Activities Report Jul 2000 Newsletter

THREAT TO SABAH FISHING GROUND 
       News of using bombs, poison and illegal trawling causing widespread damage to coral reefs and fish stocking are not new to public knowledge. Use of these destructive fishing techniques is illegal and has been curbed to some extent but still continues in more remote areas, for example Semporna reef in Sabah. There has been a marked decline in fisheries over the last decade in these areas.
       Breakage of corals as a result of fish blasting or trawling close to the reefs, and removal of coral for building material are the main causes of reef destruction. Considerable damage has been done in the past, particularly on the west coast of Sabah, especially in Kota Kinabalu and Labuan areas.
    Also reefs around Kudat Town were noticeably damaged in the 1970’s by coral mining and dynamiting. Dynamite fishing involves throwing a homemade bomb into a school of pelagic fish or into a reef. The underwater shock kills all animals within a given radius (depending on the size of the bomb) and sometimes kills or maims the fish in the process. The method is totally unacceptable on the following grounds:
The use of traditional fish poison (‘tuba’) is not well studied, but from a bio-diversity standpoint, causes the same problem as dynamite. Modern chemicals are sometimes used to ‘stun’ fish for live fish markets and aquarium trade.
       The Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) is greatly concerned regarding this matter. Such methods will lead to dire consequences to our coral reef ecosystems and if these activities continue, it would result in a great loss to the nation. MNS hopes that the authorities of Sabah and other states will put up a better enforcement and stop these illegal activities immediately. However, for more effective enforcement, adequate funding should be provided to these agencies, or we may soon lose our  fisheries and tourism resource.
Kuala Lumpur, 10 April 2000 

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Created on 5th Jul 2000