stephanie lee The Star 18 Oct 18;
KOTA KINABALU: There will be no more mangrove lands approved for shrimp farming in Sabah, says Datuk Junz Wong.
The Sabah Agriculture and Food Industries Minister said mangrove destruction for whatever purposes must be stopped for conservation.
“The destruction of valuable natural environment assets are irreversible, therefore instead of destroying the environment for wealth, we should promote and encourage agricultural economic development,” he said during a visit to the Pitas Shrimp Farm at Sungai Telaga in Pitas.
Wong urged prawn farmers to go upstream to create hatcheries, as well as downstream for prawn export.
Wong had also rejected a 1,000 acre mangrove land application for prawn farming.
A representative of six villages, which were initially affected once the land application was approved for shrimp farming, said the minister’s decision to ban future mangrove destruction was a dream come true for them.
“We have been pleading for the government to stop mangrove destruction and to prevent businesses from coming in to take away our mangroves,” said Mastupang Somoi.
He said the six villages involved were Kg Sungai Eloi, Kg Datong, Kg Boluuh, Kg Ungkup, Kg Gumpa and Kg Telaga.
“This also helps preserve and protect the numerous species of wildlife that are living in the area,” he said.
Mastupang said for an earlier 2,300 acre of mangrove land which have been destroyed to make way for development, he hoped the company involved would abide by rules set by the Environmental Impact Assessment.
“We also hope that the government and the company will help the villagers affected by the destruction of this mangrove land,” he added.
Mangrove no longer for shrimp farming
stephanie lee The Star 24 Oct 18;
KOTA KINABALU: No more mangrove land will be approved for shrimp farming in Sabah.
Agriculture and Food Industries Minister Datuk Junz Wong said mangrove destruction must be stopped for the sake of the environment.
“The destruction of valuable natural environment assets are irreversible.”
“Instead, we should encourage agricultural development, Wong said during a visit to a privately-owned shrimp farm at Sungai Telaga in Pitas to learn more about how farming is done.
“We need to make sure that there is enough for the local market before exporting.”
Meanwhile, Wong said he rejected an application to start prawn farming on mangrove land.
A representative from six villages which were initially going to be affected by shrimp farming on the land, welcomed the minister’s decision.
“We have been pleading for the government to stop mangrove destruction and prevent businesses from coming in,” said Mastupang Somoi.
He said the six villages were Kampung Sungai Eloi, Kampung Datong, Kampung Boluuh, Kampung Ungkup, Kampung Gumpa and Kampung Telaga.
“This also helps preserve and protect the numerous species of wildlife that are living in this area,” he said.
Mastupang added a large mangrove area was earlier taken for development.”
We hope the company involved would abide by the rules and not affect the environment adversely.
“We also hope the government will help villagers affected,” he added.
