Coral Triangle Initiative

The Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries and Food Security (CTI-CFF)
is a multilateral partnership of six countries formed in 2007 to address the urgent
threats facing the coastal and marine resources of one of the most biologically diverse
and ecologically rich regions on earth. The National Oceanography Directorate (NOD)
under the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) serves as the
focal point and the National Secretariat of the Malaysia CTI-CFF National
Coordination Committee (NCC). Its members include both representatives from
various federal.

At the state level, the members include the Sabah State Government Office
comprising Chief Minister Department, Sabah Federal Secretarys Office, Sabah
Economic Planning Unit, the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment and the
Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry. NOD has also mobilized inter-agency
working groups that include non-government organizations, universities and
environmental agencies in Sabah.

The Malaysia CTI-CFF National Plan Action focuses on the development and
implementation of innovative management approaches to overcome climate change
risks and overexploitation of marine resources that could spur new sources of growth
for our livelihood. It embodies 12 guiding principles representing Malaysias
commitments in various treaties, policies and declaration commitments in
international forums and contains 134 specific actions that will directly contribute to
achievement of five goals of the CTI-CFF Regional Plan of Action.

Sabah Parks has been tasked to form an Interim Steering Committee for the one
million hectare area in the northern part (Kudat, Marudu and Pitas, including 50
islands) of Sabah to propose as a park. The committee and its six working groups will
work towards an integrated management plan to achieve the three objectives of the
proposed TMP, and outlining the implementation of a multiple use park that is
managed through a collaborate management approach.

The three objectives are;

1. To conserve biodiversity
2. To ensure sustainable development
3. To alleviate poverty in the proposed park.






The Marine Conservation Society (MCS) has been working with Sabah Parks
on the Semporna Islands Project (SIP) since 1998, with the aim of protecting
the outstanding marine biodiversity in the Semporna area and ensuring a
better future for the islands and reefs and the people who depend on them.

The first milestone was reached in 2004, with the establishment of the Tun
Sakaran Marine Park. This is Malaysias largest marine park, situated off the
southeast coast of Sabah and covering 340km2 of sea and coral reefs, 10km2
of land and 8 islands.

Darwin Initiative post-project funding awarded in 2009 is now enabling MCS
to continue to work with Sabah Parks for a further 2-year period on Capacity
building to enhance Marine Protected Area effectiveness. This current phase
of SIDP is concentrating on enhancing understanding and awareness of
marine biodiversity and the benefits of MPA management. Also, working
with local communities to promote alternative livelihoods that will help take
pressure off reef resources.

The three main areas of work cover outreach and awareness, biodiversity
information and development of alternative livelihoods.










The Turtle Islands Heritage Protected Area (TIHPA) is the first transboundary
protected area in the world, and its area of coverage spans Malaysia and the
Philippines. It is the major nesting ground of the green sea turtle (Chelonia
mydas) and is the only remaining nesting rookery of green sea turtles in the
ASEAN region.
It is also the eleventh major nesting area of marine turtles in the world. Turtles
lay hundreds of thousands of eggs in the TIHPA each year, with
approximately more than 2,000 nesters. While the hawksbill turtle
(Eretmochelys imbricata) also nests in the TIHPA, the majority nests in the
Gulisan Island, Sabah, Malaysia.
TIHPA comprises nine islands in the Sulu Sea - three in Malaysia and six in
the Philippines. The Turtle Islands Park of Sabah in Malaysia comprises Pulau
Selingan,
Pulau Bakungan Kechil and Pulau Gulisan. The Philippine Turtle Islands
include Boan, Langaan, Lihiman, Great Bakkungan, Taganak and Baguan. Of
the six islands, only Baguan is fully protected, having been declared a marine
sanctuary through legislation in 1982.
The TIHPAs mission is the conservation and management of marine turtles
and other natural resources, taking into consideration the culture, traditions,
needs and involvement of local communities, as well as national policies and
laws of the respective countries, for the benefit of both present and future
generations, and to make the TIHPA a model transborder conservation area.