Photos of the day: Dolphins bask in Langkawi

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Photograph by Jonathan Dexter @jondexphoto - used with permission

This brilliant photo by Jonathan Dexter shows dolphins having a good time in Langkawi – and in a way, highlights the importance of protecting our coastal waters for future generations.

Here’s a close-up:

Until quite recently, dolphins used to make periodic appearances in Penang as they frolicked in the waters to the delight of those privileged enough to see them.

This is from a few years ago:

But the sightings have become few and far between now, if at all. It has been a while since we last saw these loveable creatures in the waters off Penang.

Meanwhile, heavy machinery is carrying out massive reclamation along the northeastern, eastern and southwestern shores, disturbing our panaromic coastlines and churning up the water and sand.

All this is paving the way for the big one: the massive three islands project, spanning 4,500 acres off the southern coast of Penang Island.

There’s more trouble off the northern coast of Penang Island:

Check out this statement by TBRA:

TBRA calls for urgent action to stop metal pollution in Penang’s north coast seas

The Tanjung Bungah Residents’ Association is alarmed and expresses deep concern over the findings of very high levels of heavy metals in the sea waters off Tanjung Bungah as well as the Penang National Park in Teluk Bahang.

According to a report in the media on 11 May, very high levels of nickel have been found with concentrations as high as 944% higher than normal levels in the sea off the Penang National Park.

According to studies done by Universiti Sains Malaysia’s Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies (Cemac), high levels of lead were also found (184% above normal levels) while cadmium was 32% higher than normal.

These findings are alarming and have been found along the island’s north coast since last month and may be causing the death to marine life, according to Professor Aileen Tan of Cemacs.

According to media reports, Prof Tan has alerted the authorities, including the Department of Environment and the Fisheries Department over the findings but the source of the pollution has not been determined.

Since no industrial activity and development is allowed in the Penang National Park, Prof Tan is quoted as saying that “the only logical explanation for this pollution is that passing ships could be dumping something”, which may have been going on for some time now, given the high levels of the metals.

TBRA echoes the concerns raised by Cemacs and we call on the Penang state government to convene an emergency task force with all the relevant authorities involved, to address the source of the heavy metal pollution and take all necessary measures to stop the pollution, including alerting and warning the public about the dangers of swimming in such waters.

The north coast seas of Teluk Bahang and Tanjung Bungah are popular swimming sites for both local and foreign tourists. The public is totally in the dark about the pollution.

Nickel, cadmium and lead are highly toxic heavy metals and are dangerous to humans and marine life, and it is indeed worrying that no action appears to have been taken thus far, despite the high levels of pollution found.

The federal and state authorities must act urgently to stop the pollution of our seas and safeguard and protect both public health and the destruction of the marine life.

Meena Raman is chairperson of the Tanjung Bungah Residents’ Association.

In our quest for so-called ‘development’ at all costs in this Endgame, are we not losing something precious?

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BB Boy
BB Boy
16 May 2019 10.04pm

North coast high level of toxic metals could be due to no proper disposal of old modern tech gadgets like smartphones batteries. Anyway Tanjung Bungah folks no need worry as this can become insignificant when impending USA-Iran warfare can spell doom for humans, dolphins etc

Jordan
Jordan
17 May 2019 6.39pm

St George’s Church of Penang is featured in the latest Pos Malaysia stamp.
https://m.malaysiakini.com/news/476528

Naruto
Naruto
17 May 2019 3.23pm

New tourist attraction?

Don’t scare the dolphins away!

glissantia
glissantia
17 May 2019 1.42pm

The ways of getting rid of industrial poisons and waste: – Accumulate it onsite until you abandon the site – as in the case of Lynas. – Dump it nearby – with the collusion of domestic authorities. – Incinerate it – so-called waste-to-energy – with the collusion of domestic authorities. – Bury it. – Export it – with the collusion of local and foreign authorities – a major source of “dedak”. – Dump it at sea – this may explain much of the poisoning and “garbage patches”. Plastic micro-particles now pervade the air, food, drink, human bodies and the remotest… Read more »

Jordan
Jordan
17 May 2019 10.23am

Climate change causes Islands to disappear (60 Minutes Australia):
https://youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=N1cdCUZNh04
With the world heating up, drastic rises in sea level mean whole islands are literally disappearing. It’s an extraordinary sight, and proof positive we must do more, right now.

BB Boy
BB Boy
17 May 2019 7.10pm
Reply to  Jordan

The future 3 man-made islands need high density of landfill to avoid being consumed by climate change high rise sea water. Beware they don’t remove the land from the hills to fill up the sea!

BB Boy
BB Boy
20 May 2019 9.35pm
Reply to  BB Boy

Penang Forum today said the island reclamation to use the sea sand evacuated off the Perak coastlines. Will Perak be compensated? Anil can kindly update us.

tunglang
tunglang
17 May 2019 7.07am

Tidak apa attitude & lackadaisical work culture is the main cause of no passion @ work = leading to all kinds of problem esp. enforcement. You go to the US & try to break the marine laws & you no sooner see the marine corps right at your boat side.
Try night camping at Pantai Kerachut (Penang National Park @ Telok Bahang) but beware of Indon pirates landing at shores & coming for your belongings! This has been going on for years way back in the 80s – 90s. What marine enforcement @ night?

Jordan
Jordan
17 May 2019 6.41pm
Reply to  tunglang
BB Boy
BB Boy
17 May 2019 7.07pm
Reply to  tunglang

The Monkeys at Pantai Keracut can be trained to alert the marine should there be shore invaders. No tiger park but monkey park possible here, can import many from botanical garden.

tunglang
tunglang
18 May 2019 8.09am
Reply to  BB Boy

Pantai Kerachut was famous for its tiger tracks in the 60s – 70s, a paranormal esp for the boy scouts of Penang. Could these tracks belonged to the Tiger Saka (old spirit of the forest)?
At midnight, one camping at the beach will be amazed by the millions of twinkling stars & shooting meteors of the universe on a cloudless, moonless night. Prick your ears 360° scanning for a soft roar of Tiger Saka in the Meromictic Lake just behind the beach.

Jordan
Jordan
18 May 2019 11.55am
Reply to  tunglang

Now popular among youngster: Black Tiger bubble tea drink – Hari Hari Mau!

Wei
Wei
16 May 2019 5.50pm

no dolphin sign of over-fishing in and around Penang , no food for them that is why…time to restrict indiscriminate fishing activities in Penang……

Wei
Wei
16 May 2019 5.31pm

The hilly terrain of Tanjung Bungah is very fragile and should not be populated by human being, all the residents there should be made to move to Sungai Bakap and Nibong Tebal where space is aplenty..this also help to balance developments in both side of the straits as have always been demanded by those smart NGOs…..what say you ?