SEVENSEAS Marine Conservation & Travel Issue 13, June 2016 | Page 113

hoped that this announcement will be made formal in June 2016 for the World Oceans Day celebration. Another long term goal is to have Pulau Sipadan listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site that would increase funding for conservation and protection.

One of the great risks to these islands and the Coral Triangle region is population growth. Many of these islands are inhabited by the Bajou-Laut or sea gypsys who live on boats or on water villages at the oceans edge or on pilings over the shallows. These people rely on the sea for their existence. The Malaysian government estimates the population around 100,000 but the population is uncertain since many of the people have no documentation. In addition to enforcement against harmful fishing practices, these people need an alternative livelihood. We hope that marine protected areas and sustainable tourism will support the transfer of effort away from extraction and towards conservation of the splendid marine biodiversity and sharks in the Semporna region.

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