This book addresses a timely and compelling emerging issue related to the conservation and sustainable use of marine resources and the sustainable development of the coastal community. Marine protected areas (MPAs) make a remarkable contribution to the protection of marine communities by providing sustainable livelihoods, deriving financial benefits from the development of fisheries and tourism, as well as by restoring ocean productivity and preventing further environmental degradation. These areas have been considered the cornerstone of a blue economy due to their substantial economic, social and environmental contributions. However, MPAs around the world are severely hampered by a multitude of issues and challenges such as inefficient management, poor socioeconomic conditions and environmental degradation due to human activities, overexploitation of marine resources, degradation of water quality, massive waste production and climate change. These are the main obstacles to economic, social and environmental sustainability. Hence, a collaborative management approach and an integrated management policy framework is urgently needed for the economic, social, political, cultural, technological, and ecological development of coastal communities.

Introduction (Muhammad Mehedi Masud)....Pages 1-6
An Overview of Global Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) with a Special Reference to Malaysia (Muhammad Mehedi Masud)....Pages 7-26
Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Resources in Malaysia (Muhammad Mehedi Masud)....Pages 27-43
Economic, Social, and Environmental Significance of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) (Muhammad Mehedi Masud)....Pages 45-57
Sustainability Dimensions of Marine Park Community Development in Malaysia (Muhammad Mehedi Masud)....Pages 59-78
Major Challenges to Conservation of Marine Resources and Sustainable Coastal Community Development in Malaysia (Muhammad Mehedi Masud)....Pages 79-100
Collaborative Management: A New Proposition for Sustainable Development of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) (Muhammad Mehedi Masud)....Pages 101-116
An Integrated Management Policy Framework for Sustainable Community Development and Conservation of Marine Resources (Muhammad Mehedi Masud)....Pages 117-134