Plastic threat to bay

DISPOSAL of garbage, especially plastic, continues to be a threat to the rich biodiversity of Kimbe Bay, Kulungi Locally Managed Marine Area (LMMA) secretary Gabriel Bakani says. “The over-harvesting of resources and environmental threats from human activities are prompting communities to establish protected areas to prevent further damage to the ecosystem,” he said. Bakani said the Kulungi LMMA was launched in 2009 and currently, there were 10 LMMAs with a couple more to be launched. The LMMAs are all led by Kimbe Bay communities. Bakani said other threats to marine life included oil spills from ships, use of poison in fishing and harvesting of mangrove logs. “Dynamite fishing was popular and was a serious concern but with the establishment of the LMMA and awareness programmes that has stopped,” he said. “There are two big oil palm plantations within the LMMA area that have planted oil palm all the way right to the beach. “We approached them and they have established a buffer zone for their plantations. “We still fear the impacts of the fertilisers from the plantations polluting the sea. “The continuous erosion in the plantation areas near the beach is still a concern. “But, since the establishment of protected areas, the communities know when and where to harvest.”