Impacts of Coastal Land Reclamation and Sand Mining Activities: Perspectives from Coastal Fishing Communities and Ecotourism Providers

The objective of this study is to understand the impacts of land reclamation and sand mining activities on coastal fishermen and coastal tourism providers. Set on Penang Island, a total of 22 coastal fishermen and 11 coastal tourism operators were interviewed using semi-structured, in-depth interviews. The findings were analysed using thematic analysis. This study discovered that previously, fishing communities and coastal tourism operated as separate entities. With the rising environmental degradation, pollution, and limited space for fishing areas due to reclamation activities, the separation between these two entities is now diluted, and they are mostly reliant on one another to sustain their operations and businesses. Over the past decade, their relationship has grown stronger, to the extent that a few respondents have identified themselves as having dual identities, balancing both professions. The impacts are presented based on economic, social and environmental categories. The economic impacts include higher seafood and travel costs, social impacts involve fading fisherman identities and occupational inheritance, and environmental impacts are marine pollution, altered landscapes, and damaged spawning grounds from land reclamation and sand mining. The repercussions of these impacts often displace coastal fishing communities, leaving them with a sense of emptiness when not at sea and affecting their mental health. Other repercussions include lowering tourists' appreciation and emotional experience, and reducing their intention to revisit. The results emphasise the need for integrated, sustainable approaches to preserve coastal environments and livelihoods for the benefit of current and future generations. The findings can be used to enlighten policymakers, researchers, and industry players in facilitating the integration of a sustainable and blue economy into policy-making and development projects. This integration is crucial for ensuring the protection of the coastal environment, preventing the marginalization of local fishing communities, and providing an authentic experience of coastal ecotourism.