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Olivia Miwil New Straits Times 2 Sep 19; KOTA KINABALU: The threat posed by �ghost nets� � fishing nets discarded or lost in the sea � to marine life forms was evident recently when a dive and recreation team from Gayana Marine Resort discovered two bamboo sharks battling for their lives in the surrounding waters off Malohom bay here. The team managed to rescue one shark, but could not save the other. The resort was conducting a cleanup operation following the discovery of ghost nets in the surrounding waters of Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park (TARP). �Initially, we had only wanted to look for new dive sites to bring our guests to. �However, during our recce, we were shocked to find patches of corals covered by ghost nets,� said the resort�s operations manager Alfonso Valirianus. Alfonso said it was sad to see beautiful and healthy coral reefs being damaged and broken by the weight of the abandoned fish nets. The team then brought back some of the living coral fragments entangled in th...

Olivia Miwil New Straits Times 27 Aug 19; KOTA KINABALU: It was reported yesterday that Malaysia was among the 40 countries that opposed a proposal to protect certain species of sharks and rays from exploitation. Tabled by Mexico at the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) conference, the proposal which would require ratification this week, would see the marine species no longer being traded unless it can be proven that their fishing would not impact their survival. 102 countries voted in favour of the move. Representing Malaysia at the conference was the Water, Land and Natural Resources Ministry. Sabah Shark Protection Association Aderick Chong told the New Straits Times that the state should take the lead when it comes to the protection of endangered shark species in its waters. It was reported that among the newly protected species include mako sharks, wedgefishes and guitarfishes. �Wedgefishes and guitarsharks are easy to identify and (thus) enforceable...

Avila Geraldine New Straits Times 14 Aug 19; KOTA KINABALU: A Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) reef expert has welcomed the one-month closure of popular Sipadan Island to give way for marine recovery effort. Marine ecology lecturer Muhammad Ali Syed Hussein said the decision by Sabah Parks to temporarily close the island was a good start to reduce and remove stress from the coral reefs. �As Sipadan is popular (for scuba diving activities), it would be difficult to close it for a long period of time. A one-month closure is a good start. �It will help control the quota (of divers) while ensuring the reefs are maintained in good condition,� he said. The one-month closure of the renowned Sipadan will only begin in December next year. The directive from Sabah Parks was made at the request of dive operators. December was picked as it is the low season in terms of diver arrivals. Ali believed that Sabah Parks was committed to ensuring the protection of corals and marine life, and the body had...