The SIMCA Enforcement steering committee meeting that discussed illegal fishing within and outside SIMCA
Reef Guardian/ Achier Chung
The success of enforcement work relies on collaboration from the authorities. The SIMCA Enforcement Steering Committee has been established to reduce illegal fishing activities within the marine protected area. The steering committee included Reef Guardian, Sabah Wildlife Department, Department of Fishery, Marine Police, Malaysia Navy, District Offices, Malaysia Maritime Enforcement Agency and Eastern Sabah Security Command. The Joint collaborative enforcement activities were conducted regularly to ensure efficiency in handling threats in illegal fishing, wildlife poaching and trafficking, illegal immigrant, and piracy issue within and outside of the marine protected area.
Close relationship with stakeholders
Persistency of partners to take action
Clear marine threats information for the authorities to plan for their actions
Effective enforcement needs collaboration from stakeholders from information gathering, consistence patrolling, effective detection and detention for court prosecution and crime conviction.
In the radar control room, Reef Guardian staff monitor potential boat intrusion to SIMCA.
Reef Guardian
Blast detector in the reef to record number of fishing blast over period of time
Reef Guardian/ Achier Chung
Investment in a radar tracking system for broader monitoring of the area. The radar tracking system is real-time monitoring speed, and directional heading of the boat in the marine protected area's vicinity. The radar information can infer the type of activity of the boat is likely to be engaged in the sea. For example, a fish trawler boat that is trawling tends to move at a slower speed of 7-10 kph than a passing trawler that usually travels at a speed of 16 – 20 kph. Furthermore, five blast detectors were installed to monitor and analyse blast fishing activities within SIMCA. The blast detector's information enables the Reef Guardian enforcement team to do strategic sea patrol to increase enforcement presence in the hot spot where illegal fish bombing often occurred.
Investment from a partner organization (Conservation International Philippine) on a radar tracking system in 2009.
Joint partnership with Reef Defender from Hong Kong since 2014 in the mission to reduce fish bombing in the region.
Information from the radar reduces operational cost (boat fuel) where the team show enforcement presence on the hot spot areas, instead of patrolling the entire marine protected area.
Radar information is best for night enforcement activities. The information giving a higher chance to intercept illegal fishing activities on the spot which lead to higher success on detection and detention rates.
