Losing the battle to plastic in Semporna

This is, however, just a glimpse of a massive money-making tourism industry which is one of the key pillars of Sabah’s economy.

As the “poster child” for Illegal, Unregulated and Unreported fishing, fish bombing is just one of several very serious threats to tourism development and environmental protection in Semporna and Sabah in general. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development’s transformative promise to leave no one behind offers hope for this vulnerable and marginalized group. More than half a century ago and earlier, there was just the Bajau Laut and the ocean in this part of the world.

The programme also provides skills and training in culture and ocean farming of giant clams and abalone to provide an alternative livelihood for island communities. The EU Ambassador to Malaysia H.E. Michalis Rokas was down in Semporna recently together with German Ambassador to Malaysia H.E. Dr Peter Blomeyer from 6th to 10th June to witness the initial phase of the projects.

“It’s been an eye opener for me and the German Ambassador. We’ve seen and heard about the challenges, and we want to know how the EU can assist further,” he said. District Officer of Semporna, Alexander Liew, reportedly expressed the willingness on the part of the local government to join force in addressing the issues.

Blu Hope is tasked to carry out awareness and mobilise plastic waste collection in the twelve action groups to kick start ‘plastic neutrality’ in Semporna. For every kilogram of plastic removed from the ocean, the communities will be incentivised. We will then innovatively turn them into products like building materials, and low-cost housing with new plastic products replacing wooden water villages, jetties – in turn, helping reduce deforestation at the same time as cleaning up Semporna.

Heads of State, environment ministers and other representatives from 175 nations, endorsed a historic resolution at the UN Environment Assembly in Nairobi on Wednesday to end plastic pollution, and forge an international legally binding agreement, by the end of 2024. “The amount of plastic I saw in Semporna and in the islands are unbelievable. I’ve never seen anything like it.

Source: Holiday News (holidaynews.net)

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