Author Topic: Dynamite Fishing in Mabul Island  (Read 1177 times)

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harfiez

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Dynamite Fishing in Mabul Island
« on: August 07, 2007, 11:47:14 AM »

Hello Divers/Conservationists!

Almost a daily activities of dynamite fishing around Mabul waters by illegal immigrants mostly by damn Phillipinos and the local police base commander in Mabul is sitting on their a** doing nothing about it. I've made a visit to the base to lodge a report but no further action was taken during my stay there at Uncle Chang's Mabul/Sipadan Dive Lodge from 1st to 4th August 2007.

A group of us was having a fun dives around Froggy Lair and Seaventures Oil Rig on the morning hour of 2nd Aug 2007 while the water tides were running from high to low when the dynamites exploded twice, it feels like it's just explode next to us.

To all members...I'm seeking your kind advice and helping hand to reach any other authorities or our governments to put a stop on these activities in our very own waters.

Harfiez Azmi

Offline WATERCOW

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Re: Dynamite Fishing in Mabul Island
« Reply #1 on: September 27, 2007, 02:30:08 PM »

WHAT???? I cant believe this. Hey guys, lets do something about it to bring it to our government attention.

Offline Kapal Selam

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Re: Dynamite Fishing in Mabul Island
« Reply #2 on: September 27, 2007, 02:36:05 PM »

Yeah.... and the local authorities should kick out the Phillipine immigrants from Mabul. Too many of them & one can see how much rubbish they produce. In fact, the island population today IS Philipines....gotta to do soomething. Today fish bomb...next what???

Offline trigger fish

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Re: Dynamite Fishing in Mabul Island
« Reply #3 on: September 27, 2007, 02:41:16 PM »

These ppl are nuts  : :sad10:    :sad10:
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Re: Dynamite Fishing in Mabul Island
« Reply #4 on: September 27, 2007, 02:52:35 PM »

got no marine force at Mabul aa?

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Re: Dynamite Fishing in Mabul Island
« Reply #5 on: October 05, 2007, 04:51:38 PM »


Report to MMEA at 03-8943 4001/ The nearest base at Sandakan.

Offline harfiez

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Re: Dynamite Fishing in Mabul Island
« Reply #6 on: October 06, 2007, 12:33:54 PM »

got no marine force at Mabul aa?


no marin or fisheries enforcements in mabul la bro...that's why i'm so pissed off when it happened

Offline harfiez

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Re: Dynamite Fishing in Mabul Island
« Reply #7 on: October 06, 2007, 12:43:36 PM »

WHAT???? I cant believe this. Hey guys, lets do something about it to bring it to our government attention.


how can we be sure that the proper agencies will take a swift action on this matter?so much of bureucracy and keep on blaming each other of who shall be responsible to investigate it..i've reported this matter to Sabah Park in Tawau but until now they keep telling me that they're still in the investigation process


Offline John F SeaDemon

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Re: Dynamite Fishing in Mabul Island
« Reply #8 on: October 06, 2007, 01:45:21 PM »

WHAT???? I cant believe this. Hey guys, lets do something about it to bring it to our government attention.


how can we be sure that the proper agencies will take a swift action on this matter?so much of bureucracy and keep on blaming each other of who shall be responsible to investigate it..i've reported this matter to Sabah Park in Tawau but until now they keep telling me that they're still in the investigation process


Like Maritimers said, report to the MMEA. Then leave the worries to them. You would have done your part already then.

Offline DrunkenDiver

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Re: Dynamite Fishing in Mabul Island
« Reply #9 on: October 06, 2007, 01:54:12 PM »

And we local's need to daftar sana daftar sini just for the sake of enjoying our OWN water area..while those damn philie's is still poluting!! where got road(mana ada jalan)!!

Let's go and BOMB their catch in their own kitchen!!
En.Rahmat..mintak Belacan seketul!!

Offline John F SeaDemon

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Re: Dynamite Fishing in Mabul Island
« Reply #10 on: October 06, 2007, 02:04:49 PM »

And we local's need to daftar sana daftar sini just for the sake of enjoying our OWN water area..while those damn philie's is still poluting!! where got road(mana ada jalan)!!

Let's go and BOMB their catch in their own kitchen!!
En.Rahmat..mintak Belacan seketul!!


Haha..I thought Mr Jebat would have that. He's always a great cook on overseas trips.

Offline harfiez

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Re: Dynamite Fishing in Mabul Island
« Reply #11 on: October 06, 2007, 02:08:46 PM »

WHAT???? I cant believe this. Hey guys, lets do something about it to bring it to our government attention.


how can we be sure that the proper agencies will take a swift action on this matter?so much of bureucracy and keep on blaming each other of who shall be responsible to investigate it..i've reported this matter to Sabah Park in Tawau but until now they keep telling me that they're still in the investigation process


Like Maritimers said, report to the MMEA. Then leave the worries to them. You would have done your part already then.


i'm not sure of whether i can agree to leave the worries to them as i've found out about many reports and complaints has been made throughout various agencies regarding this problem especially to MMEA, the evidence of this illicit activities is still out there but nothing much has been done so far

it's our own government that gives these populations the right to stay there as a refugees due to trouble and chaotic political turmoil in southern philippines

we must keep on searching the roots or origin of this problem in order to help resolve it without any uprising of prejudice and sentiments, as for my personal opinion our government shouldn't allow or granted the rights to these people to stay in mabul without any proper studies on the impact to our own beloved waters

Offline John F SeaDemon

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Re: Dynamite Fishing in Mabul Island
« Reply #12 on: October 06, 2007, 02:53:39 PM »

There is more to it than meets the eye - Optimus Prime.

You should direct your complaints to the Sabah State government then because according to the agreement, they have near-autonomy as far as running their state is concerned. The other thing that you can do is to go and stop those boats and bombers themselves. There is only so much that the government agencies can do with limited manpower and materiels, and they are more concerned about terrorist groups infiltrating the border as far as Sabah is concerned.  Letting the Filipinos in here has a lot to do with saving lives.  Yes, they shouldn't bomb reefs etc. One or two may be caught. but it is like the traffic police trying to enforce the helmet ruling in the kampungs. But don't saving lives mean anything to us anymore?  This is not just about the Government of Sabah or the Federal Government of Malaysia. This is also about the request by the OIC for us to give assistance to them since back in the 70s.

I was a military personnel, and have been there.  You can ask the rest who are still in service like Mocha, Stonefins, Putradiver and Maritimers on how vast the sea is and how much can we do in policing our waters, and how to balance things without upsetting too much.

The root of the origin is in the Philippines. And believe me, like in Southern Thailand, the government is doing something in those places to try help them.

So, if you think you cannot physically stop the bombers, then I suggest you report to the MMEA and let them do their job as best they can. Other than that, just highlight in the papers or write to Azmi Khalid. Every single little steps that you take will contribute to the well-being of the reefs in Mabul and elsewhere. But do only what you possibly can and don't try to save the whole world in one day.
« Last Edit: October 06, 2007, 02:55:36 PM by SeaFar KingDemon Raptus Regaliter »

Offline Kapal Selam

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Re: Dynamite Fishing in Mabul Island
« Reply #13 on: October 06, 2007, 03:50:48 PM »

There is more to it than meets the eye - Optimus Prime.

You should direct your complaints to the Sabah State government then because according to the agreement, they have near-autonomy as far as running their state is concerned. The other thing that you can do is to go and stop those boats and bombers themselves. There is only so much that the government agencies can do with limited manpower and materiels, and they are more concerned about terrorist groups infiltrating the border as far as Sabah is concerned.  Letting the Filipinos in here has a lot to do with saving lives.  Yes, they shouldn't bomb reefs etc. One or two may be caught. but it is like the traffic police trying to enforce the helmet ruling in the kampungs. But don't saving lives mean anything to us anymore?  This is not just about the Government of Sabah or the Federal Government of Malaysia. This is also about the request by the OIC for us to give assistance to them since back in the 70s.

I was a military personnel, and have been there.  You can ask the rest who are still in service like Mocha, Stonefins, Putradiver and Maritimers on how vast the sea is and how much can we do in policing our waters, and how to balance things without upsetting too much.

The root of the origin is in the Philippines. And believe me, like in Southern Thailand, the government is doing something in those places to try help them.

So, if you think you cannot physically stop the bombers, then I suggest you report to the MMEA and let them do their job as best they can. Other than that, just highlight in the papers or write to Azmi Khalid. Every single little steps that you take will contribute to the well-being of the reefs in Mabul and elsewhere. But do only what you possibly can and don't try to save the whole world in one day.


Now I understand better how things work in reality....thanks SeaDemon. BTW, I was in Mabul at the same time when Azmi Khalid & the sexy Datin Normala went diving there earlier this year. Nope, did not dive together nor see them. Was informed by the resort manager. Trying hard going around to get a glimpse of the couple (yes...I carry a camera along just in case...). Perhaps that would be a good moment to tell Tan Sri about the Mabul problem. Or could it be wrong timing?? Hmm...

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Re: Dynamite Fishing in Mabul Island
« Reply #14 on: October 06, 2007, 08:46:43 PM »

this subject have been discuss a thousand times by the resorts managments on mabul and kapalai and actions taken to let the relavant authorities be aware of the situation.

but every time i go there i still hear that familiar compression-decompression blast when diving.

its bad for the fish industry, tourism, diving and general safety overall.

but let us not point our fingers on one particular minority....have you seen it for your self?

but i agree with SD. enfocement if difficult. may be because on failure of imagination, but i cant imagine of a particular system of enfocement that would be effective. it is as good as random.

education may be the goal we are after, but i have not seen any authorities or relavant parties that may be effected taken this particular step.

or may be we should have more of those twin 250s zodiac with GPMGs mounted up front and patrol the sea and blast any poachers that comes our way...

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Re: Dynamite Fishing in Mabul Island
« Reply #15 on: October 07, 2007, 12:13:45 AM »

Hi all,

Well m not condoning the act of dynamite fishing. However, before we make very hurtful remarks we should also think of the root of this problem. Some of the fisherman are driven to poverty, thus resort to dynamite fishing.

We should also do our part by not buying products that will encourage the activity. Stop the buying, hopefully the killing will too. When do we as divers actually stop to think, we will stop taking shark fin soup? Altho u may say its a non-genuine shark fin, any related items does encourage the killing of sharks. Stop having sea fish aquarium for example, its a simple act that can start with us. We have the power to stop this, it starts with us, stop buying and hopefully the killing will 2.

Just my 2 cents opinion.  :)

Offline harfiez

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Re: Dynamite Fishing in Mabul Island
« Reply #16 on: October 07, 2007, 12:48:45 AM »

education may be the goal we are after, but i have not seen any authorities or relavant parties that may be effected taken this particular step.

or may be we should have more of those twin 250s zodiac with GPMGs mounted up front and patrol the sea and blast any poachers that comes our way...


i couldn't help but to agree with mephisto regarding this matter.

perhaps it's more sensation after sumone may get hurt or maybe a vast area of coral reefs around mabul & kapalai has been breach by this sort of activities.i can relate and understand of how the enforcement agencies works around whenever there's a shortage of manpower and other resources just to cover a thousands of square miles of our waters.

perhaps the survival instinct as a human being in order to survive and provide their families with proper meal on the table drives them to carry out such a devastating activities on a daily basis..i also got a chance to walk around their village witnessing nearly half a dozen of stalls selling marine creatures product such as shark teeth, seashells and etc.

i knew that i can't save the whole world in one day even before i became a diver

probably by giving them a knowledge and education of sustainable economy throughout the entire range of communities might ease some pressure to our own beloved waters..

i just wish that our future generations can enjoy the same pleasure and sea heritage as we have today    

  

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Re: Dynamite Fishing in Mabul Island
« Reply #17 on: October 07, 2007, 03:26:47 AM »

probably by giving them a knowledge and education of sustainable economy throughout the entire range of communities might ease some pressure to our own beloved waters..

i just wish that our future generations can enjoy the same pleasure and sea heritage as we have today


There you go, bro.  ;)

Education is the only hope we have apart from trying to enforce notwithstanding the limitations that we have.

Do as Bobo, I, and some other local divers do by writing to the papers about the imminent destruction of our reefs, and relate to them the importance of the reefs to the overall marine ecosystem. You can even organise programs related to Project AWARE/Reef Check with the local community.  The more people are armed with the sense of belonging and protection of the marine environment, the easier the task would be.

Keep shining the light in the papers and somewhere someone will take notice.

At least Azmi Khalid's Ministry has banned sharks fins soup as part of the Ministry's dinner menu.

Offline harfiez

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Re: Dynamite Fishing in Mabul Island
« Reply #18 on: October 08, 2007, 12:11:16 AM »

probably by giving them a knowledge and education of sustainable economy throughout the entire range of communities might ease some pressure to our own beloved waters..

i just wish that our future generations can enjoy the same pleasure and sea heritage as we have today


There you go, bro.  ;)

Education is the only hope we have apart from trying to enforce notwithstanding the limitations that we have.

Do as Bobo, I, and some other local divers do by writing to the papers about the imminent destruction of our reefs, and relate to them the importance of the reefs to the overall marine ecosystem. You can even organise programs related to Project AWARE/Reef Check with the local community.  The more people are armed with the sense of belonging and protection of the marine environment, the easier the task would be.

Keep shining the light in the papers and somewhere someone will take notice.

At least Azmi Khalid's Ministry has banned sharks fins soup as part of the Ministry's dinner menu.


Dear KD

thank u very much for the positive vibes, relentless support & useful advice with regards to this issue, i'm so delighted with an idea from shaft to start with our own environment wings of MUW

i do realize that it's not goin to be a smooth ride when it comes to educations and i personally admit that i can't do this all by myselves unless if most of us are goin to be into this thingie together, i'm sure with pools of talents, skills, expertise, knowledge and etc among MUW members we can pull this thing together, bring a change and get the end results 

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Re: Dynamite Fishing in Mabul Island
« Reply #19 on: October 23, 2007, 11:50:44 PM »

Any comments / actions from MSDA?

 [-(

Offline harfiez

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Re: Dynamite Fishing in Mabul Island
« Reply #20 on: October 26, 2007, 07:51:24 PM »

Any comments / actions from MSDA?

 [-(


no news, feedbacks or whatsoever  :$

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Re: Dynamite Fishing in Mabul Island
« Reply #21 on: November 05, 2007, 01:35:02 PM »


Biasa lah.... When we went to Sipadan last few months ago, also same. We heard it.
So is it, MUW will take action ?????   :angel8: :angel8: