Diving (Part 2) - Undiscovered Territory

The state of fishing on these islands is largely undescribed; although scientific research suggests that for the most part fishing pressures are low. Indeed many of the islands here are only visited occasionally by small groups of researchers from Borneo Marine Research Institute. The discovery of junk wrecks and pottery dating back to between the 9th and 13th centuries suggests that this area was part of the trading route between China and Borneo during the Sung and Ming Dynasties and later. It is suspected that many more wrecks sunk on the extensive reef systems lie undiscovered. Moving south the majority of islands on Sabah's East coast are incorporated within Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), at each of these marine parks there are Famous Dive Locations, but also untouched and relatively unexplored islands of equal beauty. Such islands are absolutely stunning but for proper exploration a far deal of time and a good boat is required.

Part of the Spratly Islands, a large group of oceanic atolls much of whose territory is disputed between China and Taiwan, also comes within Sabahan territory. The famous Layang Layang is the most landward island of the Spratly Islands (although still more than 100 nautical miles offshore!) and is famed for it schools on scalloped hammerhead sharks, stunning drop-offs and big pelagic sightings. However still largely undescribed are other atolls of the Spratly Islands that lie within Malaysian territory. The area is only accessible by boat, but reports have reached me with stories of coral reefs encountered by lone sailors that are 'more abundant with life than Sipadan'. Although I take these words with a pinch of salt, I don't doubt them, and certainly it spurs some innate emotion to go and check the area out. Obviously other reefs are known in the area, Dallas Reef and Mariveles Reef, for example are supposed to be heaving with life.