In recent years, there has been a steady increase in illegal fishing practices in and around the islands of Borneo. Mabul is one of the islands most severely affected and it is now recognised that the reason for the quality of muck diving in Mabul is simply a result of the usage of dynamite and cyanide by local fishermen.

Dynamite/Blast Fishing And Other Illegal Fishing Methods

Dynamite or blast fishing is the practice of using explosives to kill or stun schools of fish for easy collection. This method can be extremely damaging to the surrounding ecosystem, as the explosions often completely destroy the underlying habitat (including coral reefs) that supports marine life. This illegal method also poses a real risk to fishermen, who may end up with serious injuries due to the dangerous nature of the explosives used, which are frequently improvised.

Some of the other methods commonly used by fishermen include, trawling, irresponsible trap placement, reef 'gleaning' and the use of cyanide as a fish anesthetic.

Stop Illegal Fishing Practices

We implore the Board of Trustees of Sabah Parks and the Malaysian government to once and for all to put an end to dynamite/blast fishing as well as other illegal fishing practices in the country and especially in Borneo.

As divers, it is very distressing to not only hear explosions while diving but also see dead and dying fish and other marine life on the coral reefs. This was recently experienced and witnessed first hand in Mabul, Sipadan and Kapalai, some of the most important islands in Sabah and Borneo as a whole.

The coral reefs need to be protected so that biodiversity is retained and the value of the ocean for tourism, fishing and as a provider of life is not lost forever. There needs to be better awareness, constant monitoring and/or enforcement by the government, or a declaration that the area is an official marine protected area where fishing is banned (i.e. the neighbouring Tun Sakaran Marine Park) to prevent these methods from being used.