2 days ago
NGO sounds alarm over starfish outbreak, boat anchoring on corals off Semporna
SEMPORNA: The outbreak of the crown-of-thorns (COT) starfish or Acanthaster planci, and the frequent anchoring of tour boats are affecting the survival of corals off Semporna.
Reef Check Malaysia (RCM) programme manager Adzmin Fatta said COT starfish outbreaks, in particular, were extremely destructive to reef ecosystems.
"The scale and frequency of recent reports are deeply concerning. That's why we're mobilising more trained community teams to respond swiftly to new hotspots," he said in a statement.
He added that RCM, in collaboration with Semporna Aqua Planet and local community marine conservation groups (CMCGs), had successfully removed 869 COT starfish from the reefs around Bakungan Island here.
The rapid-response operation was conducted amid the starfish outbreaks in the waters here and neighbouring Darvel Bay in Lahad Datu.
In addition to the outbreaks, he said RCM had also received disturbing reports of frequent boat anchorings directly on live coral near Pulau Timba-Timba, threatening the reef's health there.
"With limited resources, RCM is urging all diving and snorkelling operators to immediately adopt reef-friendly practices to minimise physical damage.
"As part of a broader effort to protect Semporna's reefs, RCM is actively promoting the Green Fins programme — a globally recognised initiative that supports the marine tourism industry in adopting environmentally sustainable practices.
"These include proper waste management, avoiding anchor use, and educating guests on responsible reef operators play a critical role in reef conservation," he said.
