Title: Optimising space allocation for blacktip reef shark conservation in Pulau Payar, Malaysia

Authors: Masnita Misiran; Zahayu Md Yusof; Hasimah Sapiri; Nur Syaza Azzimi; Nor Shafarah Sharizal; Farah Aqilah Anuar

Addresses: School of Quantitative Sciences, Universiti Utara Malaysia, 06010 UUM Sintok, Kedah, Malaysia; Centre for Testing, Measurement and Appraisal, Universiti Utara Malaysia, 06010 Sintok Kedah, Malaysia ' School of Quantitative Sciences, Universiti Utara Malaysia, 06010 UUM Sintok, Kedah, Malaysia; Institute of Strategic Industrial Decision Modelling, School of Quantitative Sciences, Universiti Utara Malaysia, 06010 Sintok Kedah, Malaysia ' School of Quantitative Sciences, Universiti Utara Malaysia, 06010 UUM Sintok, Kedah, Malaysia ' School of Quantitative Sciences, Universiti Utara Malaysia, 06010 UUM Sintok, Kedah, Malaysia ' School of Quantitative Sciences, Universiti Utara Malaysia, 06010 UUM Sintok, Kedah, Malaysia ' School of Quantitative Sciences, Universiti Utara Malaysia, 06010 UUM Sintok, Kedah, Malaysia

Abstract: Malaysia is among the countries that are heavily exploiting sharks for their fins, import activity and consumption. A proposed countermeasure to combat this activity is by introducing a specific space for breeding and conserving available sharks in one of the dedicated marine parks in Pulau Payar. A space allocation problem in Pulau Payar for blacktip reef sharks is constructed together with its identified constraints. The findings suggest an optimal area of 1,000 metres in length and 500 metres in width is sufficient and can accommodate 291 numbers of blacktip reef sharks in this vicinity. The security of the area is of great importance and must be enhanced. The area can also be used to educate and heighthen people's appreciation of marine life.

Keywords: shark conservation; linear programming; optimisation; Malaysia.

DOI: 10.1504/IER.2021.121660

Interdisciplinary Environmental Review, 2021 Vol.21 No.3/4, pp.238 - 248

Received: 12 Nov 2020
Accepted: 01 Apr 2021
Published online: 23 Mar 2022 *

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