The Downbelow crew assisted by our PADI Divemaster and Instructor Development Course (IDC) interns removed another illegally dumped fishing net found within the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park in Borneo.

The park is a protected area and any fishing activity is illegal so fishing nets are not common but unfortunately are sometimes found, sometimes they wash into the park from elsewhere.

The only logical reaction from Downbelow is of course to remove it immediately and stop the danger it was posing.

So as usual, resident PADI Platinum Course Director Richard Swann gave a detailed briefing to everyone involved. This is to ensure every single diver knew the techniques in removing the net while taking care not to damage the reef or hurting other divers.

For Richard, he has performed more than 100 net removals from the waters in the park so he knew exactly what to do and how to do it.

Only after everyone knew what they needed to know did they set off to the dive site, descend underwater and remove the nets.

The team worked like clockwork as they helped each other while also doing their own assigned task. Much to the relief of the marine life there, the team removed the net without much difficulty.

We hope that the passion and commitment to help the environment will be rubbed on the interns especially those who experienced this for the first time.