Conserving marine life through artificial reef balls
MIRI: The Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) in collaboration with Petronas is deploying 600 artificial reef balls at the Batu Belais and Seafan D coral reefs area in Miri-Sibuti Coral Reefs National Park here in their efforts to further intensify marine life conservation and protection.
Deputy State Secretary (Rural Transformation) Datu Jaul Samion launched the deployment of the reef balls, each weighing a tonne, into the ocean floor yesterday which will take about one week to complete.
Speaking to reporters after the launching ceremony at Batu Belais, Jaul said the artificial reef balls were the second batch deployed at the coral reefs under a five-year programme implemented by SFC and the national oil company. The project was first launched two years ago at Kuala Sibuti involving two selected sites in SibutiBungai waters, with some 550 units of the concrete balls sunk.
“After two years passed and now we begin to see the outcome, it has begun to be inhabited by marine life including corals sprouting there.
“For the long term, it will not only help us conserve the environment and breed marine resources in our waters but also help contribute to sustainable fish catches for fishermen living along this area, leading to the uplifting of their income level and living standard,” he said.
In terms of ecotourism, Jaul said it could be a tourism attraction through diving and fishing activities.
“This effort is a two-prong move for us because we not only conserve marine ecosystems in our waters but at the same time we can generate economic activities through ecotourism,” he added.
Hence, recognising its positive impact, the state government is expanding the programme to Bintulu waters by cooperating with MLNG and also in Belawai.
Petronas Sarawak regional office general manager Shamsur Taha said they will continue to work together with the state government and invest in conservation of natural resources in the state waters under their corporate social responsibility (CSR).