KOTA KINABALU: Trash in the sea continues to plague divers in Sabah’s diving haven of Semporna, with some divers and dive instructors saying the marine pollution is worsening.
Aquila Chu, a dive instructor from Kota Kinabalu, has been bringing tourists from other countries to various sites including Sipadan Island since 2023, shared the problem in a Facebook post recently.
"Visit Semporna? Go direct to the islands if you do not want to see this part of town..," he said in a caption for pictures of trash, especially water bottles, in the sea.
The 41-year-old was irked by the worsening cleanliness in the town, stating that as more people reside in and visit these areas, there is bound to be more rubbish as well.
Chu, who is also a member of Sabah Diving Squad Club (DDC), said many residents living in water villages and on islands have no access to rubbish collection facilities.
“People often say these islanders are not educated about waste management, and that is partly true,” he said, explaining that these people would not bother about the environment when clean drinking water itself is already a problem for them.
“But the main issue is that there is no place for them to throw rubbish," he said.
Likewise, the club's programme director Yong Lip Khiong said waters off Sabah capital are equally polluted by similar domestic waste, with plastic bottles being the most prevalent.
"Some plastic bottles have even become 'homes' for marine life. These plastics not only pollute the ocean but also cause irreversible harm to marine creatures and seabirds.
"Once the ocean is polluted, both marine life and humans become victims of this pollution,” he said, adding that marine litter is not only the responsibility of the government but also the responsibility of every citizen.
Yong, a divemaster, suggested for visitors and water villagers to start by reducing the use of plastic products, properly sorting and recycling waste, and avoiding littering.
"If everyone works together, the ocean will become cleaner, and future generations will be able to continue enjoying its beauty,” he said.
