‘Rubbish Free Campaign’ on Banggi Island
A photography competition held at the Banggi Environmental Awareness Centre (BEAC) in Karakit on Banggi Island late last month marked the beginning of the ‘Rubbish Free Campaign’ on Banggi Island. The campaign, organised by WWF-Malaysia, stems from the concern of the District Office, WWF-Malaysia and the Banggi Youth Club over the increasing volume of rubbish thrown into the sea and landing back onto the beach. The competition’s main objective was to foster a sense of responsibility for the cleanliness of the coastal area around Banggi Island amongst the participants and villagers around Karakit. WWF-Malaysia is currently working closely with the community in Banggi and Maliangin to fully establish the Maliangin Sanctuary as a pilot demonstration site for protected areas in the proposed Tun Mustapha Park.
Conserving Nesting Site
Turtle Islands Park is situated off Sandakan and consists of three islands - Selingan, Bakkungan and Gulisaan. These islands have served as nesting grounds for the endangered Green turtle (Chelonia mydas) and critically endangered Hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) for decades. Although this is still true today, nesting numbers have decreased.
Building Capacity in Resource Management - Honorary Wildlife Warden
In recent years, there have been calls for a more active participation by the local community in natural resource management. This is an aspect of collaborative management which is an integral part of an ecosystem approach being implemented by signatories to the Convention on Biological Diversity.
Counting the Humphead Wrasse: Towards a Revised Quota
In a continuing effort to achieve a lower quota for the number of Humphead wrasses allowed to be exported by Malaysian companies, a Non-Detrimental Finding (NDF) study was conducted from March to May this year. The study is part of a larger programme funded by TRAFFIC-Southeast Asia, and includes collaboration with Department of Fisheries Sabah, and WWF-Malaysia.
Dive Operators Work Together to Remove COTs
Responding to a report from a local dive operator about the outbreak of Crown of Thorns (COTs) in reefs off Si Amil Island, Semporna team members Daniel and Nina headed out to investigate the situation. The invasion of COTs was apparent, with one table coral occupied by 10 individuals.
Mabul Marine Week: Mabul Dive Operators Come Closer Together for Good of Environment
The strong competitive nature that exists amongst resort owners and dive operators on Mabul Island was put aside during Mabul Marine Week (19-26 July 2008), a week focused on protecting the marine environment. Mabul Marine Week is an up-scaled version of Mabul Marine Day, an event celebrated over the past 10 years which is the brain-child of Sipadan Water Village Resort.
Cross-site Learning Workshop
A 3-day workshop (21-23 July 2008) involving 33 participants from Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines was held to share their experiences on the realities of the establishment and management of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) through case study presentations and open discussions.
Malaysian International Dive Expo
The third installment of the Malaysian International Dive Expo (MIDE) was held at Putra World Trade Centre in Kuala Lumpur from 4-6 July 2008. The focus of MIDE 2008 was to gather visitors to learn about the dive industry; creating interests through the exchange of ideas, and packaging of products and services.
Banggi Youth Club Takes the Lead
Shaping the younger generation into citizens who are conscious of the environment is the main aim of the Banggi Environmental Awareness Centre.
Seminar on Legislations for Natural Resource Management
A seminar on legislations for natural resource management was organized on 24 June 2008 in Kudat. Five speakers were invited to talk about their respective legislations - Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency, Department of Fisheries Sabah, Sabah Wildlife Department, Sabah Parks and Marine Police Department (Kudat Branch).
