LABUAN: A 1m nurse shark, believed to be a very young juvenile only a few weeks or months old, was spotted in the waters surrounding Rusukan Kecil Island last week.

The rare sighting was made by Labuan Dive Club member Tan Zhi Shan during a recreational dive on Sept 14 in the Labuan Marine Park.

Labuan Dive Club president Teoh Ming Woei said the discovery was an encouraging sign for the island's marine ecosystem.

"The sighting of this juvenile nurse shark will enrich the marine life in Labuan waters. It is good for recreational diving, as it adds to the biodiversity that divers can appreciate here.

"The nurse shark is the latest discovery in Labuan waters, reflecting the growing biodiversity of our marine ecosystem and shows that Labuan continues to be an exciting and safe diving destination," he told Bernama Tuesday (Sept 16).

In addition to the nurse shark, members of the club also reported sightings of blacktip and lizard sharks around Kuraman Island and Rusukan Kecil Island.

Woei stressed these species are not harmful to humans and further enhance the diving experience in Labuan.

"Nurse sharks (Ginglymostoma cirratum), a slow-moving bottom-dwelling species, are generally harmless to humans but are considered vital to marine biodiversity," he said.

He said the presence of such a young specimen may indicate that Labuan's waters provide a suitable habitat and nursery ground for marine life, underscoring the importance of protecting coral reefs and surrounding ecosystems.

Rusukan Kecil Island, one of Labuan's popular marine park islands, is part of the Labuan Marine Park, which also encompasses Pulau Kuraman and Pulau Rusukan Besar.

These islands are well known for their rich marine biodiversity, attracting divers and eco-tourists. Rusukan Kecil is also being eyed as the site for a new tourism resort, which could further boost the island's eco-tourism appeal. - Bernama