Fostering marine life: The volunteer divers installing coral frames.
KOTA KINABALU: Divers from various non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and tourism companies have carried out an underwater clean-up in Sabah’s east coast Semporna district.
Twelve volunteers from Green Semporna, Mabul Youth Climate Leaders, Seahorse Sipadan Scuba and JH Scuba, among others, collected rubbish during the exercise at Mabul Island on Friday.
The event was held in conjunction with the International Coastal Cleanup 2022.
Green Semporna co-founder Adzmin Fatta said the initiative was also carried out at Timba-Timba Island, also off Semporna, yesterday with more divers involved.
He said about 20 volunteers helped to clean up in the area, which included turtle nesting sites.
Coral restoration works were also carried out at Mabul, where 50 coral frames were deployed yesterday, he said when contacted.
Adzmin said the volunteers did not actually plan to carry out the clean-up work on Malaysia Day.
“It just happened (coincidentally) that we did the clean-up on this very day.
“I think it serves as a reminder that we can do many things to celebrate and appreciate Malaysia.
“We must continue advocating for a cleaner environment and for the preservation of marine habitats in Malaysia,” he said.
Adzmin said in conjunction with the historic day, the divers carried the Jalur Gemilang as well as the Sabah state flag.
“This is to remind us that Sept 16 is a significant date when Sabah agreed to form a new country called Malaysia.
“We wish that our country continues to strive for the better and most impor- tantly, uplift under-served communities and protect our marine environment,” said Adzmin.
