By Olivia Miwil
KOTA KINABALU: More than 3.9 tonnes, or 3,900kg, of ghost nets and marine debris have been removed from the waters off Tunku Abdul Rahman Park (TARP) since 2021.
The Marine Research Foundation (MRF) said better protocols for marking fishing gear and stronger collaboration among stakeholders are needed to tackle marine debris, particularly ghost nets, in Sabah's waters.
Ghost nets are abandoned, lost or discarded fishing gear left in the ocean. They can entangle, injure and kill marine animals.
"The troubling reality is that these clean-up efforts are becoming increasingly routine. Yet, these ghost nets keep returning to TARP.
"Over the years, we have seen countless marine animals, including sea turtles, sharks, rays, crabs, and many others, trapped and killed by these abandoned nets. It is heartbreaking," MRF said in a statement.
TARP, a biodiversity hotspot renowned for its vibrant coral reefs and rich marine life, continues to face threats from human activities at sea and marine debris drifting from coastal areas.
Despite repeated clean-up efforts and growing public awareness, conservationists said the volume of discarded fishing gear entering the marine environment remains unabated.
MRF Plastics Project lead coordinator Chris Chai Chun Xue said immediate action was needed to remove ghost nets from the marine environment to prevent further loss of marine life.
However, he said clean-up efforts alone were not enough.
"Until we stop ghost gear at the source, our reefs will remain under constant siege," he said.
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