Tag - Environment

KOTA KINABALU: Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) fishery researchers have successfully bred a hybrid grouper that not only matures faster, but is also able to withstand the vaga­ries of environmental conditions. More importantly, the first generation of the hybrid of tiger and giant groupers are now able to spawn in captivity, enabling them to be bred on a large scale. UMS Borneo Marine Research Institute (BMRI) director Dr Rozita Shapawi said the hybrid grouper was a major breakthrough because the species could withstand fluctuations in environmental conditions caused by climate change. For example, while most fish would be affected by changes in sea temperatures, the first and second generation of the hybrid grouper could still survive and spawn in slightly warmer or colder water conditions, she said. Dr Rozita said the hybrid grouper could thrive in normal salinity levels. It is also able to do so in fresh water, although its growth rate would be slower. She added that the hybrid grouper reached maturity in about eight months, which was about 40% faster than its non-hybrid parents. Dr Rozita said this breakthrough was the result of detailed research at BMRI since 2006. “While the hybrid grouper has taken the seafood industry by storm, we have conti­nued research on it,” she said, adding that growing the hybrid to maturity in the hat­chery took years. Dr Rozita said formulating the right diet and other conditions needed for its fertility had been a challenging task. “We have also developed nursery systems for the hybrid larvae that the world has not seen before,” she said. Their research came up with the first ge­neration of hybrid grouper that successfully spawned a second generation with a nearly 100% survival rate. “We will capitalise on positive genetic attributes of this second generation,” she said, adding that BMRI aimed to contribute more to the Sabahan aquaculture industry. “This will increase a supply of much sought-after groupers to the local market and help farmers earn a premium price through exports,” she said. Dr Rozita said another advantage was that there would be less pressure on the fast- depleting stocks of wild groupers. Source: The Star Online

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah is set to declare three of its marine parks as shark sanctuaries by mid-2016 in a bid to protect the endangered marine creatures, state Tourism, Culture and Environment minister Datuk Masidi Manjun said. He said the Tun Sakaran marine park in Semporna district, Tunku Abdul Rahman marine park here and the proposed Tun Mustapha marine park in Kudat would be declared shark sanctuaries. “These marine parks cover a total area of some 2mil hectares and is home to about 80% of our shark population,” said Masidi after launching the My Fin My Life campaign to reduce shark fin consumption and promote sustainable seafood here on Sunday. He said the move to ban shark fishing at the marine parks would hopefully increase the shark population Masidi said his ministry’s officers were finalising documents to be tabled during the state Cabinet meeting for the three marine parks to be gazetted as shark sanctuaries. He said the announcement would coincide with the declaration of the Tun Mustapha marine park in the middle of the year. He said the state had no choice but to use state laws to protect Sabah’s shark population when a request to the Federal government to amend the Fisheries Act to protect marine creature was rejected. “We only asked for shark hunting to be banned in Sabah, not in other states,” said Masidi, adding he was not afraid of being “politically incorrect” in the name of protecting the state’s natural heritage. Last September Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek said that the Sabah government’s request for a ban on shark hunting and finning in the state was unnecessary. He said sharks, unlike tuna, were accidentally caught by fishermen in Malaysian waters. This indicated that shark hunting and the finning industry did not exist in Malaysia. Source: The Star Online

Kota Kinabatangan: Cheers erupted as Nestle Malaysia and Sime Darby Foundation celebrated the success of Project RiLeaf by signing a collaborative agreement to extend the project for another two years till 2017, at Myne Resort, Bilit, last Wednesday. Nestle top brass Puan Zainun Nur Abdul Rauf (Executive Director, Group Corporate Affairs) signed for Nestle Malaysia, while Caroline Christine Russell, a Governing Council Member of Sime Darby Foundation (YSD), signed for the Foundation. Established in 2011, Project RiLeaf is focused on the twin objectives of restoring critical riverine forests of Lower Kinabatangan by planting indigenous trees to help minimise water pollution, boost the recolonisation of wildlife and to promote greater awareness on sustainable oil palm practices among the local community. Since then, a total of 480,580 trees of indigenous species had been planted in degraded riparian reserves covering an area of more than 2,300 hectares. The Project, first conceived in 2008, is part of Nestle's core philosophy on Creating Shared Value (CSV), to focus on safeguarding water – one of the world's most critical resources. But on November 1, 2013, Sime Darby Foundation came on board and signed its first collaborative agreement with Nestle (Malaysia) in Kuala Lumpur to co-fund Project RiLeaf by pledging RM2 million for two years over 2014-2015, witnessed by Sabah Culture, Tourism and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun. In a speech then, Sime Darby Bhd President and Group Chief Executive Tan Sri Dato Mohd Bakke Salleh said: "If he could 'see progress' in a project designed to heal 'one of the richest ecosystems in the world,' Sime Darby would keep the cash flowing. Sime Darby had kept its word, with Wednesday's pledge of RM1.8 million till 2017. Reason for the extension? "Thanks to a helpful Sabah, the project had exceeded its target," noted Sime Darby Foundation CEO Yatela Zainal Abidin, who cited a key helper in Forestry Director Datuk Sam Mannan, among them. Wednesday's signing ceremony hailed a morale boosting pact to continue building on the success of this project. But beyond reforesting critical riparian reserves in Kinabatangan, Project RiLeaf is actively pushing to tame the excesses of the oil palm planting practices. A key focus is spreading greater awareness on sustainable agricultural practices to oil palm smallholders. Its work over the last few years had resulted in an increased number of Roundtable of Sustainable Palm Oil-certified smallholders. Proof of progress in this new direction was the surprise presence of 115 'RSPO-Certified Smallholder Group, which marked a significant start to a new era of better agricultural practices at the grassroots level of a key river basin of Sabah. Said Puan Zainun Nur Abdul Rauf: "Project RiLeaf is part of Nestle's Creating Shared Value (CSV) philosophy to unite the needs of people, nature and palm oil agriculture through water – the most common source of vitality." "Together with Sime Darby Foundation and other key stakeholders, the project is making strides in bringing life back to the Kinabatangan River, and has positively impacted the local communities in the floodplains. Through this project extension, we look forward to accomplishing even more together with YSD (Sime Darby Foundation)," she added. Speaking next, Caroline Russell, said: "Sime Darby Foundation already has a very large footprint in conservation initiatives in Sabah and this reforestation project further complements our efforts." "We are pleased to be part of this significant collaboration with Nestle," Ms Russell added. "Over the past two years, this sustainable project has not only successfully enriched the biodiversity along the Kinabatangan River but also helped provide communities in the area additional income besides capacity building initiatives," she noted. "We hope other multi-national organisations would also come forward to bring 'relief' to the heavily fragmented habitat in the Lower Kinabatangan Sanctuary and increase the flora and fauna in the area," Russell appealed. But probably the most significant milestones that gave Wednesday a fitting celebration of the success of Project RiLeaf, was the presence of a sea of 115 oil palm smallholders who received RSPO certificates, after earning the status of 'RSPO-Certified Smallholder Group' for their fresh fruit bunch production based on their efforts in practising sustainable oil palm plantings, such as "judicious use of chemical fertilisers" plus a raft of other practices, said Yong Lee Keng, Nestle Malaysia Manager for Agricultural Services , an original driver of Project RiLeaf. "We are very happy to have been officially granted the RSPO certificate today, and to understand better environmentally –friendly oil palm planting with the help of Nestle Malaysia and Yayasan Sime Darby," said Norazizah Pibu. She said as a member of the participating group, she has personally experienced the positive changes through Project RiLeaf. "It fills me with pride to work together to protect the environment and our home at the Kinabatangan River." Source: Daily Express

Kota Kinabalu: The Banteng or the endemic wild cattle, number about 500 in Sabah. They are smaller and have steep horns. The animal is hunted for its meat and as trophy. Most of the population are found within the HoB although there are two groups which are separated from the rest in Sipitang and Tabin, its last stronghold in the east. There are also reports of hybrid banteng, a product of interbreeding with domestic cattle. Such interbreeding is bad news to conservationists who would prefer that the banteng retain their unique characteristics and qualities. The banteng is the second most endangered animal in Sabah after the rhinos and the Wildlife Department classified it as a totally protected animal. "Sabah is well-known for eco-tourism and it is tragic that we are fast losing many of our iconic animals. Banteng are hunted because of its meat and this unbridled appetite for exotic meat is killing our tourism industry, "said State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun. "There is now a greater need to educate the younger generation, who will be our saviour, on the importance of wildlife conservation. "Hunters also must be educated, they need to know their limits, what they can do and hunt and what they cannot. I realise this may not be a popular decision but so be it," he said. Wildlife, he said, is a valuable asset to the State's tourism but a dead and extinct rare animal would only satisfy the belly today and akin to killing the golden goose. He acknowledged that many people have acquired the taste for banteng meat, thus motivating hunters to seek for these animals as their rarity means more money can be made through the sale of the banteng meat. "I would suggest that the government gives ample land for banteng farming. I realise this is not an ideal solution but out of desperation… of course, there are differences between animals found in the wild and tame animals. "But just by looking at the rapid decline of the banteng population in the State, are we not desperate enough for this?" he said. Masidi also called for more cooperation from the private sector especially corporate companies who made billions of profit through their business activities in Sabah, to contribute towards conservation efforts. Spending just a fraction of the billions, he said, would not even put a dent in their bank accounts and it is always the best way to give back to the society after benefiting much from the generosity of the land in Sabah. The effort to track and record the Sabah banteng was fully sponsored by Yayasan Sime Darby who spent RM50m on camera traps, logistics, human resources and other expenses. Source: Daily Express

Kota Kinabalu: The Kota Kinabalu Wetlands Centre will celebrate the World Wetlands Day on Feb 27 and the public are invited to visit for free. The event, themed "Wetlands for our Future: Sustainable Livelihood", is organised by the Sabah Wetlands Conservation Society in collaboration with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. The opening ceremony is expected to be officiated by Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun. Also expected to attend is Mayor Datuk Yeo Boon Hai. According to a statement, the event aims to increase environmental awareness among the public about the value of wetlands for humanity and the planet. Among the activities are a 2km Walk-N-Plant-A-Thon (walkathon) into the mangrove, launching of 'A guide to the Plants of Kota Kinabalu Wetlands' book and registration of KK Wetlands Voluntary Guardian. The event is scheduled from 7.30am-2.30pm. For more information, contact 088-246955 or email at swcsadmin@sabahwetlands.org. Source: Daily Express