Fishermen, anglers urged to report ships dumping ‘black oil’ at night

 

Environment and water minister Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man explaining the benefits of the Sungai Merchang estuary conservation project at Pantai Marang, Marang. (Bernama pic)

MARANG: Fishermen and anglers have been urged to be the “’eyes and ears” of the authorities and immediately report any pollution activities at sea.

Environment and water minister Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said reports and evidence such as video recordings or photographs would enable legal action to be taken against those involved.

Tuan Ibrahim said although pollution cases at sea were still under control, the matter could not be taken lightly and needed to be monitored.

“I have received unofficial complaints of irresponsible ships which dump black oil in the sea. However, there is no evidence since the pollution is usually done late at night,” he said.

However, fishermen out at sea in the middle of the night can sense black oil around the boat. “If you can take videos and pictures of the ship involved, it’ll be easy to take immediate action,” he said after launching a conservation project for the Sungai Merchang estuary.

He said although the amount of black oil released into the sea was sometimes small and insignificant, the matter needed to be controlled because over time it would affect the lives of fish and other marine life.

“Usually, these ships dump because they want to save on cleaning costs,” he said, adding that so far such oil spills had only been reported on the beach at Port Dickson and at Tanjung Tuan, Melaka.

Asked whether the parties involved were believed to be the owners of merchant ships or foreign fishermen, Tuan Ibrahim said the matter could not be ascertained as there was no clear evidence thus far.

The RM30.5 million Sungai Merchang estuary conservation project is expected to be completed in December next year.

The project involves excavating a navigation channel, breakwater and other structures. “It will allow boats to get into the estuary and out of the sea safely and protect more than 100 registered boats from being damaged by the waves,” he said.

A coastal erosion control project for Pantai Marang has also been approved, at a cost of RM15.6 million. - FMT