Diving around the world: exploring the human impact on biodiversity

The dense healthy corals I encountered here were apparently there because bombing fish is prohibited and heavily prohibited by law authorities. At least that’s what Nathan told me. Fish bombing is a highly destructive fishing method that has had a significant impact on Malaysia’s marine ecosystems. Bombing fish uses homemade bombs or dynamite that are detonated underwater. The explosion stuns or kills fish, making them easy to collect, but also destroys coral reefs and marine habitats. This practice causes extensive damage to coral reefs, which are crucial breeding grounds and refuges for fish and invertebrates. The use of explosives in fishing was officially banned in Malaysia through the Fisheries (Prohibited Fishing Gear and Methods) Regulations in 1985. This ban marked an important step towards reducing fish bombing. To prevent illegal fish bombing, authorities have implemented surveillance and patrols in vulnerable areas. New technologies such as underwater sensors, when activated, send an alert and send a boat to the area. However, according to Nathan, people today continue to bomb and get away with it.

I walked around the perimeter of the island and just outside our solar-powered bungalow oasis was a slum on stilts where natives live. In the forest I came across a place where there were signs that people were staying there; food canisters, trash and some torn clothing left behind. But what startled me were the gigantic mussel shells, each about half a meter in diameter. Surprisingly, we had not encountered these colossal mussels at any dive site. Although there were many small and medium sized mussels with beautifully colored interiors in shades of purple, blue and green with yellow speckles, these huge mussels were conspicuously absent. It dawned on me that the reason for their absence was probably due to the indigenous people harvesting and depleting their numbers.

Recalling a few days earlier, as we sat on our boat during a surface interval on Mabul Island, local families paddled their small canoes toward us, trying to sell their catches. An elderly man had two beautifully colored lobsters and a pile of crabs, each displaying the colors of the entire visible light spectrum in their shells: speckled and iridescent. These crustaceans slowly succumbed, barely clinging to life long enough to become someone’s dinner. Children offered small clams they had collected that morning, along with smaller sea creatures kept in water bottles. They weren’t just fishing for a living; they were fishing to sell their own food source to tourists.

By the time I left Selakan Island, I understood the challenges facing the reefs in the Semporna area. Overfishing was just one of these challenges, and it was not specifically the fault of the indigenous people or the tourists. The insatiable human appetite for animal products transcends cultures. It is not reasonable to expect tourists to self-regulate their fish consumption as they often lack information about sustainable levels. This responsibility lies on the shoulders of the government. The problem of excessive animal consumption extends beyond natives, tourists and people around the world. It is as if some believe that animals are an unlimited resource, an idea that has led to restaurants in Semporna being filled with tourists who devour enormous plates of crustaceans, fish and molluscs every evening, driven by affordability and apparent abundance, often with plates full with uneaten portions. are left to waste.

The effectiveness of fishing bans implemented by the government for both indigenous and other fishermen can vary and depends on factors such as enforcement, local community involvement and ecological data. To determine its success, it is essential to assess fish population recovery, coral reef recovery and the overall health of the marine ecosystem. Effective enforcement mechanisms, such as patrols and penalties for violators, can ensure compliance. Success also depends on the cooperation and understanding of local communities and stakeholders. A comprehensive evaluation of these factors is needed to assess whether the bans are working as intended.

Most tourists are prosperous foreigners, while residents of the Selakan and Semporna slums live in poverty. I saw a little girl with messy black hair playing on the volcanic rock beach, her fantasy kitchen set made of single-use plastic water bottles, cups, cans and forks. She filled her plastic cupcake container with rocks while her brothers (or cousins, or neighbors) splashed naked in the water behind her. The plastic waste that our bungalow staff diligently cleared away also accumulated around the slum, but with no means to deal with it, it accumulated on the shoreline, possibly for years or even decades. What could they do with it? It wasn’t their trash, and they didn’t have the resources to throw it away. So it remains a dilemma of responsibility and duration. At this point it has become clear that the decline in coral reef health extends beyond tourist bungalow development. While these companies had incentives to maintain their properties, the overarching problem was the lack of government regulations regarding the use and disposal of plastic. There is a lack of infrastructure and education regarding single-use plastics, unlike in more prosperous countries. The core problem was not tourism, but rather the government’s negligence towards the citizens of this region. The solution is clear: implement a ban on the sale and use of single-use plastics, impose strict rules on fishing, and allow free market forces to adapt and innovate to meet these rules.

In 2017, Kenya introduced a strict ban on plastic bags, with heavy fines and prison sentences for violations, significantly reducing plastic bag litter. The move was prompted by environmental concerns as plastic bags caused pollution, drain blockages, flooding and harm to wildlife. Similarly, Vanuatu banned single-use plastic bags and straws in 2018 to combat plastic pollution in the marine environment, using legislative measures and enforcement awareness campaigns. These examples demonstrate the potential for other countries, such as Malaysia, to tackle plastic pollution. Reducing excessive consumption of seafood is challenging, but achievable through good regulation, as evidenced by countries such as Japan and the European Union. Government regulation should implement these efforts. In the Semporna region, Malaysia, the NGO TRACC (Tropical Research and Conservation Centre) focuses in particular on restoring and preserving coral reefs damaged by destructive practices such as fish bombing. TRACC conducts research into marine ecosystems, restores coral reefs and raises awareness of the importance of these fragile environments. Their initiatives not only complement the broader global movement to combat plastic pollution, but also address the specific challenges caused by destructive fishing practices, and help protect and restore marine life. Marine NGOs around the world are also fighting the good fight. EarthWatch Australia has made significant efforts to address the problem of coral reef overgrowth by algae. EarthWatch volunteer divers scrape excess algae growth from corals, making a significant positive impact on the health of the Great Barrier Reef. The Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) conducts extensive research on coral reefs in the Caribbean Ocean. Their work includes studying coral health, biodiversity and restoration techniques, collaborating with other institutions and agencies, and participating in educational activities to raise awareness of coral reef conservation. There are multiple facets to approaching the conservation and restoration of reef ecosystems, with organizations such as TRACC and EarthWatch Australia and STRI play different roles in conservation efforts.

I began documenting the health of these underwater ecosystems with my own eyes as a personal commitment born from the need to witness the challenges they face and the beauty they hold. As I continue this journey, I am driven by the realization that understanding the current state of our reefs is the first step to effective action. With every dive I capture not only the fascinating organisms, but also the grim reality of warming waters, coral bleaching, pollution and overfishing. I plan to continue in this endeavor because through observation a path to healing and recovery can be forged. As I have navigated and described the complex issues of marine conservation in various regions such as the Caribbean and Borneo, it is becoming clear that oceans and reef systems around the world are experiencing attacks that are unique depending on the type of human activity in the area. but our collective efforts are the key to a better future for each unique ocean. This starts with being in nature and witnessing our wonderful world with our own eyes, not in an aquarium or zoo, but in the raw wilderness where we are rooted. As global citizens, we must mobilize a collective voice on social media to pressure governments to tackle plastic pollution and implement meaningful policy changes. Whether it’s responsible diving practices, eliminating single-use plastic waste or rejecting the consumption of marine life, every action helps preserve our fragile ecosystems. The urgency of the situation cannot be overstated.