Chapter 1: Introduction

CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

Global Warming, increase in the average temperature of the atmosphere, oceans,

and landmasses of Earth or an average increase in the temperature of the atmosphere near

the Earth's surface and in the troposphere, which can contribute to changes in global

climate patterns. Global warming can occur from a variety of causes, both natural and

human induced. In common usage, "global warming" often refers to the warming that can

occur as a result of increased emissions of greenhouse gases from human activities. The

environmental community rightly recognizes global warming as one of the greatest

threats to the planet. Global temperatures are already higher than they’ve ever been in at

least the past millennium, and the increase is accelerating even faster than scientists had

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Chapter 1: Introduction

predicted. The expected consequences include coastal flooding, increases in extreme

weather, spreading disease, and mass extinctions.

According to NASA, the hottest year on record was 2005, which matched 1998.

Twice in the last ten years, we've had the hottest temperatures on average ever recorded

in our planet's history. That is very likely more than just a coincidence. In fact, the past

nine years have all been among the 25 warmest years on record, a streak which is

unprecedented in the historical record. For that to happen, it’s likely there has to be an

underlying factor, and that factor seems to be global warming.

At present Earth appears to be facing a rapid warming, which most scientists

believe results, at least in part, from human activities. The chief cause of this warming is

thought to be the burning of fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, and natural gas, which releases

into the atmosphere carbon dioxide and other substances known as greenhouse gases. As

the atmosphere becomes richer in these gases, it becomes a better insulator, retaining

more of the heat provided to the planet by the Sun. We will experience extreme

temperatures, rises in sea levels, and storms of unimaginable destructive fury. Recently,

alarming events that are consistent with scientific predictions about the effects of climate

change have become more and more commonplace. Malaysians can no longer wait for

someone else to take action.

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Chapter 1: Introduction

1.2 Tourism Industry and Global Warming

Currently, tourism industry is the second highest industry that contributes to

Malaysia National Income. Tourism industry in Malaysia has huge scopes that include

variety of products that can be seen as tourist attraction products. Through the tourism

industry, Malaysia will be known by outsider and it also help Malaysia to introduce the

uniqueness of Malaysian culture, ethnic, lifestyle, beautiful forest, marine life and

attractive destination etc.

The tourism industry’s heavy reliance on the local environment to sell holidays

means that it could face serious challenges as a result of this phenomenon. The tourism

industry and destinations are clearly sensitive to climate variability and change. Climate

defines the length and quality of tourism seasons and plays a major role in destination

choice and tourist spending. In many destinations tourism is closely linked with the

natural environment. Generally speaking, tourism loves good weather same goes to the

tourists.

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1.3 Marine parks in Malaysia

The idea for the establishment of Marine Parks in Malaysia first arose in the

1980s, after it was realized that the marine fisheries resources had experienced a decline,

Yaccob and Shuib( 2009). In order to enhance these resources, the protection of coral reef

areas was deemed essential.

At the moment there are 40 islands, and the surrounding marine waters have been

designated as marine parks under the Fisheries Act 1985. These islands are grouped into

five centers, which are located off the coast at Kedah, Terengganu, Pahang, Johor and

Labuan.

The primary goal of the establishment of marine parks is to provide an area for

the protection and conservation of marine resources and habitats, and to function as a

management tool, aiding the drive towards sustainability in the fishing industry. Apart

from the objectives related to the conservation of biodiversity, the establishment of

marine parks tends naturally to have a positive effect on the enjoyment and appreciation

of natural resources by the public. Marine parks encourage the development of tourism

and ecotourism.

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Marine parks are often suitable as recreational areas or picnic sites as a result of

their inherent beauty. The coral reefs, fish, mangroves, coastal vegetation, beautiful

beaches and clear blue waters, together with the peaceful and harmonious condition of

the islands, combine to offer an area for human enjoyment. Recently, the number of

visitors to marine parks increased significantly on a yearly basis in table 1.1.

Year

State Visitor

2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Domestic
Kedah 19,607 26,043 24,580 23,298 25,454
Foreigner
74,492 86,605 86,049 72,773 77,412

Domestic 98,863 93,546 112,844 129,532 99,434

Terengganu
Foreigner 24,296 41,552 38,553 22,292 70,692

Domestic 77,570 104,602 73,688 124,673 105,867

Pahang
Foreigner 90,191 111,334 75,312 67,256 88,525

Domestic 32,440 41,210 51,558 41,199 38,025

Johor
Foreigner 12,421 15,123 15,098 27,465 25,349

Total 429,880 520,015 477,682 508,488 530,758

Table 1.1 Visitors arrival to Marine Parks in Malaysia

(Source: Department of Marine Park Malaysia)

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Chapter 1: Introduction

1.4 Perhentian Island Marine Parks

Islands are special places with a natural attraction for tourists and a special

challenge to sustainability especially when confronted with global warming phenomenon.

Climate plays an obvious role in tourist destination in an island. The majority of tourists

spend their holidays in an island, visiting marine parks, snorkeling and diving and lazing

in the sun, a sun that should be pleasant but not too hot.

Perhentian Islands are a small group of beautiful, coral-fringed islands off the

coast of northeastern Malaysia in the state of Terengganu, not far from the Thailand

border. There are two main islands in Perhentian consist of Perhentian Besar ("Big

Perhentian") and Perhentian Kecil ("Small Perhentian"). Both islands are surrounded by

beautiful palm-fringed powdery white sandy beaches and crystal-clear turquoise-blue sea.

The two main islands are heavily forested and ringed with sandy beaches, typical of

tropical islands.

Perhentian Island is a marine park. All the islands belong to a protected marine

park, which means that fishing, collecting coral and littering are strictly prohibited. All

manner of aquatic life is visible both near and far from the beach such as turtles, sharks,

coral and thousands of tropical fish. The interior is covered by jungle with a wide variety

of species. Marine Park is a sea zoned area for a distance of two nautical miles from the

lowest sea level according to Department of Marine Park Malaysia. Marine parks in

Malaysia establishment first arise in the 1980s. It was created because the marine

fisheries resources had been experienced a decline. Because of this problem in order to

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Chapter 1: Introduction

maintain and enhance the resources, the protection and conservation of coral reef areas

was seem very important. These areas provide habitat, breeding and feeding opportunities

to various commercial fish species.

The primary goal of the establishment of marine parks is to provide an area for

the protection and conservation of marine resources and habitats. Other than that, it’s also

has function as a management tool and aiding the drive towards sustainability in the

fishing industry. Marine parks are able to contribute to these objectives through the

conservation of critical habitats and biodiversity, the prevention of over-fishing, the

maintenance of habitat continuity, and the maintenance of essential ecological processes.

This study is narrowing down the impact of global warming in Terengganu

focusing in the marine parks. There are 13 Marine Park located in Terenggnu, managed

by Department of Marine Park Malaysia as showed in table 1.2. The marine park that

been choose located near to one and another as in Figure 1.1 on page 88 (appendixes)

which in Perhentian Kecil and Perhentian Besar.

There several snorkeling spots that been covered up in this study which are Shark

Spot, Fish Spot, Corals Spot, Turtle Spots, Light House, Romantic Beach and two (2)

nearby island, Pulau Rawa and Pulau Susu Dara.

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Marine Park Area

State Size (km-sq)
Gazette Island Other Island nearby the Marine Park
Terengganu 568.69 Pulau Perhentian Kecil
Pulau Perhentian Besar
Pulau Susu Dara Pulau Rawa
Pulau Serenggeh
Pulau Teku Burung
Pulau Tokong Kemudi
Pulau Tokong Kemudi Barat
Pulau Lang Tengah
Pulau Redang Pulau Ling
Pulau Ekor Tebu
Pulau Kerengga Besar
Pulau Kerengga Kecil
Pulau Paku Besar
Pulau Paku Kechil
Pulau Cupak
Pulau Lima
Pulau Ekor Tebu
Pulau Pinang
Pulau Yu Kecil
Pulau Yu Besar
Pulau Kapas Pulau Gemia
Pulau Tenggol
Pulau Nyireh
Total 13 Marine Park 13 Islands

Table 1.2: Marine Park in Terengganu

(Source: Department of Marine Park Malaysia)

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Chapter 1: Introduction

1.4.1 Local Climate in Perhentian Island

Malaysia’s climate is characterized by year-round heat and humidity.

Temperatures remain high throughout the year, with lows dipping to 21°C and

highs rising into the low 30s (°C). There are two distinct seasons, dry and

monsoon and annual humidity levels remain at 90 per cent regardless of the

season. The monsoon season begins in November and continues until February.

During this time, it’s not uncommon for the coastal resorts and other

accommodation to close down for lack of tourists.

The climate in Perhentian Islands is tropical, with temperatures staying

close to 30⁰C all year round. Travelers are advised to avoid the monsoon season,

during which conditions in the east coast of Malaysia can be tough and stormy.

Outside this period, which means between February and October, Perhentian

Islands are worth a visit anytime

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Chapter 1: Introduction

1.5 Problem Statement

Tourism in Malaysia really relies on the good weather. Global warming seems

giving several impacts to the industry. Tourism is, first and foremost, an undeniable

victim. True, the outlook in this regard is not all negative, and it is plausible, for example,

that certain seaside destinations or islands will be able to extend their season, given the

fact that higher water and air temperatures will make beach tourism possible during

periods when it has hitherto hardly been practiced. For reasons having to do mainly with

global warming, a large part of coral formations have already disappeared in the marine

parks. A very modest rise in seawater temperature, accompanied by the ongoing

acidification of oceans and by diverse pollution phenomena, has been enough to trigger

this phenomenon.

1.6 Purpose of the Study

The primary aim of this paper is to identify the negative impact of global warming

to marine parks in Malaysia especially in Terengganu. Other than that, the study aim to

observe and evaluate the preservation and conservation program that been adopted

towards minimizing the impact to the tourism activities in the area. At the same time it is

necessary to realize the achieving and monitoring of sustainable development and

biodiversity conservation in marine parks.

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Chapter 1: Introduction

1.7 Objectives of the Study

The objectives of this research are:

1. To investigate on how global warming started

2. To provide an overview and an understanding about cause of global warming

phenomenon towards marine parks in Perhentian Island, Malaysia.

3. To get a clearer understanding of the various types of negative impacts of global

warming that occurred in marine parks in Perhentian Island, Malaysia.

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Chapter 1: Introduction

1.8 Conceptual Framework

BEFORE
GLOBAL
WARMING

HOW GLOBAL WARMING STARTS??

HUMAN ACTIVITIES

Green house effect Deforestation

GLOBAL
WARMING

IMPACTS OF GLOBAL WARMING

Decline in Water Quality Rise in sea level

Increased Ocean Deterioration of Coastal

Acidification Habitats and Resources

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