Fishermen in bid to save mangroves in Johor, Malaysia

Chuah Bee Kim, New Straits Times 4 Aug 09;

PONTIAN: The hive of activity at Sungai Perpat in Pengkalan Perpat, Tanjung Bin near here, on Saturday made it look like a fiesta.

However, the gathering of local fishermen was to get the government to save the mangrove forest, covering 913ha, at Tanjung Bin.

It was organised by the "save the mangrove action committee" and comprised representatives from seven villages in Mukim Serkat.

They were supported by three non-governmental organisations -- Save Our Seahorses (S.O.S.), Friends of Nature and Peninsular Malaysia Inshore Fishermen Association (PMIFA).

The event was held to protest the proposal to build a petrochemical and maritime hub at the site.

There was a banner which read "We Love Mangrove, Please Don't Cut Them Down".

Action committee chairman Shamsuddin Aziz said the group would soon submit a memorandum to the menteri besar and the office of the prime minister to highlight their request.

PMIFA president Jamaluddin Muhamed said the hub could adversely affect the eco-system and also disrupt the livelihood of some 500 traditional inshore fishermen.

S.O.S. programme coordinator Choo Chee Kuang said it would damage the environment and pose health hazards to residents.