Report - Jabatan Taman Laut Malaysia - NRE

2. THE PROJECT AND ITS DEVELOPMENTCONTEXT2.1. Project start and its durationThis 5 year project designed and approved in 2005, had funding approved in2006 by GEF and GoM, and commenced in March 2007. This was followedby revision of the project document through the inception process. TheInception Report significantly up dated the Project Document although thebroad strategy remained in place. For the purpose of this mid-termevaluation the Inception Report is considered the base document that setsout the 5 year plan for the project. The project had a thirteen month earlydelay 5 whilst the project consultants were appointed – a briefing was held 14January 2008 and appointment of consultants confirmed in 16 February2009. 62.2. Problems that the project seeks to addressMalaysia has established a system of marine parks, gazetted in 1994, toprotect and manage the marine biodiversity in the waters surrounding 42islands, In spite of their protected status and current management efforts,there are several threats that affect the marine biodiversity of Malaysia.Declining fish stocks and the exploitation of breeding grounds; loss ofhabitat for marine life and destruction of coral reefs as well as habitatdegradation and the degradation of water quality are the principle threats.These have been identified to derive from the federal-state split injurisdiction over the marinepark islands and surroundingwater bodies; sector-basedpolicy-making and planningwith regard to marine parkislands and from a low level ofawareness across all sectorsand stakeholders.The project is piloting theobjective of the project at threedemonstration sites of PulauRedang, Pulau Sibu-Tinggiand Pulau Tioman that are indiffering stages ofdevelopment and approachesto island management.75 MTR Briefing by NPD, Slide 136 Delays were in the GoM procurement process7 MTR briefing by NPD, Slide 44