Twin brothers embark on scuba diving mission to save Malaysia's marine life

Two brothers from Malaysia have made it their mission to protect the country’s precious marine life, and prevent it from any further harm caused by fishermen and tourists taking scuba diving holidays.

The 25-year-old twin brothers, Faiz and Farid Hamidon, first discovered their passion for the underwater sport during a placement on the Rakan Cinta Laut (Children of the Sea) part of the Rakan Muda programme; which they took when they were at school.

The programme is carried out in partnership with the non-governmental organisation, Coral Malaysia, and enabled the twins to learn how to scuba dive and complete their “Open Water” scuba diving licence.

Speaking of his experience beneath the ocean’s surface, Farid said: "It is totally different down there; I just feel like a stranger in a foreign land."

Both brothers are keen to voice their concerns over the irresponsible acts carried out by both fishermen and tourists who have visited the waters for exotic scuba diving holidays in Malaysia.

Faiz explained the harm to the marine environment which is caused by fishing. He said: "The bottom trawl net works like a broom that we use to sweep the floor. However, underwater, the gigantic net sweeps the seabed dragging with it everything, including endangered marine species like sea turtles, and even corals.

"When nets get entangled in reefs, fishermen cut them off. The discarded net poses another threat to marine life. It is sad to see young sea turtles get stuck and die in these nets."

Fishermen also use fish bombs which can cause serious damage throughout the marine ecosystem.

Highlighting the carelessness of tourists during scuba diving holidays in the areas, Farid explained that tourists collect marine treasures from beautiful underwater sites as souvenirs to take home, and also dispose of the rubbish in the ocean.

He said: "Don't think this trash of yours will create artificial reefs. Most of this trash will only pollute the marine ecosystem, and contribute to the extinction of marine life. Scuba divers sometimes take corals as souvenirs, and ignorant divers may end up stepping on coral reefs and destroying them. These are just some of the many destructive actions that have deteriorated our sea heritage that took thousands of years to develop to its current state," he added.

Since joining Coral Malaysia, the brothers have participated in several underwater conservation programmes including their favourite: the Earth Day project.

On 21st July each year, Coral Malaysia celebrates Earth Day with an underwater clean-up. Divers from all over the country meet up in Pulau Bidong to collect rubbish from both the seabed and the shores.

The twins, took part in the 2009 and 2010 Earth Day Project, and have noticed that life beneath the waters surrounding Pulau Bidong, one of Malaysia’s leading scuba diving destinations, has transformed to beautiful reefs rich in marine life.

Farid commented: "It is time for all to realise that we have to conserve the beauty of this world for the benefit of the future generations."