KOTA KINABALU: Marine biodiversity in Sabah continues to face threats from ghost nets found on the seabed, says the Marine Research Foundation (MRF).
MRF, which has been carrying out repeated cleanup operations and programmes at marine parks and dive sites, including Tunku Abdul Rahman Park (TARP) here, said abandoned fishing gear remained a persistent problem.
Its Plastics Project lead coordinator Chris Chai Chun Xue said MRF’s latest rapid response underwater cleanup at two key dive sites in TARP recovered several ghost nets, including a massive 150m-long piece.
The discovery highlighted the continued presence of abandoned fishing gear in one of Sabah’s most important marine protected areas, she said in a statement on Monday (July 27).
“The troubling reality is that these cleanups are becoming increasingly routine. These ghost nets keep returning to the TARP.
“Over the years, we have seen countless marine animals, such as sea turtles, sharks, rays, crabs, and many others, trapped and killed because of these abandoned nets. It is heartbreaking,” Chai said.
She urged immediate action to remove trash from the marine environment to prevent further loss of marine life.
“However, it (waste removal) is only part of the solution. Until we stop ghost gear at the source, our reefs will remain under constant siege,” she stressed.
Speaking of a recent programme organised by the MRF in collaboration with Sabah Parks and Sabah Dive Rangers, with support from GoAquatic dive company, Chai said the cleanup operations targeted areas where ghost nets have been repeatedly recorded.
“Ghost nets are abandoned, lost, or discarded fishing gear in the water. Floating unchecked through currents and settling onto coral reefs, these nets are likely to entangle, injure, and drown marine animals,” she explained.
Equipped with protective gear provided by Ansell, Chai said 12 volunteer divers navigated reef structures to cut away entangled net lines without damaging the surrounding reefs and safely freeing trapped marine animals.
“For MRF, cleanups following this exact mode of operation have become all-too-familiar. Despite repeated efforts over the years and growing public awareness, the volume of discarded gear entering the marine environment remains undiminished,” she added.
Chai said the MRF and its partners have collected over 3.9 tonnes of ghost nets and marine debris in TARP since 2021.
TARP, a biodiversity hotspot known for its vibrant reefs and rich marine life, faces threats from human marine activity and coastal drift waste.
“MRF calls for stronger measures to prevent gear loss, improve gear marking protocols, and strengthen collaboration among fisheries authorities, the fishing industry and conservation organisations to address the problem at its source,” Chai emphasised.
