MARANG: Fishermen and anglers are urged to become the "eyes and ears" of the authorities and report any pollution at sea with evidence, such as video recordings and photographs, to enable action to be taken against those involved.
Environment and Water Minister Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said although pollution at sea were still under control, the matter must not be taken lightly and needed to be monitored.
"So far, pollution (at sea) is still not alarming, but I have received unofficial complaints of irresponsible ships that dump oil in the sea. However, there is no evidence since the act is usually carried out late at night.
"But the fishermen who are fishing in the middle of the night have detected oil slicks around their boats, and the source is not known. That's why if you can take videos and pictures of the ships, it's easier to take action," he said after officiating at the Sungai Merchang Estuary Conservation Project at Pantai Marang here today.
He said although the amount of oil dumped into the sea was sometimes small and insignificant, the matter needed to be controlled because, over time, it would affect the fish and other marine life.
"Usually these ships want to save on cleaning costs," he said, adding that he only received reports of oil spills on the beaches of Port Dickson, Negri Sembilan, and Tanjung Tuan, Melaka.
Asked whether the polluting ships were merchant vessels or foreign fishing boats, Tuan Ibrahim said the matter could not be ascertained as there was no clear evidence.
Meanwhile, he said to solve the environmental problem in Marang, the Sungai Merchang Estuary Conservation Project worth RM30.5 million had been implemented on Dec 15 last year and is expected to be completed on Dec 14, 2023.
"The project involves excavating a navigation channel from the mouth of Sungai Merchang to the Malaysian Fisheries Development Authority Jetty, construction of breakwater structures, retaining wall structures and protection layers, and coastal fertilisation.
"Once the project is completed, it will allow fishermen and tourist boat operators to get in and out of the sea safely. More than 100 registered boats in the area will be protected from damage due to the shallow estuary and waves," he said.
According to him, the Federal Government also approved the implementation of the Coastal Erosion Control Project in Pantai Marang at a cost of RM15.6 million on Jan 4, which was expected to be completed within two years.
He said among the scope of the project was a 2.2km coastal fertilisation work to address erosion and flooding, besides preventing property damage and loss of lives. -- BERNAMA