Security threat issues in Mersing waters and the surrounding islands

Mersing waters including their islands were gazetted as a marine park in 1985 mainly because the government wants to preserve the marine treasures and valuable artifacts found on the seabed. As protected areas, marine parks are so vulnerable to damage mostly caused by human action. This article aims at examining the threats faced by Mersing Marine Park and to discuss efforts in maintaining the security and preservation of the marine park. Data collection was done through secondary sources such as from the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency Marine Department, Johor Marine Park Department, Fisheries Department and Marine Police, newspapers. Primary data was collected through personal interviews. The study reveals that the islands around Mersing are facing issues associated with the threat of piracy, invasion by foreign fishermen, breaching of fishing conditions and selling of valuable artifacts from the seabed. This article also discusses some implications of the threats and proposes security measures that can be taken to proctect Mersing waters.