Clearing land & sea

By Revathi Murugappan

The recent Redang Island Clean-Up Day saw divers and non-divers pitching in to help protect and preserve the environment.

Famed for its barrel sponges and soft coral, Redang Island is a haven for divers and tourists alike. With crystal- clear waters and numerous dive sites teeming with marine life, it ranks as one of Malaysia's top island holiday destinations.

However, with more tourists come more litter and pollution. To reduce the garbage, clean-up campaigns are being carried out by the resorts, with little help from snorkellers and divers. Thanks to support from major sponsors as well, tourist spots like Pulau Payar, Danga Bay (Johor), Batu Ferringhi beach, Pulau Perhentian Kecil, Pulau Tioman and Pulau Aur have recorded clean-up days.

Last month, the Berjaya Redang Beach Resort organised the annual Redang Island Clean-Up Day, which was endorsed by the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (Padi), Project Aware (Aquatic World Awareness, Responsibility and Education), Malaysian Sport Diving Association and Tourism Malaysia. About 175 countries participate in Project Aware, founded in 1989, which stresses the diver's role in conserving the environment .

According to Vincent Toh, the resort's Padi course director, six dive sites in Pulau Redang were identified as "needing clean-ups" and to remove harmful crown-of-thorns (Acanthaster placi) from the coral reefs. All island operators have their individual clean-up days and he felt the onus was on them to assume full responsibility for preserving the environment.

"We dive in these spots almost daily so we are familiar with the amount of rubbish here. When we take guests diving, we're more concerned with their safety, so we don't always stop to pick up rubbish. But, our staff and dive masters will go in occasionally to clean up the sites. What started as an in-house exercise is now organised on a larger scale with more divers participating", said Toh, who initiated the clean-up campaign three years ago.

The crown-of-thorns is a starfish with thorn- like spines sprouting all over its body for protection. If accidentally touched or stepped on by people, the starfish's long spines (which release a neurotoxin) are capable of pricking, stinging and inflicting great pain that can last for hours. It can also cause nausea and vomiting. They are voracious predators that can wipe out large areas of coral. An individual can consume up to 6sq m of living reef per year.

As efforts are underway to increase environmental awareness among divers, it was promising to note that 65 divers, including seven instructors, joined in to do their bit for the environment. Although the number was significantly smaller than last year, Toh attributed it to the fasting month. Divers came from different parts of the world, including Europe and Singapore to chip in.

Amidst loud jabbering, the divers only too happy to strap into their gear and head out to sea for two, 45-minute clean-up sessions. Divers were given mesh bags and gloves, then asked to collect what ever junk they could find - except if coral was found to be growing over it. Sea turtles often mistake plastic bags for jellyfish and end up chocking on them.

It was a wonder how much garbage accumulated underwater. Collectively, the divers found 35 fishing lines, 15 shoes, 31 fishing nets, 707 crown-of-thorns and an interesting mix of other rubbish including masks and snorkels which were probably dropped by accident. The most polluted site was Teluk Mat Delah.

While the divers had fun underwater, non-divers were taken by boat to Chagar Hutang (Turtle Bay) for a land clean-up, led by Prof Chan Eng Heng of Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, who started the marine turtle conservation programme here a decade ago. This is a major turtle-nesting beach in Malaysia where Green and Hawksbill Turtles come to lay their eggs. This year, over 351 nests have been found here, with six made by the Hawksbill species.

Sadly, Prof Chan believes the Giant Leatherbacks are almost extinct in Malaysia there have been no sightings this year.

She said, "Leatherbacks usually come to nest in the same area they were born. Last year, there were five leatherbacks in Rantau Abang but it's zero this year. They feed on jellyfish on the water's surface so they probably got caught in fishing nets."

The garbage at Turtle Bay comprised mainly pieces of wood, plastic bottles, drink cans, broken glass bottles, construction waste, broken lifebuoys and fish netting. Empty snack food packets were also washed ashore from Thailand.

Besides the annual clean-ups, Berjaya Redang Resort has also implemented several measures as part of its drive to be responsible corporate citizen.

"We run our own generators and use diesel instead of using TNB's supply. Some of the lights in certain areas have been removed as a way to reduce electricity. Whenever possible, we use fluorescent lighting. We're also trying to go paperless correspondence," said Michael Tan, resident manager of the resort.

After the clean-up, participants were treated to a sumptuous barbeque and certificates of participation were given out to everyone.

A photography contest was also held to capture the glorious underwater and land life. Winners walked away with huge smiles and attractive prizes.

If you missed this year's clean-up, there'll be another next year - put it in your diary.

Take Note: Berjaya Redang Beach Resort will be closed from Nov 1 to Feb 6, 2008 for upgrading work.

Pictures by SIA HONG KIAU/The Star, TERENCE LEE & BERJAYA REDANG BEACH RESORT