The roles of local community in sustainable marine resources management: a case study of Tun Mustapha Park, Sabah

This study focuses on the local community's roles in maintaining marine resource management, particularly at Tun Mustapha Park (TMP) in Sabah, Malaysia. This qualitative study is a systematic literature review, where key information was gathered and synthesised from secondary sources, including academic publications, non-governmental organisation papers, and official documents. Over 80,000 coastal residents and a wide variety of species call TMP, one of Southeast Asia's largest marine protected areas, home. However, overfishing, climate change, and unsustainable development pose threats to the area. The research also utilises the Three Basic Pillars Model as a community contribution. The results demonstrate how local actions, such as the restoration of 2,152 square meters of coral reef and the monitoring of turtle nests, where there has been a 50% decrease in poaching, have significantly improved ecological resilience. While economic alternatives like ecotourism and sustainable livelihoods decreased dependency on damaging activities, social programs like photovoice and comic book campaigns increased awareness and empowered marginalised groups. Budget constraints and enforcement gaps are obstacles, highlighting the significance of inclusive policies and multi-stakeholder cooperation. According to the study, integrating traditional knowledge with contemporary techniques balances ecological health and community well-being while fostering long-term conservation success.