WWF-Malaysia: Sipadan Reef Damages Assessed
Recent reports of total devastation to Sipadan’s coral reefs are grossly over-exaggerated.
Last week it was reported that a barge carrying construction materials damaged corals at Sipadan. A survey to assess the damage revealed that the area impacted was 372.2 square metres (3,984 square feet), according to data made available today by the Director of Sabah Parks to WWF-Malaysia’s Vice-President Emeritus Tengku Dato’ Seri Zainal Adlin, who is also the Chairman of the Sabah Tourism Board.
Tengku Adlin supports the Sabah cabinet decision that all construction works on the island be suspended. He said:“The incident was most unfortunate and should not have happened, even though the damage is minimal. Appropriate actions should be taken by the relevant authorities against the contractor for the unauthorised usage and encroachment of the barge into Sipadan. The scope and the specifications of the basic facilities project should be reviewed, and development must be in harmony with nature. There are no two ways about it, and these issues must be addressed.”
A WWF-Malaysia report on Sipadan published in 1993 shows total reef area to be 208 hectares. Thus, the area damaged by the barge is far less than 1% of Sipadan’s total reef area. The attached photograph of Sipadan Island places the extent of the damaged coral patch in proper perspective. Moreover, as mentioned in a previous statement by WWF-Malaysia, Sipadan is a relatively healthy reef. When faced with minor stresses like this, relatively healthy reefs can recover naturally.
A management plan for Sipadan based on sound science must be put in place as soon as possible in order to manage all human activities on the island and its reefs. Additionally, an annual “State of the Reef” report showing the results of coral monitoring and numbers of visitors for the year would assist in the assessment of the reefs. This will highlight management efforts and provide interested stakeholders with information on an area that they care for deeply.
It must also be recognised that there is a difference between managing the security aspects of Sipadan and managing biodiversity of the island. Responsibilities for the island’s security and biodiversity management must be clearly delineated.
For the latter, Sabah Parks needs a full mandate and a proper management plan for biodiversity. Sabah Parks should be given full assistance by government, the private sector and local community stakeholders to manage Sipadan and other marine parks. WWF-Malaysia hopes that the management plan will be developed through participation and input from dive operators, divers and local communities as well as non-governmental organisations. A transparent, participatory process will build more capacity among all stakeholders to help Sabah Parks manage Sipadan.
“Sipadan is a national treasure that is also highly valued by people all over the world. The relatively minor impact of the barge accident will probably not affect the exquisite diving on Sipadan,” said WWF-Malaysia’s National Programme Director Dr. Dionysius Sharma.
For more information, please contact Angela Lim +6088-262-420.