KOTA KINABALU: Science and society can be an effective team in identifying and documenting Sabah's unique and diverse marine life, says underwater videographer Ag Ahmad Zaki Abu Bakar.

       Citing a dive collaboration with the Semporna Tourist Association that led to the discovery of two new marine species, he said this proves that members of the public can be more than just visitors or divers but can also help scientists document undersea findings.

       “I feel that while Sabah's biodiversity on land has been well documented, not much is known about the unique and distinct species of Sabah’s marine life,” he said in a statement on Monday (July 19).

       His dive trip with the Semporna Tourism Association led to the discovery of micro sea creatures, subsequently named Cerapus bumbumiensis sp and Idiomysis bumbumiensis sp, at Bum-Bum Island off Semporna.

       A video of the 2019 discovery attracted the attention of researchers from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) and Sabah Parks, among others, and paved the way for more collaboration.

       “With the recent findings, the undertaking of cataloguing species became more exciting,” he added.

       UKM Associate Prof Dr Azman Abdul Rahim said when contacted that these initiatives give scientists an opportunity to be involved in educational activities about the undersea environment and open up avenues for large-scale research in marine biology.

       He said it helps make the public aware of the importance of the living environment and suggests new ways to protect and conserve our natural heritage.

       Sabah Parks principal assistant director for research and education Dr Nasrulhakim Maidin said life in the depths of the ocean, especially its tiny inhabitants like micro- and macro-organisms, is still a big mystery.

       “Our coral reef has been known to accommodate distinct communities with diverse native and endemic species of fauna, but studies are still lacking,” he said when contacted.

       He acknowledged that the underwater world has been a more popular attraction since the emergence of public interest in macro photography.

       Such interests also provide a new impetus to increasing public awareness of life in the oceans, and reflect the current trend towards the embedding of science in society, Nasrulhakim added.