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Talang-Satang National Park Area: 19,414 ha Locality: Kuching Division Year gazetted: 1999

This is the first National Park in Sarawak to consist primarily of a marine area. It has been created for the primary purpose of marine turtle conservation. It consists of two sections: the Satang Section (approximately 9,894 ha), and the Talang-Talang section (approximately 9,520 ha). This park includes all four islands of Pulau Satang Besar, Pulau Satang Kecil, Pulau Talang-Talang Besar, and Pulau Talang-Talang Kecil, and the area of sea and sea bed for 4.8 km (3-statute miles) from the highest point of each island. This will exclude all titled leasehold land on the island, except in cases for which settlement or agreements are negotiated with the titleholders. A permit from the Forest Department is necessary for entry to the Park.

The Park is managed as a combination of nature tourism and conservation. Marine education and recreation that does not have a negative impact on the marine environment will be encouraged. Owing to the sensitive nature of the marine turtles (at Talang-Talang) and the small size of the islands, this section will remain off limits to visitors. Satang Besar Island will be developed in co-operation with the landowners as a tourism destination.

The rights and practices of the local landowners, villagers, and fishermen are recognized. The Forest Department works in close co-operation with them to ensure sustainable usage of the resources they are entitled to. Indeed, the local population is very supportive of the formation of the National Park because it creates employment, and helps to boost fish stocks for the area.

The Park consists of two areas:

• The Core Area.
  This is an area of 2km radius from the highest point of each island surrounding each of the 4 islands, as well as a 200m radius around Pulau Tukong Ara and Pulau Tukong Banun. These core areas are further sub-divided into:
  Public Appreciation Zones. Visitors will be allowed to enter with a permit and under constant supervision of park staff. It is a "look but do not touch zone".
  Conservation/research zones. These are strictly off limits to visitors.

• The Complimentary Areas.
  These are areas from 2km radius to 4.8km radius (from the highest point of each island) surrounding each of the 4 islands. These areas are not afforded absolute protection. Certain fishing, boating, and diving activities will be permitted.
  The area of the Sarawak Turtle Islands is also protected under a number of other government regulations.

The Turtles (Prevention of Disturbance) Rules, 1962.
Currently the three islands of Pulau Talang-Talang besar, Pulau Talang-Talang kecil, and Pulau Satang besar are restricted areas under the above Sarawak State Government rules. The rules state that no vessel, other than a government vessel on official duty, shall enter within half a nautical mile of the low water mark of the above three islands, except with a permit granted by, or on behalf of, the Turtle's Board.

Fisheries (Prohibited Areas) Regulations 1994.
Currently, the Maritime waters within two nautical miles of the outermost points of the islands (as measured at the low water mark) of: Pulau Talang-Talang besar; Pulau Talang-Talang kecil; and Pulau Satang besar; are Fisheries (Prohibited Areas) under section 61 of the Fisheries Act 1985. The Department of Fisheries, Malaysia, controls this regulation. All forms of fishing and collecting are banned, however no permit is necessary to enter the area.

Now that the National Park has been constituted, all of these agencies will be working in close co-operation to monitor and conserve the area.

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