| Fizah HAB |
MAINTAINING a healthy environment for endangered large marine mammals is important.
This was stated by lead researcher Associate Professor Dr Saifullah A Jaaman of Universiti Malaysia Terengganu’s (UMT) Institute of Oceanography and Environment (INOS) in a recent interview with the Weekend Bulletin.
The professor, together with experts on marine research including a sea turtle biologist from UMT and marine ecologist from China as well as programme partners Sakam Enterprise, recently conducted a research survey on endangered large marine mammals that are available in Brunei Bay including the Irrawaddy dolphin, dugong and sea turtle.
“We are looking to find the population ecology for these marine species which includes their population density and distribution, social behaviour as well as their interactions with humans,” said Dr Saifullah A Jaaman. “Together with the help of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Brunei’s Heart of Borneo (HoB) Centre, Mahmud bin Haji Yussof, Biodiversity Research and Innovation Centre (BioRIC), we managed to gain good data on possibilities of these marine species existing on this side of the Brunei Bay.”
“After conducting an expedition in 2006 (on the Malaysian side of the bay) we found that the Brunei Bay is considered a prime location as a feeding ground as it houses pristine seagrass meadows that are the main diet of sea turtles and dugongs,” he added.
Dr Saifullah said since then, a number of studies have been done on the Malaysian side of the Brunei Bay however there have been no studies conducted on the Brunei side of the bay, which he added differs in landscape.
Dolphins spotted in Brunei Bay. – PHOTOS: FIZAH HAB
A colony of flying foxes hanging on tree branches
The Malaysian side of the bay is mostly open waters, he said, whereas the Bruneian side of the bay contains a number of islands as well as river ways. He also highlights the importance of both sides for the research, especially on migratory movement of the endangered large mammal species.
“The fact that there are dugongs and Irrawaddy dolphins in Brunei Bay means that the quality of the marine environment of the bay is very good,” said Dr Saifullah.
He said the marine mammals are referred to as indicator species as they will not be present in an area if the marine environment is not in good condition.
Dr Saifullah and his team will be assisted and guided by Mohd Vol bin Haji Momin and Bohari Abdullah, managing partners of Sakam Enterprise, a tour operator promoting eco-tourism.
Sakam Enterprise is involved in a number of conservation efforts, including assisting a research programme that is being conducted on Brunei Bay to study the endangered marine species that inhabit it.
“For me as someone who deals directly with eco-tourism, I am aware that the number of endangered marine mammals such as the dugongs is dwindling, I don’t want to see them disappear,” Mohd Vol said in an interview.
“Throughout our survey, after talking to local fishermen and dive operators, sightings of dolphins and dugongs are significantly decreasing,” he said. “One such key point that was bought up is the lack of pink dolphin sightings around these areas since 2012.”
He said the data is also necessary as it may aid in the management and conservation of the marine mammals, which he said could also become a sustainable source of revenue for Brunei. He also highlighted the fact that marine species like the Irrawaddy dolphins, dugongs and sea turtles, all of which can be found in Brunei Bay, are potential resources for marine eco-tourism.
“Through the study of these marine mammals, we can learn how to better protect them while having these animals as a source of income for the country,” he said. “It can also create awareness on why we need to conserve and have a healthy marine environment.”
He said due to the healthy environment of Brunei waters in housing the indicator species of marine mammals, he hopes collaboration can be established between UMT and relevant agencies in Brunei, including BioRIC and Universiti Brunei Darussalam, to create a hub for marine research in the country.
Dr Saifullah added that he hoped that the collaboration could initiate a endangered marine species programme in Brunei that would further strengthen efforts in the conservation of marine mammals as well as the habitat of Brunei Bay.
Dr Saifullah was in Brunei recently to conduct studies as well as to participate in the International Symposium on Marine Biodiversity 2016 that was held early this month at the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism.
He also hoped to come in the near future to conduct more in-depth research into Brunei Bay.
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