Latest news with #SimFui
The Star
8 hours 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.
Daily Express
a day ago
- Health
- Daily Express
Sabah dive club to hold safety talk after recent fatalities
Published on: Saturday, June 07, 2025 Published on: Sat, Jun 07, 2025 Text Size: For illustrative purposes only. - Getty Images/iStockphoto KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Dive Squad Club will host a diving safety awareness talk on July 20 following several recent scuba-related fatalities locally and abroad. Club president Sim Fui said safety must always remain a diver's top priority, warning that fatal incidents often stem from neglecting basic procedures. Advertisement He cited recent cases, including a Malaysian diver who died in strong currents near Pulau Weh and two Chinese nationals who drowned in separate Sabah diving mishaps. Two experts, Dr Eugene Tan and Warrant Officer Almudi Eskal from the Armed Forces Hospital, will lead the session focusing on medical emergencies and technical diving safety. Details of the talk will be announced via the club's official Facebook page. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
The Star
a day ago
- Health
- The Star
Divers must reinforce safety practices, says Sabah Dive Squad Club
KOTA KINABALU: Divers must reinforce best practices for safety and environmental reasons, says the Sabah Dive Squad Club. Club president Sim Fui stated that, given the recent scuba diving fatalities, they have organised a safety awareness talk to reinforce best practices among members. He emphasised that safety must always be the top priority for divers, and regular reminders, refresher courses, or awareness talks are necessary. "Every certified diver is taught the correct procedures during training, and the number one rule is always to return safely," he said in a statement on Saturday (June 7). "Unfortunately, recent incidents show that some divers are disregarding these procedures with fatal consequences," Sim added. Last week, a 33-year-old Malaysian man from Kuala Lumpur died while diving off Pulau Weh near Sabang in Indonesia, after reportedly panicking in strong undercurrents. In May, two Chinese nationals also lost their lives in separate scuba diving accidents in Sabah waters. "One was an unsupervised tourist who drowned while diving off Sipadan in Semporna, and the other, a certified divemaster, drowned after attempting to retrieve a lost camera near Kakaban Island," Sim said. "These tragic incidents could have been avoided had proper safety guidelines been followed," he added. The diving safety awareness talk scheduled for July 20 aims to prevent further loss of life and remind members of the importance of adhering to established procedures. Sim said the club has appointed two experts to lead the session: Lt Col (Dr) Eugene Tan Choon Li as scuba diving medical adviser and First Warrant Officer Almudi Eskal as technical diving adviser. Dr Eugene is an internal medicine specialist and diving medical officer at the Kota Kinabalu Regional Armed Forces Hospital. Almudi is the Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine Department Chief Supervisor at the Armed Forces Hospital and is also an Army Submarine Escape Instructor. Both will discuss medical emergencies related to diving and offer guidance on technical skills and safe diving practices, Sim said. More information about the talk will be shared on the Sabah Dive Squad Club's Facebook page.
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.
