Tun Mustapha Marine Park, Marine conservation area in Sabah, Malaysia.
Tun Mustapha Marine Park is a marine conservation area covering coastal regions across three districts with a landscape of numerous islands and varied water habitats. The park's geography ranges from shallow reef areas to deeper zones, each supporting different types of marine life.
The Malaysian government created this marine park in 2016 following extensive consultations and negotiations that had taken place over many years. The establishment represented a collaborative effort to address conservation needs while respecting the interests of local communities.
The coastal communities living here have practiced traditional fishing for generations, and this way of life remains central to their identity and daily routines. The park's management respects these customs by allowing designated areas where local people can continue their ancestral practices.
The park is divided into four zones with different rules for each area, ranging from strictly protected sections to zones where limited activities and fishing are permitted. Visitors should check local guidelines to understand which zone they are entering and what is allowed in each area.
The park shelters a remarkable array of coral species and fish varieties that together create one of the region's most biodiverse marine environments. It also serves as a refuge for larger marine animals including dugongs and sea turtles that are increasingly rare elsewhere.
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