Bidong Island once again became the centre of attention among scuba divers when Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) organized its trademark annual event Bidong Merdeka Dive 2019.    

Held in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture (MoTAC), the programme was the 11^th to date. Bidong Merdeka Dive was first organized in 2008. Each year, different interesting and environmental-friendly related themes are introduced.

In line with this year’s theme Love Our Malaysia: A Clean Malaysia, the programme involved several activities such as cleaning up the beach area and sea bottom.

One of the programme’s aims was to inject the love for the oceans through dissemination of knowledge regarding the impact of plastic pollution on the marine environment, said Associate Professor Dr Hasrizal Shaari, Diector of Centre of Research and Field Services (CRAFS), UMT.

Activities taking place included the gathering of plastic waste and marine debris at the sea bottom and a talk on marine life threats caused by human activities.

Marine debris is solid materials disposed of in the sea. Examples include beverage tins, plastic bags, fishing equipment, and waste from ships.

The clean-up activities also allowed the participants to know the uniqueness of the Bidong Island, known for keeping many marine biodiversity treasures, Dr Hasrizal said.

Bidong Island is in the record book as the first island to have an underwater gallery made up of recreational reefs that serves as an attraction for scuba diving enthusiasts.

Besides helping to promote environmental conservation, the programme could provide a boost for tourism products available in Terengganu, Dr Hasrizal said.

“I hope Bidong Merdeka Dive 2019 can promote the concept of volunteerism among participants in maintaining the beauty of marine environment particularly at Bidong Island. The programme is in line with the role of UMT as a conservation university and with its slogan Ocean of Discovery, for Global Sustainability, Dr Hasrizal said.

Bidong Merdeka Dive 2019 attracted around 150 scuba divers, mostly members of diver’s clubs such as MOTAC, UMT, Malaysia Coral Foundation, Darul Iman Scuba Diving Association, and Kak Limah Diving team.

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Corporate Communication Centre

Universiti Malaysia Terengganu

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