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Sarawak deploys over 202,000 artificial reefs to safeguard marine life
Henry (second right) launches the concrete artificial reef project for Kampung Punang and Awat-Awat.
MIRI (Aug 14): The Sarawak Marine Department has deployed 202,049 artificial reef units over the past two decades to protect marine life and deter illegal trawling, said Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan.
He said the RM20 million programme under the 12th Malaysia Plan also enhances fishermen's safety by providing Global Positioning System (GPS) devices and Personal Locator Beacons (PLB), benefitting nearly 300 fishermen statewide.
In Lawas, 64 recreational artificial reef balls have been installed in local waters as part of the same conservation initiative.
Since 1991, Lawas has seen the deployment of five types of artificial reefs, including 11,018 units made from old tyres, 200 concrete reef balls, one sunken vessel, 57 soft-bottom concrete reefs, and 80 concrete reef structures serving as trawler barriers.
Across Sarawak, artificial reef deployment by the Marine Fisheries Department dates back to 1984.
'This year alone, the department has been allocated RM3.7 million for reef construction across Sarawak waters,' Awang Tengah said in a speech read by Lawas MP Datuk Henry Sum Agong during the launch of the Sarawak Marine Fisheries Department's Recreational Fishing Boats for Kampung Punang and Awat-Awat in Lawas on Tuesday.
Also present were Sarawak Marine Fisheries Department senior director Abdul Rahman Wahab, Lawas district officer Ladin Atok, and other guests.
Awang Tengah stressed the government's commitment to safeguarding fishermen's welfare, noting that RM460,000 has been channelled for safety equipment procurement, including GPS units and PLBs. artificial reefs Awang Tengah environment marine
