FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Marine Park is an area of the sea zoned that spans of two nautical miles from the shore at lowest low tide, except Pulau Kapas in Terengganu, Pulau Kuraman, Pulau Rusukan Besar and Pulau Rusukan Kecil in Labuan which are zoned one nautical mile from the shore at lowest low tide. Marine Park is established to protect and conserve various habitats and marine aquatic life.

It is a conservation fee that is imposed upon all visitors to Marine Parks in Malaysia.

Efforts to conserve the marine environment require the cooperation of all parties. As a consumer, all the necessary requirements must be borne together. You can assist in this endeavor through charged Conservation Charges (CP).

Yes, all visitors to Marine Park Islands have to pay Conservation Charges. Exemption can be given only to islanders, Chalet entrepreneurs, dive shop entrepreneurs and their staff and also for those who had been given special exemptions by the Director-General of Fisheries Malaysia. There is a misconception that only visitors to the Marine Park Centre are required to pay the Conservation Fee. This is incorrect. All visitors who plan to visit any Marine Park Island as mentioned above should be aware that they are obliged to pay the Conservation Fee.

All Conservation Charge collection will be credited into Marine Park and Marine Reserve Trust Fund. The Trust Fund is used for management purposes of the Marine Park Centres and to provide basic facilities for the tourists at the Marine Park Centres. Facilities provided for the tourists include marker buoys to zone activity areas for the safety of the tourists, mooring buoys for diving and snorkelling boats to prevent these boats from anchoring on the corals, jet floats for the tourists to rest on to avoid them from sinking when they are tired, jungle trekking trails, toilets and bathrooms, picnic areas and most importantly an exhibition centre for them to get more information on Marine Parks. The trust fund is also use to carry out rehabilitation activities such as beach and reef clean up, Crown of Thorns Programme, and placement of artificial reefs on potential areas and degraded areas; to organise and participate in awareness programmes such as Marine Education and Awareness Camps, exhibitions, talks, seminars, workshops and conferences; and to maintain the cleanliness of the Marine Park Centres.

All the amenities can and will be enhanced for visitors’ comfort through financing from this fund and most importantly, you are helping towards the conservation of our marine heritage.

You can contribute by paying the Conservation Charge tickets every time you visit the Marine Parks in Malaysia.

Malaysian, RM5.00 for adults, & RM2.00 for children from age 6 to 12 and senior citizens (60 year and above). Disabled Malaysian is FREE.

Non Malaysian, RM 30 for adults, & RM15.00 for children from age 6 to 12 and senior citizens (60 year and above). Disabled Non Malaysian is FREE.

A ticket will be issued for every purchase. Each ticket has a distinctive serial number. The ticket also has security features to avoid fraud.

Each ticket is valid for a period of three (3) days, from the date it is scratched, in all Marine Parks in Malaysia except Pulau Payar Marine Park. The ticket in Pulau Payar Marine Park is valid for one (1) day only from the date the ticket is scratched.

Yes, the ticket can be used in all Marine Parks in Malaysia except Pulau Payar Marine Park. Ticket for visiting Pulau Payar Marine Park must be acquired separately because of the different validity period.

Fishing is absolutely prohibited in the Marine Park Area. It is an offence under Fisheries Act 1985. Any person who is found to have violated the Act could face harsh penalties of a fine up to RM 20,000 or two years jail. Fishing is only allowed in areas outside the Marine Park.

Tickets can be bought from States Marine Park Unit, Marine Park Centre; counter in public boat jetties and from officers who are patrolling the areas.

There are six (6) turtle conservation and information centres and one (1) turtle showroom established under the  Department of Fiesheries Malaysia, namely: –

1. Rantau Abang Turtle Conservation and Information Centre, Terengganu
2. Ma’Daerah Turtle Conservation Centre, Kerteh, Terengganu
3. Cherating Turtle Conservation and Information Centre, Pahang
4. Padang Kemunting Turtle Conservation and Information Centre, Melaka
5. Segari Turtle Conservation and Information Centre, Perak,
6. Kerachut Beach Turtle Conservation and Information Centre, Penang
7. Turtle Showroom, Port Dickson Ornamental Fish Centre, Negeri Sembilan

No payment or fee is charged for admission to the Turtle Conservation and Information Centre for the moment.

Among the activities carried out at TCICs are:

• Collection and incubation of turtle eggs
• Turtle release programme
• Turtle tagging programme
• Information programme for the public, school students
• Turtle landing beach cleaning activities
• Monitoring and enforcement at sea and turtle landing beaches
• Turtle study and research
• Organising seminars / workshops / courses for staff and target groups

In Malaysia, there are FOUR (4) species of turtles that landed here, namely: –

• Leatherback Sea Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea)
• Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia mydas)
• Hawksbill Sea Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata)
• Olive Ridley Sea Turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea)

The Turtle Conservation and Information Centre operates daily from 8.00 am to 5.00 pm except on public holidays and public holidays. Visiting hours are based on each centre.

Each inland fisheries sanctuary has its own unique species. Among them are:

• Mahseer
• Copper Mahseer
• Scwanenfeldii’s Barb/Barboides
• Hampala Barb

Fish fry release activities require technical advice from the Department of Fisheries as mentioned on the sanctuary webpage of each state to ensure that it follows the appropriate method, correct and responsible.

Only native fish found in the sanctuary can be released. However, it is advisable to seek consultation from the officers of States Department of Fisheries regarding the species of fish that are allowed before releasing activities are carried out.

List of fish that can be released to the sanctuary / public waters:

• Mahseer
• River Carp
• Hampala Barb
• River Catfish
• Crossbanded Barb
• Scwanenfeldii’s Barb/Barboides
• Giant River Carp
• Golden Belly Barb
• Kissing Gourami
• Copper Mahseer
• Marble Sleeper/Marble Goby
• Gourami
• Bonylip Barb
• Tiny Scale Barb
• Sea Bass
• Lobster
• Blue Gouramy

• Piranha
• Silver Dollar
• Trout
• Peacock Bass
• Northern Pike
• Flower Horn
• Pacu
• Arapaima
• Sturgeon
• Red Claw (Cherax)
• Silver Perch
• Red Tail Catfish
• Jade Perch
• Grass Carp
• Common Carp
• Silver Carp
• Bighead Carp
• Suckermouth Catfish
• Rohu
• Tilapia
• Paddlefish
• African Sharptooth Catfish

To date, there are 12 Inland Fisheries Sanctuaries in Peninsular Malaysia involving management from external agencies such as the Forestry Department and the Wildlife Department.