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Push to Gazette Pulau Perak As Marine Park
Pulau Perak urgently needs to be gazetted as a protected marine area, if Peninsular Malaysia wants to have a marine park comparable with the Sipadan islands off Sabah.
A survey by the Universiti Malaya Maritime Research Centre (UMMReC) recently found that Pulau Perak, about 60 nautical miles southwest of Langkawi, has abundant marine life and corals.
The centre`s coral biologist, Affendi Yang Amri, who led a team of seven on a survey to gauge post-tsunami effects on the underwater environment in Langkawi and Pulau Perak said with proper planning, Pulau Perak can boost eco-tourism in the area.
'However, to turn the area into an eco-tourist attraction, careful consideration must be made especially when it comes to marine life,†he said.
He said during a six-day survey, the team made two new findings — the banded coral shrimp (Stenopus hispidus) and the rare nudibranch Phyllidiopsis phiphiensis.
'The reef check conducted since 1997 had found no banded coral shrimp in Malaysian waters but during the recent survey, we found a colony, possibly an after-effect of the tsunami,†said Affendi.
The other species found, he explained, were only available around Thailand`s Phi Phi Island before Dec 26.
However, Affendi said more research needed to be done to confirm the findings.
'Continuous research also needs to be carried out on the indirect effects of the tsunami in these areas,†he said.
Affendi also disclosed that the tsunami had not damaged the two island`s underwater environment.
'Our research showed minor damage was done by the tsunami. Instead, the damage on our deeper sea bed where the corals are located were found to be a result of natural embayment and man-made structures.â€
He was speaking after a Press conference by UMMReC, attended by Universiti Malaya`s Vice-Chancellor Datuk Professor Dr Hashim Yaacob and the centre`s head Professor Phang Siew Moi.
Affendi said the centre is trying to raise money for more of such surveys.
'This survey was successful as we made headway in understanding the effects of big waves on our coastal resources, namely coral reefs,†he said.
He stressed that reefs provide an extremely effective natural coastal protection similar to mangroves.
'With proper protection and promotion of reefs and mangroves, Malaysia will have the ideal low-cost coastal protection. Eco-tourism could also be boosted,†he said.
The UMMReC survey was carried out between late January and Feb 2.
Besides the centre, the survey was assisted by WWF-Malaysia, Malaysian Society of Marine Sciences, the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia and The World Fish Centre.
Kuala Lumpur 8/2/2005
