Management of the Turtle Islands Heritage Protected Area. Content of presentation. Introduction. by Director, Sabah Parks

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1 Management of the Turtle Islands Heritage Protected Area by Director, Sabah Parks Regional Meeting on Conservation and Management of Sea Turtle Foraging Habitats in South East Asian Waters AnCasa Hotel & Spa, Kuala Lumpur October 2013 Content of presentation Introduction Description of the TIHPA The MoU and the JMC The Joint Management Program Turtle Conservation work Ecotourism programs Issues Introduction Result of Research on Tagging Program Turtle conservation efforts in Sabah, Malaysia: - establishment of turtle hatchery in Selingaan (1966) and Bakkungaan Kechil (1968) - Conversion of the islands of Selingaan, Bakkungaan Kecill and Gulisaan as a Game and Bird Sanctuary in 1972; turtle tagging initiated - Gazettement of Turtle Islands Park (1,740 ha.) in October, 1977 Source: 4 The Turtle Islands Heritage Protected Area (TIHPA) The TIHPA consists of nine islands that bestride the international treaty limits separating Malaysia and the Philippines. Three of these islands, namely Selingaan, Bakkungaan Kechil and Gulisaan, are located within Malaysian waters. These islands form the original Turtle Islands Park, which was gazetted in October 1977, covering an area of 1,740 hectares. The other six islands, designated by the Philippines, are Boaan, Lihiman, Langaan, Great Bakkungaan, Baguan and Taganak. The TIHPA lies about 40 km. north of Sandakan, Sabah, Malaysia and about 1000 km. southwest of Manila, Philippines. Boaan Lihiman Selingaan Langaan Gulisaan Bakungaan Besar Bakungaan K. Taganak Sandakan Baguan Turtle Islands 1

2 Significance of the TIHPA The Sabah-Philippine Turtle Islands in the Sulu Sea, together with the Berau islands, East Kalimantan, Indonesia, form one of the few remaining major green turtle nesting habitats in the world, where more than 1,000 turtles nest annually (Trono, 1993). Specifically, Gulisaan Island provides nesting habitat to the largest remaining hawksbill turtle population in the entire South East Asian Region (Chan & Liew, 1996). Selingaan Island Bakkungaan Kechil Gulisaan Island 8 The Philippines Turtle Islands The Turtle Islands Heritage Protected Area (TIHPA) Established in May 1996 following the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement between the Governments of Malaysia and the Republic of the Philippines. An integrated management through regional cooperation and coordination. The Turtle Islands Heritage Protected Area (TIHPA) The world s first transborder protected area for marine turtles. The MoA involves the implementation of a joint management programs to ensure the survival of the remaining green and hawksbill turtle populations in the area. The TIHPA Integrated Management Program Implementation of an integrated and uniform approach to conservation and research that is oriented towards wise management of the TIHPA; Establishment of a centralized database and information network on marine turtles; Development of appropriate information awareness programs primarily targeted towards the inhabitants of the Turtle Islands (applicable only to the Philippine side) on conservation of marine turtles and the protection of their habitats; 2

3 The TIHPA Integrated Management Program (contd.) Implementation of a joint marine turtle resource management program; Development and implementation of a training and development program for the staff of the TIHPA; Development and undertaking of eco-tourism programs; Adoption of a Turtle Conservation and Research Program. The TIHPA Management Program (contd.) Turtle Conservation and Research Program. Turtle Conservation and management Program 1. Protection of nesting habitat 2. Prohibition of sand and coral excavation 3. Protection and rehabilitation of beach vegetation 4. Beach clearing activities 5. Protection of adult turtles 6. Prohibition of the use of fishing gears contributing to mortality or disturbance of turtles within TIHPA 7. Screening of lights from buildings 8. Protection from main forms of pollution that might endanger turtles 9. Formulation of a Joint Management Plan for the TIHPA The TIHPA Management Program (contd.) Turtle Conservation and Research Program. Research and Monitoring Program 1. Population status and distribution 2. Turtle harvest management 3. Dynamics of turtle egg trade 4. DNA analysis 5. Determination of sex ratio in ex-situ hatching 6. Tagging of turtles 7. Joint resource and ecological assessment 8. Joint socio-cultural-economic and investment opportunity assessment The Joint Management Program I. Surveillance and Enforcement II. Research and Monitoring III. Education and Awareness IV. Capacity Building V. Centralised database, and VI. Collaboration and Networking The Joint Management Committee (JMC) Composed of five members from each contracting party; May be accompanied by one or more experts and advisers who may come from non-government organizations involved in the conservation of marine turtles; Shall serve as the policy-making body of the TIHPA and may coordinate/collaborate with international organizations involved in marine turtle conservation for the realization of the purposes of this Agreement The Joint Management Committee (JMC) contd. The representative of each contracting Party to the Committee shall study and recommend to their respective authorities the enactment of such laws as may be necessary to pursue the purposes of this Agreement. The Committee shall render periodic reports to the Malaysia-Philippines Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation 3

4 Membership of the Malaysian JMC Membership of the Philippine JMC Director of Sabah Parks (Chairman) Director, Resource management Section, Department of Fisheries Malaysia Representative from the Federal Attorney General s Chambers Permanent Secretary, State Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment Sabah Assistant Director, Park Management & Operations Section, Sabah Parks Director, Protected Areas & Wildlife Bureau, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (Chairman) Representative from Maritime and Ocean Affairs Unit (MOAU), Office of the Undersecretary for Policy, Department of Foreign Affairs Assistant Chief of Staff for Plans and Programs, AC5 Southern Command, Armed Forces of the Philippines Director, Special Concerns Office, DENR Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Executive Director, Kabang Kalikasan ng Pilipinas (KKP) Institutional Mechanism for Implementation Turtle Islands Park s hatcheries Selingaan Island Coordinated management Parallel management plans Each party has to respect and accept existing national and local policies of the counterpart. A ten-member Joint Management Committee. A Joint Technical Working Group. Bakkungan Kechil Island Gulisaan Island 22 Research and Education Program Current turtle conservation Daily activities Beach patrol In situ & ex situ turtle nest program Hatchery program Data collection & management SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH PROGRAM PUBLIC AWARENESS PROGRAM / EDUCATION ACTIVITY 24 4

5 Sea Turtle Research: Monitoring migration pattern using satellite telemetry Preparation of transect lines and data logger protection pipes (October 2009) A sea turtle with a transmitter Preparing a turtle for fixing a transmitter Result of the telemetry study Income Diversification Project The goal is to provide an alternative source of income for the community as part of the social preparation for ecotourism. Initial livelihood projects will be supported through a conservation agreement with selected residents of Taganak Island: Diversifying fishing and market options in Taganak (assistance to fisher folks, including provision of sea crab traps) Tourism items and crafts for ecotourism in the Turtle Islands (engagement of the Youth and Java Mapun weavers) Improving access to basic commodities with lowered prices in Taganak, Turtle Islands (setting up of a buying-club among women) 12 TH Meeting of the Joint Management Committee for the Turtle Islands Heritage Protected Area Sabah Hotel, Sandakan, Sabah September TH Meeting of the Joint Management Committee for the Turtle Islands Heritage Protected Area Sabah Hotel, Sandakan, Sabah September 2011 Green turtle nesting trend in TIP from Nesting Trend of Hawksbill turtle nesting trend in TIP from

6 14000 Green turtle nesting trend in TIWS from Ecotourism at the Turtle Islands Park Taganak Lihiman Langaan Bakkungan Baguan Turtle Islands Park form one of the three main tourist attraction centers in the East Coast of Sabah. Known internationally because of the sea turtles (nesting throughout the year). Limited accommodation facilities provided. Operation of chalets and other tourist facilities privatized in Tourist arrival from 431 in 1982 to 11,418 in For the last 5 years, the annual average number of tourists was 12,579 persons. Revenue collected: RM889, in 2011; RM1,018, in 2012, and RM733, up to Sept TH Meeting of the Joint Management Committee for the Turtle Islands Heritage Protected Area Sabah Hotel, Sandakan, Sabah September 2011 Operation of ecotourism activity Chalets & restaurant facilities operated by Crystal Quest Sdn. Bhd. 52 pax per night Filming & photography permit Collection of Conservation fee Visitors accommodation 34 Facilities inside the chalets Categories of visitors Day trippers Overnight stay Management of visitors Activities: 1. Swimming & snorkeling 2. Diving 3. Turtle watching 6

7 Turtle Islands Ecotourism Development Conservation International Philippines Romeo Trono Country Executive Director Turtle Islands, Tawi-Tawi Located in the Sulu Sea in the Municipality of Turtle Islands, Tawi-tawi Composed of six islands Major green turtle nesting area Part of the transborder Turtle Islands Heritage Protected Area With Limited Resources Zero tourism, but with great potential Ecotourism as a Conservation Tool Issues Need to protect sea turtles, the local environment and human wellbeing Need to provide the economic needs of the local communities Gathering of turtle eggs for food and trade continues Selingan Island Model (Sabah) Turtle Watching Program operating for about 30 years Maintains high turtle nesting records Generates tourism revenues Provides livelihood for Malaysians Tour Operators buy rooms one year in advance NO-TAKE ZONE BAGUAN ISLAND ZONING 7

8 Sites for Development Areas for Development Zones / Use Description Area in hectares Villas/Accommod ation Structures on platforms 1.06 Perimeter buffer zone Vegetation/ pathwalk m 33.5m Waste Management Area Place for composting, recycling and waste handling m 22m PAMB Center 0.61 Employee Accommodation 0.21 TOTAL AREA 3.28 hectares hectares 15m 12m Issues Inadequate funding to carry out all research program listed in the Joint Management Program Border crossing Implementation of the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act of 2001 (Republic Act 9147) prohibition on the collection of sea turtles or any of its derivatives including eggs: Moratorium introduced to allow the 60/40 system to continue from late 2004 Situation in the Southern Philippines (ARMM) Thanks for your attention A sunset view from Pulau Tiga Park 8