KOTA KINABALU: The first marine-oriented non-government organisation in the country, the Marine Research Foundation (MRF) has achieved significant milestones for the conservation of underwater species.
Established in 2004, MRF aims to promote the sustainable use of natural resources by taking a practical approach to conservation and providing efficient solutions to concerned stakeholders.
Its executive director Dr Nicolas Pilcher said that over the years, the foundation has raised over RM30 million for marine conservation.
"We have delivered on our goals. Turtles are being saved. Sharks and rays are being saved.
"It just goes to show that with dedication and passion, there is no limit to what can be achieved," he said during the foundation's 20th anniversary celebration here yesterday.
MRF's flagship project is saving sea turtles by introducing fishermen to Turtle Excluder Devices, or TEDs.
For now, Malaysia is the only country in Southeast Asia to use TEDs to save sea turtles.
MRF's senior conservation officer Liyana Khalid said TEDs are saving over 1,000 turtles each year in Malaysia.
"Imagine if all trawl vessels used them – we could save over 5,000 turtles each year. This is why we work so hard to get them accepted.
"I have to say that our collaboration with the Department of Fisheries Sabah, and Sabah Parks, is the key to our success.
"They listen to us, and it makes all our work worthwhile. When a small five-person NGO can alter policy in a country, you know you are on the right track."
MRF also works on the conservation of sharks and rays in partnership with WWF Malaysia and Green Semporna, and together they are raising the bar on conservation at a national and regional level.
MRF's work with time-lapse cameras is helping design marine protected areas, which have the potential to save over 90 per cent of Sabah's breeding hammerhead sharks.