KOTA KINABALU: A group of divers 'fished out' 72kg of ghost nets during a clean-up effort to remove unwanted fishing nets from the protected Tunku Abdul Rahman Park (TARP) here today.
The dive clean-up session, which ended at noon, saw the group scouring the coral reef area within the Manggaris dive site near Pulau Gaya and Coral Garden site near Pulau Sapi.
Sabah Parks Board of Trustees' chairman Mohd Amin Abdul Mem said most of the ghost nets - fishing nets that have been left or lost in the ocean by fishermen - had drifted into the park area and became entangled in the coral reefs.
"We take serious note on environmental threat especially within our protected marine park. Sabah Parks has received many complaints on the presence of ghost nets and we take immediate action to address the concern.
"At the same time, we are also taking precautionary steps to ensure our (clean-up) activity will not further damage the reefs," he said after the clean-up programme and launch of Sabah Parks (Sparks) Divers Club on Pulau Manukan here.
Amin said while most of the ghost nets had been removed, those that have become part of the reefs were left untouched to ensure preservation of the ecosystem.
Both the events were held in conjunction with the 45th anniversary of Sabah Parks' gazette. Also present were Sabah Parks director Dr Jamili Nais and TARP manager Anthony Tinggi.
Amin said Sabah Parks was committed to protect the state's marine biodiversity with the establishment of its own dive club.
"The club will allow implementation of various marine rehabilitation activities. It is my hope to also see more Sabah people taking up scuba diving.
"At the same time, I encourage fishermen to expand their skills and expose themselves to tourism mentality. This will indirectly promote conservation among the fishing community." he said.