Galloping to seahorse rescue
The New Straits Times 22 Aug 2005
Johor Baru, Sun - The Port of
Tanjung Pelepas (PTP) is willing to work with a group of
conservationists to save a seagrass bed at Tanjung Kupang which is a
habitat of seahorses.
The
eight-hectare area is located within the port waters on the eastern
side of the Pulai estuary, a place that is earmarked for development.
PTP
has asked the Save Our Seahorses (SOS) Action Committee to submit a
proposal on ways to protect the area, which is also a feeding ground
for sea cows and storks.
SOS
consultant marine biologist Choo Chee Kuang, a pioneer researcher on
the seahorse population in Johor, said the seagrass bed -- the largest
in the country -- should be regarded as a national heritage.
"As
a breeding area rich in marine life, it provides an important source of
livelihood for the coastal fishing community. Re-planting a seagrass
bed of this size may cost close to RM3 million," Choo said. He added
that the seagrass bed also helped prevent coastal erosion.
A survey conducted by him indicated only about 400 seahorses left in the Pulai estuary.
Choo
was speaking to reporters at Kampung Melayu Arang after a media trip
organised by SOS. Present were Malaysian Nature Society chairman Lim
Teong Kheng, PTP deputy chief executive Capt Ismail Hashim and Kg
Melayu Arang village security and development chairman Mohd Ali Sarno.
Ismail said PTP would have to study the proposal by SOS, adding it was supportive of the group's cause.
But
he said other development was also coming up in the area, hence any
action taken would have to be in line with the State Government's
initiatives.
Mohd Ali claimed fishermen had reported a 50 per cent drop in catches since the area was developed six years ago. | 
