Washing machines fished out of reefs

Taking out the trash: (Top) A diver bringing out parts of a washing machine found on the floor bed of a popular diving spot off Pulau Mabul in Semporna. (Left) A diver showing plastic scraps caught in between the reefs in another popular spot off the island.

KOTA KINABALU: Divers and volunteers fished out two washing machines and filled up over 250 bags of rubbish at Pulau Mabul, a popular diving haven off the coast of Semporna.

The mainly plastic rubbish was collected from the island from around the shoreline, under stilt houses and in the water as part of an effort to protect the fragile and unique coral reefs at Pulau Mabul.

The one-day clean-up on Sunday was sponsored by the Tourism and Culture Ministry as part of their One Malaysia Green, 1 Malaysia Clean programme, carried out by Scuba Junkies Marine Week, a conservation event run by the dive operator and joined in by local volunteer group Green Semporna and Kolej Komuniti Semporna.

Scuba Junkie environmental officer David McCann said that rubbish, especially plastic waste, was a major problem worldwide and it was always frustrating to find so much plastic waste in clean-ups.

“We are fortunate in Mabul to have a dedicated group of individuals willing to do something to make a difference and we have the government support to do so,” he said, adding that many schoolchildren also volunteered.

A diver showing ?plastic scraps caught in between the reefs ?in another popular spot? off the island.

Coral reefs are under threat worldwide. Reefs in the Semporna region, around Mabul as well as in Sipadan are known to be some of the most beautiful and diverse in the world, with many unique and rare species of coral found here.

Visitors come from all over the world to enjoy the splendour of the reefs.

It is estimated that the beautiful coral reefs of Malaysia are worth an estimated RM145bil per year, through tourism, coastal protection and as fishing resources for those living near these reefs, said McCann.

He said the cleaning up of beaches and reefs would help prevent deterioration of the reefs and would go a long way towards providing a fighting chance against our planet’s rising temperatures and the coral bleaching associated with it.

It will help to safeguard future tourism revenue as well as a healthy supply of food for coastal communities, he added.