Servay data on fishermen perception of marine protected areas in West Coast of Malaysia

The dataset presents findings on fishermen's perceptions of marine protected areas (MPAs), along with demographic data and profiles of the fishing community. Employing a stratified random sampling technique, data were collected from 800 fishermen along the West Coast of Peninsular Malaysia (Perlis, Kedah, Pulau Pinang, Perak, Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Melaka and West Johor). Data were obtained through face-to-face interviews using a self-structured questionnaire. Descriptive analysis utilizing frequencies and percentages was conducted on the data. The findings, illustrated in tables and figures, offered valuable insights into MPAs and the socio-economic status of fishermen, aiding government officials, policymakers, and researchers in enhancing the enforcement of marine protected areas to meet global targets. By 2030, Malaysia aimed to expand MPAs to 10 percent in line with international commitments at the United Nations with the current area being approximately 5.35 percent of the waters in Peninsular Malaysia and Borneo.本数据集呈现了渔民对海洋保护区（marine protected areas, MPAs）的认知调研结果，同时涵盖渔业社区的人口统计数据与群体概况。本研究采用分层随机抽样方法，从马来半岛西海岸（玻璃市、吉打、槟城、霹雳、雪兰莪、森美兰、马六甲及西柔佛）的800名渔民处收集数据。数据通过自制结构化问卷的面对面访谈方式获取。研究对数据开展了以频次与百分比为统计指标的描述性分析。研究结果以表格与图形可视化呈现，为海洋保护区相关情况及渔民的社会经济状况提供了极具价值的洞察，可助力政府官员、政策制定者与研究人员强化海洋保护区执法工作，以契合全球既定目标。按照联合国的国际承诺，马来西亚曾设定目标，将于2030年前将海洋保护区覆盖率提升至10%；当前马来半岛与婆罗洲海域的海洋保护区覆盖率约为5.35%。