project involves multi-stakeholders’ efforts, for instance, the government, the private sector, and the coastal communities. Here in Inaruntung, we also participated in developing the FIP plan,” Jamalah explains. “Each stakeholder, such as the government and the communities, have their own responsibilities to lessen the fishery challenges.” He has taken the mantle to be an advocate for FIP in his beloved village, and hopes others will follow suit.  

FIP’s Wins
 

This project has made significant progress over the past five years, achieving a 315% increase in its sustainability score - from 0.18 to 0.75, out of a maximum score of 1. Since the implementation of FIP, frequent patrolling has led to reduced incidences of fish blasting, healthier coral reefs, and better marine ecosystem, overall an improvement to TMP’s fisheries. FIP strengthens and elevates the existing governance to a higher standard, by emphasising on clear transparent management practices based on scientific research with input from various stakeholders. 
 

 

Next Steps for The Future
 

Everyone, from community members to scientists, and even government agencies, is essential in Reef Fishes FIP. Safeguarding our fisheries isn’t just about ensuring a sustainable seafood supply, it’s about nurturing thriving ecosystems that can sustain our planet for generations to come. Jamalah’s memories should not be an untouchable past, but a future of flourishing fishes and vibrant coral reefs that continually be present for our future generations. 
 

 

About WWF-Malaysia

World Wide Fund for Nature Malaysia (WWF-Malaysia) was established in 1972 and is part of World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), the international conservation organisation. Working to sustain the natural world for the benefit of people and nature, WWF-Malaysia’s efforts to conserve nature focus on six major themes: forests, oceans, wildlife, food, climate and energy, as well as freshwater. Our mission is to stop the degradation of the earth’s natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature.

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