Malaysia: New plastic fish trap conserves the environment

New fish trap conserves the environs, cheaper, easy to use and lasts longer
Ruben Sario The Star 14 Jan 13;

KOTA KINABALU: Ironically, plastic is helping to conserve the environment in the wildlife-rich Kinabatangan region among fishermen and the technique is spreading to the nearby east coast Paitan district.

Fishermen in Kampung Sukau, along Sungai Kinabatangan, now make their bubu fish traps from plastic wire mesh with a technique introduced by conservation NGO, HUTAN.

Traditionally, fishermen strip the bark of certain hardwood trees to make the traps, often damaging the trees.

Sometimes, they even chopped down the trees to make the traditional bubu, which lasts for just about six months, said HUTAN-Kinabatangan Orang Utan Conservation programme (KOCP) manager Datu Ahbam Abulani.

The traps made out of plastic mesh last a long time and the Sukau fishermen are passing the skill to their counterparts in Paitan.

“This is an example of using plastic to do good for the environment,” said Datu Ahbam.

Recognising the value of protecting trees from over exploitation by fishermen, the introduction of the plastic mesh traps in Paitan was jointly launched with the District Office, the Sabah Wildlife Department and the Environmental Protection Department recently.

“Using the wire mesh method is easy and can be done in a morning. However, a traditional bubu can take up to a week to make,” said Datu Ahbam.

The cost of the wire mesh material is less than RM200 and fishermen from Sukau provide the training.

“We worked with fishermen in Sukau for more than a year to come up with a sustainable replacement which also had to be a cost effective alternative.

“The traditional bubu had a negative impact on the forest and wildlife within Kinabatangan,” said Datu Ahbam.