State Govt urged to act against rampant fish bombing
Published on: Thursday, February 20, 2020
KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Government should take serious measures to eradicate fish bombing in the State’s waters, said Sabah Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) Chief Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor (pic).
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He said security forces and the Fisheries Department should also continue to double enforcement efforts against fish-bombing activities, which are becoming more widespread in Sabah now.
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“This is because this activity is not only threatening and destroying the fish source and coral reefs but also endangering the life of tourists, especially those going for scuba diving in the coral reef areas,” he said.
Hajiji, who is also Sulaman Assemblyman, said he has raised the fish bombing issue at the Sabah State Legislative Assembly sitting on November 19 last year.
He said the activity is so worrying because not only that the fish bombs can kill the fish, big and small, but will also damage the coral reefs.
He said on July 5,2019, two divers from China and their diving instructor, a local, were killed in waters off Pulau Kalapuan in Semporna, due to the rampant use of fish bombing.
“According to a report by the WWF-Malaysia, the seven seismic detectors installed within the district of Semporna alone recorded 1,195 blasts from June to December of 2018.
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“There were also 24 cases of arrests made on the use of fish bombs in 2018 and 39 cases of arrests made as of the end of last year. This is very worrying for us.
“Therefore, I urge the Government to take stern action to curb this irresponsible acts, “ he added.
He hoped the state authorities hold awareness and education campaigns for communities where fish bombing activities occur.
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