By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Nov 23: The Pristine Seas: Bringing The Ocean Back exhibition by the National Geographic Society has drawn 12,578 visitors since opening on Oct 28 at the Borneo Cultures Museum.
In a news report by TVS and Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas), Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah highlighted the exhibition’s dual purpose in showcasing the beauty of marine life and the ocean while raising awareness about the Pristine Seas project’s critical conservation efforts.
This initiative, he said, aligns with Sarawak’s goals under the Post-Covid Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030, emphasising sustainable development, collaboration with local communities, and the preservation of natural ecosystems to achieve its vision of becoming a developed region by 2030.
“I urge everyone to share news about this exhibition and seize the opportunity to witness the wonders of the Pristine Seas firsthand.
“This is an invaluable chance to learn more about ocean conservation and draw inspiration from the remarkable efforts to restore and protect our oceans.
“The exhibition serves as a powerful reminder to respect our oceans, safeguard marine life, and explore how we can all contribute to ‘Bringing The Ocean Back’,” he said at the launch of the exhibition today.
As a fishing and diving enthusiast, Abdul Karim noted the growing environmental awareness among Sarawak’s fishing community.
He observed that many now carry plastic bags to collect trash rather than discarding rubbish into the sea or rivers, reflecting a positive shift in attitudes toward marine conservation.
He commended the Pristine Seas project for its mission to restore the health and productivity of oceans while improving the livelihoods of coastal communities by safeguarding marine ecosystems from overfishing.
He also expressed confidence that the collaboration between National Geographic and the Sarawak Museum Department would inspire both the government and the people of Sarawak to champion principles of inclusive and sustainable development.
“The Pristine Seas project demonstrates the success that can be achieved, paving the way for a brighter and more sustainable future,” he said.
Abdul Karim expressed hope that the exhibition would become a major talking point, boosting tourism in Sarawak while encouraging the Sarawak Museum Department to develop more engaging and high-quality exhibitions in the future.
“The tourism industry has shown remarkable growth, with visitor arrival targets for 2022 and 2023 met, and the 2024 target of four million visitors already achieved by early November,” he added.
The Pristine Seas: Bringing The Ocean Back exhibition will run until April 13, 2025. — DayakDaily
