Kota Kinabalu: State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Christina Liew said she would bring the issue of persistent fish bombing activity off Semporna to the attention of the Sabah Fisheries Department.
A three-member delegation from Semporna Islands Project, a non-profit organisation led by UK Advisor Dr Liz Grimwade, raised this grave concern during a courtesy call on the Minister recently.
“There is no excuse for fish bombing because all our corals will be gone one day, if the menace is not addressed effectively. Destructive fishing is illegal and hurts not only the marine ecological system but also the State’s tourism industry.
“The perpetrators of this crime must be apprehended and prosecuted to act as a deterrent.
“I will discuss the matter with the Sabah Fisheries Department, and check out the status of the Anti-Fish Bombing Committee that used to be active in tackling the problem of rampant fish bombing,” Liew said.
The Minister wants Semporna Islands Project to continue its collaboration with the Board of Trustees of the Sabah Parks, being one of the stakeholders, on community action for fish-bomb-free and coral reef conservation programmes in the Tun Sakaran Marine Park.
While conceding that Marine Police had succeeded in catching the culprits previously, Dr Grimwade said it was quite difficult to nab them (fish bombers) in the act because they escape quickly when they spot the Marine Police boats coming.
“Sometimes they bomb fish in the open sea and sometimes in shallow waters. This is bad for tourism and the environment because it destroys the habitat of marine life,” she said.
Liew was informed that Semporna Islands Project has adopted a sensor system run by Stop Fish Bombing (SFB) Malaysia, which the non-governmental organisation engages to monitor fish bombing in the area in question.
According to Dr Grimwade, the sensors identified a concerning 604 fish bombs in the Semporna area last year (2023).
“This figure highlights the prevalence of such destructive practice by fishermen. However, diver and community reports suggest that even more detonations go undetected, potentially outside the sensor range or coverage areas,” she pointed out.
Briefing the Minister, Communications Manager Marina Aman Sham said Semporna Islands Project was launched in 1998 in recognition of the huge value of the coral reefs and islands in the Semporna area. Its vision is healthy reefs abounding with marine life, bringing benefits to everyone.
“Yet, they face escalating threats from intensive and destructive fishing, pollution, coastal development and climate change.
“Hence, our mission is to protect the outstanding natural features and biodiversity of the area, and at the same time, to promote sustainable use of resources, economic development, and traditional culture,” she explained.
Also present was the Project Coordinator Sofia Johari.
