Voice From the Field

The Semporna Islands Darwin Project (SIDP) www.sempornaislandsproject.com is a 3-year initiative involving local communities in coral reef conservation in the recently gazetted Tun Sakaran Marine Park, Sabah, Malaysia. The project is managed by the Marine Conservation Society (UK) in collaboration with Sabah Parks, and the aim is to protect the outstanding features and biodiversity of the site, while promoting sustainable use of natural resources, economic development and traditional culture.

In February 2007, the SIDP team organised an ‘Education and Awareness Roadshow and Boatshow’ to promote the existence and relevance of the Tun Sakaran Marine Park in the wider Semporna area. One of the aims of the campaign was to entertain people and stimulate their interests in conservation and the Park by running competitions and interactive activities.

SIDP teamed up with ICRAN, who provided funding for a specially designed cartoon colouring book which was produced for the Campaign. Due to the low levels of literacy in the area, and the fact that many children do not go to school, the simple cartoons proved popular with both children and adults. 2000 copies of the book were produced in both English and Bahasa Melayu and distributed to all households both inside and outside the Park. With little access to art materials, the children enjoyed expressing their artistic talents with the packets of colouring pencils that were given away with the book.

The story is about two coral reefs animals, Sammy Sweetlips and Tina Turtle. Their peaceful lives are shattered one day by fishermen who throw a bomb into the water, killing their friends and destroying the reef around them. As Sammy and Tina search for a safer place to live they encounter other dangers. Eventually they find their way to a safe reef where they can settle peacefully and raise their children.

Copies of the book (in English or Malay) are available to purchase at £2.00 each (not including postage and packing) by contacting Helen Brunt, email: helen@sempornaislandsproject.com. Profits from the sales of the book are being channelled into printing more books to be given to children who cannot buy them, and thus educating more people about the plights facing coral reefs in the area.

To share your own story or experiences please contact info@icran.org