KOTA KINABALU: The local professional diving fraternity has recorded several underwater explosions during the Movement Control Order (MCO), with most blasts occurring at Semporna's popular diving destination - Pom Pom Island.
According to the record furnished by Sabah Shark Protection Association’s chairman Aderick Chong, most of the fish bombing blasts at Pom Pom Island were heard in the morning and from the same diving spot, Western Side.
The underwater explosions were recorded between 10.30am and 11.45am on April 7, 9, 10, 21 and 22, with blasts being described as loud to extremely loud.
Chong, who is also a member of Dive Rangers, said three underwater explosions were also heard at Banggi West Coast in the Kudat district. The blasts were recorded at 7.45am on April 8.
While noting that the MCO has disabled their movement to sea, Dive Rangers’ founder Jude Junius said professional and licensed divers were always ready to provide enforcement authority with help in scouting the underwater to identify the sources of illegal fishing.
This includes supporting Sabah Parks in protecting gazetted marine park from any illegal fishing activity like the dumping of ghost nets, stressed Jude who is also secretary of Sabah Subsea Professionals Association.
"Most divers are very familiar with the (diving) area, self-reliant, and have the ability to provide information that can be found underwater, to determine if fishermen have entered the marine park to put up fishing nets.
"Enforcement frontliners should know that not only the recreational diving professionals are offering to provide help but also the commercial diving professionals who will give their support to the frontliners to protect the coral reefs and marine life of Sabah," he said.
Meanwhile, Sabah marine police chief Assistant Commissioner Mohamad Pajeri Ali took note of the data recorded by diving fraternity, and advised the group to continue to channel information to their officers even during MCO.
"This cooperation is important, especially in Semporna waters where Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) has assigned sector to security forces such as marine police, General Operations Force, armed forces, navy, and the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency.
"If there is any information, I welcome (diving fraternity) you to channel them directly to these security enforcement teams so we can combat fish bombing as well as cross-border crime activities together," he said.