Sabah doing its best to gazette marine parks despite Covid-19 challenges

 By Olivia Miwil - March 31, 2021 @ 4:35pm

Mantanani is one of the waters approved by Sabah government to gazette as marine parks. - NSTP/OLIVIA MIWIL

KOTA BELUD: The Covid-19 pandemic has slowed down the gazettement of two proposed marine parks in Sabah.

It was reported that by the first quarter of last year, Darvel Bay in Lahad Datu was to have been gazetted, while Mantanani island is expected to be gazetted by 2023.

Commenting on the progress of the gazettement, Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment minister Datuk Jafry Ariffin said in principal, both sites have been agreed by the state cabinet to be gazetted as protected marine parks.

He added that both proposed marine parks are now being handled by Sabah Parks.

"The (gazettement process) requires discussions with the community and district offices.

"This is to ensure they would not be affected nor would there be any complexity (resulting from the gazettement)," he told at a press conference after launching 40 new premium chalets at Sutera@Mantanani Island Resort and Spa here.

When asked on the possible time frame for the gazettement, Jafry said the relevant authorities would do their best.

"We want to expedite the process by meeting with the community but due to Covid-19 (on standard operating procedures), it is hard to say. But we will do our best."

The 100,000-hectare Darvel Bay encompasses 50 surrounding islands while Mantanani island is a resort area which was popular among international tourists before the Covid-19 pandemic.

Sabah Parks had targeted having 13 per cent of coastal areas gazetted under marine protected areas by 2023.

To date, it has achieved 7.4 per cent with six marine parks- Tun Mustapha Park, Tunku Abdul Rahman Park, Tun Sakaran Park, Pulau Tiga Park, Turtle Islands and Sipadan, which are also sanctuaries for sharks.