[791] Of reefs at Sipadan damaged

A large barge crashed into reefs at Sipadan on Tuesday (tag). Reports indicate that the damage is extensive. Two witnesses wrote:

An enormous steel barge carrying thousands of tonnes of coarse gravel, sand, steel tubes, iron mesh, prime movers, a large bulldozer and a gigantic crane – which had incredibly been allowed to anchor right in front of Sipadan’s legendary dropoff before unloading its cargo on the supposedly protected island – was pushed against the reef by wind, ending up beached on the island like some monstrous whale. In the process of being beached, the barge scraped clean thousands of years of nature’s delicate work between the old pier and Barracuda Point. The barge’s flat steel hull wiped corals away like a giant knife slicing through butter, leaving in its wake hundreds of square metres of unnaturally flat limestone, and a veritable wall of coral and debris piled up against the beach.

While the damage is bad, the worse might not have come to pass. In the same report, the authors point out a sort of development going on at Sipadan. What the local government is doing? What kind of development does Sipadan need?

For goodness’ sake, just leave the island alone.

addendum – according to a blog, that development might be the construction of a marine research facility. What’s left to be researched when all is gone? The case is starting to look similar to the marina case at Tioman. The marina is meant to boost tourism. But who would come to Tioman when the marina construction ruins the reefs? Wacky government.

p/s – I need to go to Putrajaya early in the morning tomorrow but UEFA Champions League final will be up in less than 45 minutes from now. Looks like I’ll be yawning throughout the morning. Possibly the day.

pp/s – Arsenal made history – Lehman becomes the first keep to be sent off in a UEFA Champs League Final. LOL! But Arsenal fought valiantly I suppose, considering they played with 10 people against full team Barca.