"As anglers, it’s up to us to preserve the fisheries and habitats that make our sport possible. By following ethical angling practices, we are doing our part now to make sure future generations have the opportunity to enjoy the sport as much as we do. " - Ethical Angler (ethicalangler.com)

Picture: The Billfish Foundation

In the early 1980s, it was realized that marine fisheries had experienced a decline. In order to enhance fisheries resources, it was deemed essential that coral reef areas where various commercial fish species live, breed, feed and grow, need to be protected. Coral reef areas are one of the critical habitats because they are exposed to various stressors, which occur naturally or are caused by human activities. In view of the situation, in 1983, the then Prime Minister of Malaysia, Rt. Hon. Tun Dr. Manathir Mohammad directed the Ministry of Agriculture (Department of Fisheries) to establish Marine Parks in the country. The setting up of Marine Parks is provided for under Part IX of the Fisheries Act, 1985. The principal goal of establishing Marine Parks in the country is to protect, conserve and manage in perpetuity representative marine ecosystems of significance, particularly coral reefs and their associated flora and fauna, so that they remain undamaged for future generations. In addition, our aim is to inculcate public understanding, appreciation and enjoyment of our marine heritage. To date, there are 42 Marine Parks in Malaysia covering an area of 2,486.13 km2. - Jabatan Taman Laut Malaysia - 20