(Update: 23 July 2010)

Several dive sites in three states in Peninsular Malaysia have been temporary closed due to coral bleaching, a phenomenon caused by global warming  that  has increased sea water temperature. According to the Department of Marine Park, Malaysia has more than 80 dive sites.

The closure period is from July 2 until October 31, 2010 and the affected areas are listed below:

KEDAH

Pulau Payar (3 out of 8 sites) - Teluk Wangi, Pantai Damai dan Coral Garden;

TERENGGANU

Pulau Perhentian Besar ( 2 out of 9 sites) - Teluk Dalam, Tanjung Tukas Darat to Tanjung Tukas Laut

Pulau Redang (1 out of 9 sites) - Teluk Bakau

Pulau Tenggol  (1 out of 8 sites) - Teluk Ayer Tawar

PAHANG

Pulau Chebeh
Pulau Tulai – Batu Malang
Pulau Rengis
Pulau Tumok
Pulau Soyak

The Director General of Department of Marine Park of Malaysia, Mr. Abdul Jamal Mydin said, it was necessary to close marine parks and islands to protect the coral reefs which had turned white.

“We are monitoring the extent of coral bleaching at all marine parks in the country,” he said.

For updates and more information please surf the link:
http://www.dmpm.nre.gov.my/index.php?lang=en   or contact:

Ms. Halijah Mat Sin
Director
Education & Information Interpretation Division
Department of Marine Park of Malaysia
PUTRAJAYA, MALAYSIA
Tel : 60-3-8886 1726 /6019-3322779
Email: halijahmatsin@nre.gov.my

Issued by: Communications and Publicity Division, Kuala Lumpur
Date:    23 July 2010
Contact:  Wan Zawawi Mohammed, Director  at (03) 2615 8498
or email: wanzawawi@tourism.gov.my
Website: www.tourismmalaysia.gov.my