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Conservation organisation World Wildlife Fund (WWF) has presented its Leaders for a Living Planet Award to Sabah’s state government in recognition of its effort to create the Malaysia’s largest marine protected area (MPA). The proposed MPA, known as Tun Mustapha Park (TMP), will protect some one million hectares of ocean off Sabah’s north coast, one of the world’s most biodiverse marine ecosystems. The planned park is home to four species of sea turtles, 550 fish species, 252 hard coral species, and 243 invertebrate species, as well as migratory marine mammals such as whales and dolphins.

“The gazettement of Tun Mustapha Park is a globally significant action that will boost the conservation and biodiversity of this uniquely rich natural environment,” said Marco Lambertini, Director General of WWF International. “It will also do much to ensure the sustainable management of the significant marine resources in the area, for the long-term benefit of the more than 80,000 people living on the coast and islands in the proposed park.”

WWF-Malaysia has been supporting the gazettement process and working with Sabah’s government agencies and partners for more than 10 years.

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