Pulau Tigabu Community-based Marine Managed Area , Malaysia
Pulau Tigabu Community-Based Marine Managed Area (CBMMA) is located within the Tigabu- Kukuban-Mantabuan island complex in northeastern Sabah, Malaysia. It lies within the boundary of Tun Mustapha Park, one of Southeast Asia’s largest marine protected areas. This ICCA is led by Persatuan Kekal Asli Pulau Tigabu (KAT), a community-based organization established in 2018 and made up of local Ubian, Bajau, and Suluk communities—all of whom practice Islam. The population comprises 721 individuals across 131 families. The community’s main livelihood is small-scale fishing, with over 60% of households relying on marine resources for income. Other supplementary activities include aquaculture (especially sea cucumber farming), small-scale agriculture, local trade, homestay services, and the production of traditional handicrafts. The community is rich in traditional ecological knowledge, including seasonal fishing calendars, oral histories about the island’s origin, and deep- rooted practices for identifying sea turtle nesting activity and managing marine resources.
The conservation efforts in Tigabu began as a response to declining fish stocks, increased pressure on marine ecosystems, and poaching of turtle eggs. The formal establishment of the CBMMA was motivated by the community’s recognition of the need to protect its marine biodiversity and cultural heritage. Through KAT’s leadership, the community has developed and now actively implements a range of activities. These include coordinated day and night patrols to deter illegal fishing and protect endangered turtle nesting sites, the establishment of a turtle hatchery to ensure safe incubation and release, and the monitoring of fish stocks through regular field assessments. The community has also initiated eco-tourism services, such as guided snorkeling tours and homestays, while continuing to promote environmental education and small-scale enterprise development among youth and women.
The conservation area focuses on protecting coral reef habitats, spawning grounds, and endangered marine species, particularly hawksbill and green turtles. These ecosystems offer significant ecological services such as coastal protection, habitat for key marine species, and spiritual and recreational value to the community. The positive impacts of conservation have been significant - sea turtle egg poaching has decreased by more than 50%, compliance with sustainable fishing practices has improved, and awareness about marine protection has grown, particularly among young people. Monitoring and evaluation are carried out through ranger patrol logs, hatchling release records, and collaboration with Sabah Parks and WWF-Malaysia on scientific assessments.
Management of the CBMMA is community-led through KAT, with support from key government agencies including Sabah Parks, the Department of Wildlife, and enforcement support. WWF- Malaysia provides technical, financial, and capacity-building support. Community rangers have been formally appointed as Renjer Kehormat (Honorary Rangers), enhancing their role in law enforcement and surveillance. Despite its successes, the area still faces threats such as destructive fishing, climate change, and limited financial resources in terms of limited equipment and upkeep of community assets. However, the initiative has already brought positive impacts to the community including renewed cultural pride, diversified income, improved environmental knowledge, and more inclusive decision-making.
Looking forward, the community aims to scale up eco-tourism activities, establish local cooperatives for financial sustainability, and improve conservation infrastructure and mobile monitoring tools. There is also a need for more permanent legal recognition of the community-managed area and sustainable funding mechanisms. The experience from Pulau Tigabu demonstrates that community ownership, cultural identity, and strong partnerships are key enablers of effective and sustainable conservation. Lessons learned include the importance of inclusive governance, the role of youth and women in environmental stewardship, and the power of traditional knowledge in driving conservation outcomes.
This case study was originally published by UNEP-WCMC in 01/26. The content was provided by the custodians of this ICCA. The ICCA has been self-declared and has not yet been through a peer-review process to verify its status. More details on this process can be found here. The contents of this website do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of UN Environment Programme or UNEP-WCMC.