Despite The Pandemic SFB’s Work And Illegal Fish Bombing Continues

With much of the world locked down due to pandemic concerns, Stop Fish Bombing is continuing to work toward our goals.

The arrays in Sabah are still operating and are fully capable of detecting and reporting bombs autonomously, as they are built to do. We have continued to detect bombs as usual. Our sensors can be remotely managed over the internet, so we anticipate continuing data flow in during this unprecedented shutdown.

Whether COVID-19, and the hardships that it is causing, will propel an increase in fish bombing remains to be seen. The good thing is that we are in a really strong position to monitor and report on bombing activity while everyone is staying at home.

In addition to our detecting and reporting, SFB Malaysia Executive Director Terence Lim has been doing his own part to help the local community in Sabah. Lim has been focused on a family group of about 45 living in Kudat, Banggi Island.

With the Restricted Movement order issued by the Malaysia Authorities, this family like other members of the stateless community off the islands in Sabah are finding it very difficult. They need to go out to sea to catch fish to both eat and to sell to provide the family for other food items like rice, sugar, cooking oil, four and fuel. He has been able to facilitate getting some badly needed provisions for the family.

Lim has been providing news and information as well as advising them to stay on the island and limit their contact with people that they are not familiar with.