Mabul
Island is located at the south-eastern coast of Sabah, the Indo Pacific Rim
which is the migration center of Tuna fish and blessed with abundance marine
natural resources. In 2011, Enactus University of Malaysia Sabah has
implemented an innovative Payao mechanism in the open sea nearby Mabul Island.
The Payao implementation creates an effective and economically sound fish
aggregating device to create a new fish habitat that reduces the risk and
increases the profitability of deep sea fishing for fishermen in Mabul Island.
The Payao has 3 functional parts; the floating platform, the anchorage and the
fish attractant section. It uses coconut leaves that hangs from a rope and
connected to a floater which act as the fish shelter. Algae blooms on the coconut
leaves and this attracts small fish which in turn attracts bigger fish to prey
on the small fish.
How this fishing experience works?
It uses the concept of catch and release. Payao
fishermen provide this opportunity so that everyone will stand a chance to
experience the Tuna fishing. Tuna that you catch has to be released back to the
sea. If you plan to bring your catches back home, shall you pay to the
fishermen RM 10 per kg.
Here are some reasons why you should jump into this awesome fishing experience:
The opportunity to catch Tuna is very rare in Malaysia. In Malaysia, Tuna can only be found in Sulu Sea near to the Mabul Island. People usually visits Mabul Island to dive in Sipadan Island. Now, for the anglers, let us have our life here!
You will be able to have the opportunity of fishing in the deep sea region because Tuna can only be found there. The Payao device is implemented within 1000m depth in the sea.
Besides fishing, you will also have the chance to ride on an exotic boat called Bot Jongkong that is uniquely made by the fishermen in Mabul Island. Every year in April there is a water festival held in Semporna, a small town in the eastern coast of Sabah, called The Regatta Lepa, one of the major important events in our National Tourism Calendar. “Lepa” means “boat” is believed to be originated from the Pala’u Bajau people who live in Bum Bum Island and used by fishermen along the coast of Semporna. And yes, you will be experiencing fishing Tuna on a huge Bot Jongkong above 1000m depth of sea where you will never get it anywhere else.
