KUCHING: Debris was removed from the sea during a Coral Reef Cleaning and Monitoring Programme at the Miri-Sibuti Coral Reefs National Park on Monday (Aug 31) here.
The programme, organised by Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC), was funded by Petronas under the SFC-Petronas Eco-marine project which aimed to raise awareness on marine pollution.
It attracted 40 divers including those from SFC, the Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba), the Department of Fisheries, Marine Police, Northern Sarawak Journalists Association (NSJA), Whaleshark Miri, Dive@Borneo, Miri Divers, Future Ocean Borneo, Kenyalang Underwater and the Forest Department.
SFC chief executive officer Zolkipli Mohamad Aton graced the launch of the event at Marina Bay Jetty in Miri.
“Coral reefs are abundant around the Miri-Sibuti coastal zone; they are now more vulnerable to human threats such as trawlers and ghost nets stuck at the bottom of the ocean,” he said in a statement on Tuesday (Sept 1).
He pointed out that in 2019, there were five trillion pieces of plastic in the ocean, wreaking havoc on marine ecosystems.
“This is a global crisis that needs to be taken care of starting from the people,” said Zolkipli, who is also a Controller of National Parks and Nature Reserves, and Controller of Wild Life.
He thanked all those who took part in the operation and welcomed more collaborations.
Members of the public who wish to do any recreational diving activities can contact Miri Coral Reef National Park park warden Abdul Ajis or the Miri Regional Office helpline at 019-8290994.
