KUCHING: Sarawakians have been urged to nurture a better appreciation for the state’s rich marine biodiversity.
In making this call, Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said while efforts to preserve treasures on land, forests, rivers, and mountains, have been commendable, there is often a tendency to overlook the importance of the treasures found in the ocean and beneath its surface.
“To truly understand and appreciate marine life, you need to be in the sea. Whether it’s fishing, scuba diving, or simply enjoying the ocean, these activities build awareness and a sense of responsibility to protect what we have,” he said.
He said this at the launching of the Pristine Sea: Bringing The Ocean Back Exhibition held at Borneo Cultures Museum on Saturday (Nov 23).
Abdul Karim also observed that over the years, the habits of fishing enthusiasts have significantly improved.
“Thirty to 40 years ago, it was common for fishing enthusiasts to throw their waste, such as food packets and canned drink containers, into the sea.
“But I can see the level of awareness is growing where nowadays, most of them bring their own small dustbins or plastic bags to store their waste, instead of discarding them into the ocean,” he said.
Abdul Karim also noted the Sarawak government’s initiative in the establishment of the longest artificial reef in the world, where the Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) had placed reef balls along the coast from Tanjong Datu to Lawas, covering more than a thousand kilometres.
“The government had invested millions of ringgit in this project. The reef balls serve two purposes – firstly, to deter trawlers from approaching the shore, and secondly, to act as artificial reefs where corals grow over time, creating habitats for marine life,” he said.
He therefore hoped that such efforts would inspire greater awareness and participation, particularly from the private sector.
On the exhibition brought by the Sarawak Museum Department, he said it serves as a reminder to respect the oceans and protect marine life.
“The Pristine Seas project aims to restore the ocean’s health and productivity while enhancing the livelihoods of coastal communities by protecting marine ecosystems from overfishing.
“This approach aligns well with Sarawak’s own objectives, as outlined in Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030, which emphasises sustainable development, collaboration with local communities, and the preservation of natural ecosystems to achieve the state’s vision of a thriving society by 2030,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Pristine Seas: Bringing The Ocean Back by National Geographic, will run until April 13, 2025.
