Thirty-eight marine parks off the coast of peninsular Malaysia are facing severe pollution pressures because of rapid development on islands to cater to the tourism industry, warned the Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) today.

"Even though gazetted as marine parks, the islands are not immune from destruction," said MNS' Head of Science and Conservation Nik Mohd Maseri during a press conference at the society's headquarters in Kuala Lumpur.

"Overzealous development, visitations in excess of carrying capacities, over-fishing, and unethical snorkelling and diving activities have reduced the marine parks and the islands into a travesty," Nik said.

Among the islands under threat are the Tioman, Redang, Perhentian and Payar island groups, he said.

"We have islands turned into tax-free havens (Tioman) and going through excessive resort development (Redang).

"And there's the planned construction of untenable accommodation facilities on rocky, small islands (Payar)," he pointed out.

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