Marine Ecosystem: The effect of ecotourism on the protected spatial area of Payar Island Marine Park.

Marine ecotourism is a popular tourist activity, exposing the public to the natural beauties of underwater nature. Malaysia's strategic position in the tropics and proximity to the ocean provides several places and natural habitats for unique underwater ecology. It has attracted many tourists to learn about this incredible biodiversity. However, despite the enthusiasm to discover new worlds, there needs to be more understanding regarding environmental conservation, particularly concerning marine life resources. The study was conducted in Payar Island Marine Park. Site observation was employed as the primary scientific technique for observing and documenting how visitors and Payar island ecosystems operate and behave, while data analysis was structured using the SWOT framework. The study revealed the critical importance of managing the island's carrying capacity. It is imperative to regulate the number of visitors to mitigate potential damages to marine spatial ecosystem, such as coral reefs. Scuba diving activities were identified as a major contributor to coral damage, alongside lack of awareness and harmful tourist behaviours such as fish feeding and coral collection, which disrupt ecological balance. Additionally, some coral communities were observed to be bleaching or deteriorating due to natural processes and climate change-related stressors. To mitigate the effects of ecotourism, it is essential to monitor sensitive areas and regularly update the Conservation and Action Plans to protect the resources of marine parks. Furthermore, the results can be used for future conservation programmes, which will allow more effective preservation initiatives while enhancing public awareness of marine conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]