ECOTOURISM AS AN EFFECTIVE CONSERVATION AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT TOOL - CASE STUDY ON FISH MANAGEMENT AT ENDAU ROMPIN PARK, JOHOR STATE, MALAYSIA

Abstract

Ecotourism is a nature based form of specialty travel defined by The International Ecotourism Society (TIES) as "responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and sustains the well-being of local people". Ecotourism can be a legitimate use of a country's nature resources. It can be an effective vehicle for understanding and respecting native cultures and natural environments (flora and fauna). However Ecotourism has widespread environmental, social and economic impacts and if it is not managed properly. inconsiderate or oblivious of environmental concerns, it can also destroy these invaluable resources. A case study on fish management of Endau-Rompin Johor National Park is chosen to answer the question of whether ecotourism can be an effective conservation and sustainable development tool. This project is an extension of an ongoing two-year fish study jointly conducted by the Malaysia Nature Society - Johor Branch (MNSJ) and the Johor National Park Corporation (JNPC). Research data sources include site visits, participation in current fish study, interview with key data informers (MNS, JNPC, Orang Asli, Ichthyologists) and literature search on global 'best practices' of fish conservation. This This report concludes that ecotourism in the form of recreational fishing can be an effective conservation and sustainable development tool for fish conservation. However, it is found that there is no one single solution for fish conservation. Fish is affected by multiple lands and aquatic users and fish conservation is concern with habitat protection and integrated catchment management. Traditional approach of conservation management such as regulations of exploitation, nature reserves, captive breeding etc is not enough. There is a need to understand the underlying threats and formulate an integrated management plan to address the environmental, social, legal and economic issues of freshwater fishes. This report addresses the need for legislation, scientific knowledge, public participation, public education, awareness and financial sustainability for effective fish conservation management. The case study illustrates that fish management is a typical environmental management issue which is multidisciplinary with multiple users and stakeholders. The park management needs to work with these stakeholders to develop a holistic management plan which encompass ecotourism development and fish conservation. A well developed, appropriate and implementation plan will allow Endau-Rompin Johor National Park to conserve its fish diversity, attract anglers/fish lovers and share the richness of the park with the public. Fish is just one of the fauna of the park; there are many other rich biodiversity to be discovered and to be protected. The fishes are not alone in the threats that they face and the learning from the fishes can be applied to conservation of all biodiversity of the park.