Sipidan Island Park is located on the east coast of Malaysian Borneo in the Celebes Sea, near the border of Indonesia and the Philippines. The island is formed of living coral sitting on top of a volcanic cone, covered in lush jungle. The island itself was declared a bird sanctuary in 1933, and the surrounding waters were declared a marine park in 2004. In the 1980s it became a popular dive spot after it was visited by Jacques Cousteau. Sipidan Island Park has hundreds of coral species and more than 400 fish species. It is a feeding ground for reef fish. Some of the species found in the park include such as parrot fish, butterfly fish, angel fish, barracudas, eels, shrimp, lobsters, sea cucumbers, starfish, turtles, black-tipped reef sharks, hammerhead sharks, manta rays, large cuttlefish, lion fish, leaf fish, frog fish among others. A range of regulations are in place to protect the park. In 2009, all tourist accommodation on the island was closed to protect it. Penalties for these offences include anywhere from 1 to 5 years imprisonment, depending on the offence and large fines. It is an offence to:
0 Comments
|
AuthorsLorraine Chaffer Categories
All
Archives
June 2024
|