Sipadan Island : Tragic Incident |
What has happened to the world's most fascinating coral reef at Sipadan?
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Sipadan Island
was discovered by Jacques-Yves Cousteau's undersea exploration
vessel, the Calypso in the late 80's. Since then, this tiny island has become
an international scuba diving focal point. It houses the world's riches marine
inhabitants. More than 3000 species of fish, hundreds of coral types, and
countless invertebrates and crustaceans have been identified here.
Read more ...
Since Pulau Sipadan was opened to the world, pollution seems unavoidable and
the government is concerned about its impact on wildlife. In 2004, the government
announced that all resorts on Sipadan were to be closed, hoping that this little
island could be returned to its natural state as a wildlife haven.
Read more ...
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Unfortunately this jewel of Sabah was not as well protected as it was supposed
to be. Pollution caused by construction materials has been reported since May 2006.
Read more:
thestar,
Scuba Diving News
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3 Aug 2006 : Finally the diving haven saved. The clubhouse project has
been terminated. According to Datuk Musa Aman, only building of toilet
and small rest area for divers are allowed.
Read more ...
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27 July 2006 : Malaysia's Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi
reprimanded Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Musa Aman for going ahead with the RM4.5mil
clubhouse project at Pulau Sipadan despite his objections.
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25 May 2006 : The contractor blamed for damaging a coral reef off Sipadan
Island, was let off lightly after he apologised. However, he has to clean up
the building materials which fell off his barge onto the seabed after it flattened
372.94 square metres of coral reef at the island's drop-off point in the north.
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18 May 2006 : A barge carrying construction materials and a bulldozer crashed
into a coral reef at the internationally renowned diving haven of Pulau Sipadan.
This was reported by diving enthusiasts Andrea and Antonella Ferrari, FiNS
magazine associate editors. For more details please click
finsonline,
Dive Magazine
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For more information about
Sipadan Island click
here
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