Livelihoods, Transients, and the Challenge of Marine Conservation
Semporna Peninsular Priority Conservation Area
7:30 PM, 30th March, 2010
Mark.s Lodge
Rosalie Corpuz, Honorary Treasurer of the SS Sandakan Branch, dropped her accounting responsibilities for the night to give a very informative and insightful talk to the Sabah Society. Her talk focused on community livelihoods of five Semporna islands, namely Mabul, Denawan, Omadal, Menampilik, and Bum-Bum.
Factors such as large-scale fishing, abhorrent fishing practices, increasing tourism presence, and uncontrolled illegal immigration have intensified the pressure on marine resources in the area. This has resulted in environmental degradation and the severe depletion of fish stocks. Collectively, these factors pose the biggest threats to the marine environment and local livelihoods, thus altering the economic, political, social, and cultural landscapes of these communities. Rosalie’s talk also addressed how the winds of change and development have propelled these island communities into adopting different livelihood strategies.
The talk was attended by 19 persons, including 5 non-members. Magic Box collection was RM 87 and Function Room rental was RM 150.
