Latest news with #AileenTan
The Star
22-04-2025
- General
- The Star
‘Condos' to boost fish population
Home sweet home: The artificial reefs that will be deployed in the waters near Pulau Kendi will provide long-term benefits for the local fishing community in Penang. — ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star GEORGE TOWN: The fish population around Penang island will soon be living in 'flat units and bungalows' as specially designed artificial reefs have been deployed in the sea to create a safe and thriving marine habitat. A total of 20 of these reef structures, resembling miniature unfinished condominiums, are being placed off Pulau Kendi as part of a biodiversity 'township', an initiative aimed at restoring marine life and ecosystems in the southern waters of Penang. Each reef weighs between nine and 21 tonnes, comprising two large units and 18 smaller ones. Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies (Cemacs) director Prof Datuk Dr Aileen Tan said that Universiti Sains Malaysia's research team would monitor and assess the artificial reef and unjam (fish aggregation device) areas to evaluate their effectiveness. 'This is a project we've been planning since 2023. 'The heavy concrete reefs are designed to remain anchored on the seabed, providing safe breeding grounds for fish – almost like a gated community,' she said. The larger reef structures, measuring 3m x 3m x 3.5m, have weighted bottoms to ensure stability on soft seabeds and sloped tops to prevent sediment building up while encouraging marine colonisation. 'They also include 'letterbox' crevices that serve as homes for fish and invertebrates,' she added. Smaller cuboid reefs are also designed with crevices to attract bottom-dwelling marine species, helping to populate the area with fish and prawns. (Click To Enlarge) Penang Infrastructure Corporation Sdn Bhd (PIC) chief executive officer Datuk Seri Farizan Darus said the deployment was a key initiative under the Penang South Island (PSI) Ecology Offset Masterplan (PEOM) – a collaboration between the state government through PIC, Silicon Island Development Sdn Bhd (SIDSB) and Cemacs. 'The artificial reefs will create new habitats for marine life, while the unjam structures are designed to attract and concentrate fish in designated areas,' he said during the launch at KBH Marine Logistics Centre in Macallum Street Ghaut here yesterday. He added that the initiative was part of the government's broader strategy to protect and restore the marine ecosystem, especially in areas surrounding the Silicon Island project. Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Dr Mohamad Abdul Hamid, who launched the project, said it was part of PEOM's comprehensive implementation. 'It also includes mangrove planting, fish and prawn restocking, research grant disbursement, and offshore enhancement efforts,' he said. The prawn restocking programme has already entered its third phase, with fish restocking expected to begin in May. 'To date, 23,200 mangrove trees have been planted, and a research grant has been awarded to Cemacs to study coral recruitment for reef rehabilitation around Pulau Kendi,' Mohamad added. The PSI reclamation project – previously known as Island A – is now called Silicon Island. It is being developed by SIDSB, which also oversees the design and management of Phase 1 reclamation works via turnkey contractor SRS TC Sdn Bhd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Gamuda Bhd.
New Straits Times
22-04-2025
- Science
- New Straits Times
Rubbish likely drifts in from upriver towns, says expert
KUALA MUDA: A key contributor to the pollution of Pantai Tanjung Dawai is garbage and debris from rivers in the northern part of the state, said a marine and coastal studies expert. Universiti Sains Malaysia's (USM) Professor Datuk Dr Aileen Tan said rubbish washing ashore on the beach likely flowed from upriver towns into the sea via Sungai Merbok before tidal currents brought it back inland. "There is no definitive study on Pantai Tanjung Dawai, but the composition of the rubbish from images shared by residents suggests it is most likely domestic waste from upstream," she told the New Straits Times. "The tidal behaviour suggests it drifts in from upstream towns." Tan, who is USM's Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies director, said without a control mechanism upstream, clean-up efforts at the beach will remain short-lived. She proposed installing rubbish barriers near the river mouth of Sungai Merbok and filtration traps in stormwater systems in towns to tackle the issue at the source. "A 1994 study on the Merbok estuary found that tides in shallow nearshore zones reverse earlier than deeper waters, pushing debris towards the shore, where it gets trapped." She added that fostering community-led monitoring and integrating coastal waste awareness into local policy would also be critical for long-term change. Universiti Utara Malaysia maritime affairs expert Associate Professor Dr Zaki Ahmad said the beach's location near the Sungai Merbok mouth makes it a natural catchment for marine debris. "The rubbish in Pantai Tanjung Dawai can be attributed to its geography. It lies at a river mouth, while Pantai Merdeka is sheltered within an enclosed bay," he said. "Prevailing ocean currents and wind direction carry floating debris towards Pantai Tanjung Dawai. The shoreline's shape and tidal patterns further contribute to the accumulation." Zaki said Pantai Merdeka remains cleaner because it is less exposed to these direct currents. "There's also a possibility that the rubbish could have originated from other settlements or towns along the river, such as Sungai Petani or Alor Star." Yusrizal Yusoff, president of the Consumers Association of Kedah, expressed concern about the situation as it reflected a deeper issue with consumer behaviour. "Malaysian's attitude to waste disposal is very disappointing. Much of the waste, particularly plastic, ends up polluting the environment. "We cannot rely solely on the authorities or cleaners to handle this. It is everyone's responsibility to manage their waste."
