RCM Anti-Fish Bombing Update
27 January 2012, 3:41 pm

   Last year, Reef Check Malaysia launched a campaign to raise awareness of the damage caused by fish bombing. We all know that it is still being practiced in Malaysia, especially in East Malaysia. And that is about as much as we are aware of. There is very little data to show the frequency of fish bombing, or the prime locations that fish bombers visit.

In order for effective management of fish bombing, the first phase of the campaign is to collect data on fish bombing incidents. The success of our campaign relies almost totally on the cooperation of the public, especially divers and dive operators. Once ample data is collected in the form of reports of fish bombing activity, we can then move on to working with relevant authorities to eradicate the practice.

So far, we have been receiving reports sporadically, which is a start, but we need more. From our own experience diving around the islands off Semporna, bombing is a daily occurrence, and we are appealing to divers and dive operators alike to help us to collect this essential data.

We here at RCM would like to share excerpts of an email that was sent by a concerned diver diving recently off Mantabuan Island near Semporna.

The concerned diver has dived most of the islands in the Tun Sakaran Marine Park and reckons that Mantabuan has “the most beautiful and diverse coral reef of all”. However, he is shocked at the degradation of the reefs over only a matter of days due to fish bombing.

He states,” I visited Mantabuan again today and am extremely sorry to report that the situation has gotten much worse. On one dive alone there must have been thousands of dead fish on the reef and several new areas had been bombed since I was there a few days ago. Two extremely loud explosions were also heard whilst I was on the first dive. On the final dive a newly dead turtle was seen with a large crack in its shell. I can only think that this occurred as a result of bombing as the turtle was surrounded by dead fish. All the divers were shocked by the sad sights experienced today and could not believe that the practice of fish bombing exists in Sabah.”

The picture painted is a very grim one. And the reality is that this happens every day, and is not limited to just Mantabuan Island. Fish bombing is illegal, and it is up to all of us to put an end to it. Our concerned diver puts it best, “These destructive practices not only damage the reef forever but will also have a knock on effect of a reduction of tourist numbers. If there is no reef left, there will be no fish and therefore no divers in the future. I see that there is a currently a big push to save sharks in Sabah but they will only return to the reef if it is healthy and contains enough prey to support a shark population. It is therefore extremely important that the coral reefs in this area are protected for future generations.”

We urge divers to report incidents of fish bombs if you hear one or know of someone who has heard explosions while diving. It only takes two minutes to submit an online report at http://www.reefcheck.org.my/?page_id=924 or send us a text at 010-3636013. Together, we can make a difference.  

Below are some recently taken pictures of rocks that have been blasted at diving sites in East Malaysia

   

Source: Reef Check Malaysia