Thursday, June 02, 2005

Concern over Sipadan marine life


BY RUBEN SARIO

KOTA KINABALU: There is concern again over whether Sabah’s renowned diving destination of Pulau Sipadan is losing its lustre with reports of a decline in the sightings of marine life there.

What is even more worrying is the sight of plastic bags in the seas around the island and fishing lines getting caught in damaged corals near Pulau Sipadan jetty.

This discovery by French diving writer Martine Carret has prompted State Assistant Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Datuk Karim Bujang to direct Sabah Parks officials to investigate any deterioration on the island.

“A complaint like this warrants a deeper probe,” he said yesterday.

Carret, who was on her third visit to Sipadan last week, told a local newspaper that she noticed the absence of schools of barracudas, and fewer turtles and humphead parrot fish.

She said the situation was far different from that in 1999 when she first dived off Sipadan, and again in 2003, when schools of such fish were a common sight.

“Something has happened to Sipadan. When I came in 1999, the resorts were there and their people cleaned up the beaches every morning, so there was no rubbish and no trouble with plastic bags,” she said.

Borneo Divers Sdn Bhd director Clement Lee, however, disagreed that marine life in Sipadan is on the wane.

Lee said the ban on night diving had actually contributed to an increase in marine creatures.

“I have seen turtles the size of a dinner plate and their presence is one of the best indicators of the health of marine life there,” said Lee.

Courtesy: The Star

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