Latest news with #DeusDivingClub
The Star
2 days ago
- The Star
Rogue fishers still blast the depths
Explosive danger: Damaged coral beds and dead marine species are tragic reminders that the destructive practice of fish bombing remains a threat. KOTA KINABALU: Fish bombing. A mere two-word term but the destructive act, which began decades ago in Sabah, has yet to be stopped. 'It is still happening despite the increased patrols and awareness programmes held for the locals,' said Deus Diving Club (DDC) president Sim Fui. 'We believe stronger and more consistent enforcement is key. 'This includes tighter maritime surveillance in known hotspots and community-based intelligence gathering involving local fishermen and dive operators,' he said. He suggested that there be stricter penalties for offenders to serve as deterrents. Under the Fisheries Act, fish bombing is punishable with fines not exceeding RM20,000 or a jail term of up to two years or both. According to Save Our Seas Foundation, fishermen use home-made bottle bombs packed with fertiliser and kerosene, which are detonated by a fuse inserted through the top. Sim said there should also be increased funding and training for enforcement agencies such as the marine police and Sabah Parks, adding that more education and outreach programmes should be held for coastal communities to promote sustainable fishing alternatives. Sim said the DDC is a community of divers and ocean advocates concerned about the persistence of fish bombing, particularly around the west coast and the northern reefs. He said the underwater explosions, damaged coral beds, and dead marine species are tragic reminders that this destructive practice remains a threat. The dangers of fish bombing extend beyond ecological destruction as it poses serious danger to recreational divers, marine researchers, and local communities, he said. He said that sudden underwater explosions can cause barotrauma, disorientation, or even fatalities to divers in the vicinity. Ultimately, he said that protecting Sabah's marine heritage is a shared responsibility. 'We call upon all stakeholders – from authorities to NGOs to tourism operators – to work together towards a future where our oceans are safe and thriving with fish bombing a thing of the past,' he said. He acknowledged fish bombing cases are not as rampant as before. 'But we still receive occasional reports from our members and dive operators, especially in less patrolled areas,' he said. In fact, recent engagement programmes with coastal communities found that some fishermen even lost their limbs due to fish bombing. A news report six months ago said that a sea gypsy was fishing in waters off Semporna several years ago when his boat sank after a sudden blast at sea. Though his friends came to his aid, he had also lost part of his arm. His testimony was shared in a documentary on the sea people of Sabah during a conference on plastic pollution and fish bombing organised by environmental organisation Blu Hope. Previous reports by authorities show that raids on fishing vessels often lead to the seizure of explosives believed to be used for illegal fishing.
Borneo Post
05-05-2025
- Borneo Post
Club urges stricter action against fish bombing, illegal spearfishing
Sim and Monica KOTA KINABALU (May 5): The Sabah Dive Squad Club has urged authorities to step up enforcement against rampant fish bombing and illegal spearfishing. Its president, Sim Fui, said those destructive marine practices are a growing threat to marine ecosystems and the diving industry in Sabah. 'These destructive acts are not only damaging our marine biodiversity but also pose life-threatening risks to divers, destroy coral reefs that are vital to Sabah's tourism and the only living resources for coastal indigenous fishermen community. 'Those responsible must face the most severe legal consequences. There is no excuse for leniency when the stakes are this high. 'Sabah's ocean assets are priceless, and we cannot afford to be passive. Protecting them is not just about preserving nature — it's about securing the future of our coastal communities and sustaining a billion-ringgit tourism sector,' Sim said in a statement after the club's annual general meeting here on Sunday. He added that fish bombing and spearfishing, especially in popular dive zones, could cripple Sabah's reputation as a premier diving destination in the region. He also called for greater collaboration between enforcement agencies, dive operators, and conservation groups to prevent further degradation of Sabah's marine habitats. In 2019, two China nationals and a local dive instructor in Semporna were killed by dynamite fishing while scuba diving off Semporna waters. According to the Sabah Fisheries Department, the scuba diving industry has brought Sabah over RM500 million in income in a year. Also speaking after the AGM, club member and conservation advocate Monica Chin shared recent alarming experiences from her dive team. 'We encountered three separate bomb blasts during just one dive session. It was terrifying. There was a day where eight fish bombings happened in a day in the same area. 'In addition, we have received reports of scuba divers spearfishing in areas like Kota Kinabalu, Sepanggar, and popular dive sites in Kota Belud. 'It is just a matter of time for divers to get injured due to spearfishing to happen and affect the diving industry,' she said. She added that the excuse of a lack of resources or manpower to patrol and enforce the sea is no longer valid. 'During the Covid-19 pandemic, enforcement agencies managed to impose strict movement controls and monitor large areas effectively. 'That same level of coordination and urgency should now be directed at seriously protecting our asset marine environment,' she said. Established in June 2022, the Sabah Dive Squad Club – also known as Deus Diving Club (DDC) – has grown to over 100 members from diverse professional backgrounds, united by a shared commitment to responsible diving and ocean conservation.
New Straits Times
05-05-2025
- New Straits Times
Sabah Dive Club sounds alarm over fish bombing, spearfishing threats to marine tourism
KOTA KINABALU: Despite Sabah being renowned as its diving destination, it raised concerns that rampant destructive and dangerous activities might affect the industry. Sabah Dive Squad Club president Sim Fui said there had been reports of fish bombing and spearfishing around dive sites in the state. "These destructive acts are not only damaging our marine biodiversity, but also pose life-threatening risks to divers as well as destroy coral reefs that are vital to Sabah's tourism and the only living resources for coastal indigenous fishermen community. "Those responsible must face the most severe legal consequences. There is no excuse for leniency when the stakes are this high. "Sabah's ocean assets are priceless, and we cannot afford to be passive. Protecting them is not just about preserving nature — it's about securing the future of our coastal communities and sustaining a billion-ringgit tourism sector," Sim said after the club annual general meeting here yesterday. He called for greater collaboration between enforcement agencies, dive operators and conservation groups to prevent further degradation of Sabah's marine habitats. In 2019, two China nationals and a local dive instructor in Semporna were killed by dynamite fishing while scuba diving off Semporna waters. According to the Sabah Fisheries Department, the scuba diving industry has brought Sabah over RM500 million in income in a year. Club member and conservation advocate Monica Chin shared recent alarming experiences from her dive team. "We encountered three bomb blasts during just one dive session. It was terrifying. There was a day where eight fish bombings occurred in a day in the same area. "In addition, we have received reports of scuba divers spearfishing in areas like Kota Kinabalu, Sepanggar and a popular dive site in Kota Belud. "It is just a matter of time for divers to get injured due to spearfishing to happen and affect the diving industry," She added that the excuse of a lack of resources or manpower to patrol the sea is no longer valid. "During the Covid-19 pandemic, enforcement agencies managed to impose strict movement controls and monitor large areas effectively. "That same level of coordination and urgency should now be directed at seriously protecting our asset marine environment." Established in June 2022, the Sabah Dive Squad Club — also known as Deus Diving Club — has grown to over 100 members from diverse professional backgrounds, united by a shared commitment to responsible diving and ocean conservation.
The Star
05-05-2025
- General
- The Star
Dive club to spearhead community-driven cleanups of Sabah's coastal hotspots
KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Dive Club aims to increase public awareness of marine conservation through hands-on, community-driven initiatives. 'In June, we will launch a monthly ocean cleanup dive, inviting all club members to join forces with reputable private dive operators and local non-governmental organisations (NGOs),' said Sim Fui, who was re-elected club president on Sunday (May 4). Each dive will target a different coastal hotspot, combining underwater debris removal with on‑site educational briefings on the impacts of pollution, he added. Sim said by rotating locations every month, they aim not only to keep shores and reefs clean but also to engage diverse community groups, schools, and corporate volunteers in learning about sustainable waste management and responsible diving practices. 'Regular post‑dive reports and social media highlights will ensure transparency, showcase our progress, and inspire broader participation across Sabah and beyond,' he said. The club, also known as Deus Diving Club, is in discussions with Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) to establish a coral planting programme, he added. This collaboration seeks to reintroduce resilient coral species onto degraded reef areas, bolstering biodiversity and enhancing reefs' resistance to climate change. 'To ensure the programme's success, we are lining up partnerships with several key local authorities covering permits, site selection and long‑term monitoring support. 'Pending final approvals, we anticipate our first pilot planting session by the third quarter, with volunteer training workshops and community outreach events to follow,' he said. Sim said these initiatives underscore the club's dedication to both immediate cleanup efforts and the longer‑term restoration of the marine ecosystem. He said the club has grown into a force for conservation and community diving across Sabah, and is a passionate community of divers bound by shared values: adventure, marine stewardship, and respect for the underwater world. The club has 111 members and has organised 30 diving and conservation activities since its establishment in 2022 up to April this year. These include underwater cleanups, coral planting initiatives, and sustainable diving awareness campaigns across Sabah's coastal areas. "On July 28 last year, 28 of our divers participated in a marine cleanup at Mari-Mari Sepanggar Island, successfully removing over 100kg of debris,' Sim said. The club also took part in the Borneo Ultra Ocean Cleanup with the Royal Malaysian Navy and Sabah Parks, involving more than 130 divers.
