Echoes Of The Deep Exhibition Raises Public Awareness On Marine Life Protection

KUALA LUMPUR, June 30 (Bernama) -- The Echoes of the Deep: Pulau Sembilan Reborn photo exhibition serves as a creative platform to raise awareness of the dangers of ghost nets and advocate for the protection of marine ecosystems.

The month-long exhibition, organised by the Malaysian Takaful Association (MTA), begins today at the Financial Services Library (FSL), AICB Centre of Excellence, here, featuring 30 underwater photographs captured around Pulau Sembilan, Perak.

According to MTA chief executive officer Mohd Radzuan Mohamed, the island was selected as ghost nets found on the seabed in its marine-rich waters pose a serious threat to coral reefs and marine ecosystems.

“This exhibition is not merely a visual narrative but also a call to action involving cooperation from all parties, including the state government, universities, associations and industry, in efforts to preserve the environment and protect the ocean,” he told Bernama after launching the exhibition here today.

The exhibition, organised in collaboration with Etiqa General Takaful Berhad (EGTB), the Nature & Oceanography Advocate Society (NOAS) and Universiti Sultan Azlan Shah (USAS), runs until July 30 and is open to the public free of charge.

Mohd Radzuan said MTA also organised beach and seabed clean-up activities aimed at equipping youth and volunteers with knowledge and awareness on marine conservation.

“The beach clean-up programme was carried out to remove ghost nets from the seabed, with 50 university students sent to Pulau Pangkor as part of efforts to raise awareness among the younger generation on the need to better care for the marine ecosystem,” he said.

Meanwhile, EGTB chief executive officer Shahrul Azuan Mohamed, in a statement, said the company remained committed to environmental sustainability through the implementation of various programmes.

“In line with Etiqa’s vision, ‘To Make the World a Better Place’, the company has, since 2022, supported ocean protection through three marine conservation projects in collaboration with marine experts.

“From monitoring coral reef health and conducting educational workshops to organising community engagement programmes, we focus on making an impact in areas that truly need it,” he said.

--BERNAMA