(MY) Letters page - Do more to protect marine parks

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Friday September 30, 2005 - The Star

 

 

Do more to protect marine parks

 

I VISITED Malaysia between April and May. It was a very pleasant stay in

general.

 

As an angler and diver, I wanted to sample both angling and diving in

Malaysia. I had an excellent few days fishing for sailfish off Kuala Rompin.

 

I was told by our fishing guide that all fishing-related activities,

including recreational fishing, is forbidden within two nautical miles of

islands designated as marine parks.

 

I was a little taken aback about recreational fishing being banned, as many

other countries encourage recreational fishing in marine parks or designated

areas within these parks as a major revenue earner.

 

However, after my successful fishing trip in which three sailfish were

caught and released, I went to Tioman island to do some diving.

 

The island is wonderful and I had some beautiful diving experiences there.

There were beautiful corals, and so many wonderful fish to see.

 

I commend the Government of Malaysia for creating such a marine park to

preserve this wonderful ecosystem.

 

There were, however, a few things that bothered me. Commercial fishing boats

were seen fishing with nets inside the marine park area.

 

I am sure the ecosystem will not die if a few anglers fish with a line for

fun or for their cooking pots, but it will hurt the system irreparably when

there is commercial fishing with nets.

 

Whilst diving, I also came across many underwater cages with fish such as

groupers and snappers in them, again within the marine park.

 

I opened the cages to release the fish. If this area is to be preserved,

then such activities must be stopped.

 

I was also told that commercial fishermen are targeting the sailfish and

selling them for fertiliser at ridiculously low prices.

 

A sailfish in the sea is worth many thousands of ringgit, not the RM10 or

RM20 they are sold for.

 

As a German policeman, I feel Malaysia's enforcement efforts need to be

upgraded to protect these wonderful areas.

 

I will come back again to visit the phenomenal underwater world of Malaysia.

And I hope it will still be there, for both diving and recreational fishing.

 

 

 

THOMAS HAEMMERLE,

 

Bavaria,

 

Germany.

 

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