KOTA KINABALU, Malaysia (24 May 2006) -- Alarmed that the public perception of damaged coral reefs could lead to a decline in tourist arrivals, Malaysia dive operators rushed to endorse a controversial government scheme to develop new tourist facilities on the small and beleaguered island of Sipadan. Conversely, local officials, environmentalists and concerned divers throughout the global scuba diving community have harshly criticised the project after a barge carrying construction materials and heavy machinery ran aground on Sipadan and destroyed a coral reef. Many including Malaysia's top government officials have expressed shock that a scheme to construct permanent tourist facilities had been approved for Sipadan, where tourism and dive industry overdevelopment severely damaged the island's fragile ecosystem. In 2004, the government of Malaysia evicted all dive shop and dive resort owners after environmental surveys confirmed that the island's groundwater was polluted with sewage and surrounding reefs were under severe stress. Dive operators fought the eviction order but failed to block a government-sponsored campaign to protect the island from damage caused by too many dive shops, too many dive resorts and too many scuba diving tourists. Despite promises to establish a marine reserve that would return the island to its natural state, the government now seems bent on redeveloping the island for tourists; local dive operators are ecstatic that new permanent facilities will be built with public funds. According to a statement by Malaysia dive operators at a regional dive industry trade show, "...the construction of permanent facilities represents a major ongoing financial commitment by Sabah Parks and the Sabah Ministry of Tourism to ensure adequate (tourist) infrastructure...we are grateful for this support." © CDNN - CYBER DIVER NEWS NETWORK | 
