Artificial Reefs: Boon For Fisheries Sector

Since 30 years ago, the Malaysian fisheries authorities have conducted various research to find ways to boost the nation's fish supply.

Among these early initiatives was the artificial reefs project, the first of which was implemented in 1975.

WHAT IS A REEF?

A reef is basically a chain or range of rocks lying at or near the surface of the water, which act as a nursery for the fish fry, apart from beeing a breeding ground for various marine life.

Ever since a long time ago, fishermen have discovered that they could find an abundance of fish around shipwrecks and other underwater debris.

Since then, various materials have been used to create artificial reefs, ranging from the discarded tyres, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), wreckages of boats and concrete.

WHY CREATE ARTIFICIAL REEFS?

Realising the importance of reefs as ideal breeding grounds for marine life, Malaysia's fisheries authorities have embarked on a programme to boost the nation's fisheries sector by creating artificial reefs.

The first artificial reef was lowered into the waters off Pulau Telur near Yan, Kedah in 1975.

The artificial reef programme was later expanded to Pulau Ekor Tebu in the waters of Sarawak in June 1979 and later to Pulau Satang (December 1982) and Pulau Gaya, Sabah in October 1982.

Fisheries Department Director-General Datuk Junaidi Che Ayub, said that via the Ninth Malaysia Plan (9MP), the government has allocated some RM9.4 million for the development of artificial reefs as part of the efforts to boost the nation's marine resources.

CONCRETE REEFS

The allocation is to meet the government's objective to produce two million tonnes of fish a year.

This comprises the 500,000 tonnes contribution from the deep-sea sector, 600,000 tonnes from aquaculture and 900,000 tonnes from off shore activities.

Artificial reefs made of various materials have been used, the latest of which is concrete turned into various shape.

Most of these reefs are shaped either like tetrapods (three-legged) or cuboids (four-legged), depending on the ocean floors topography.

They make good breeding grounds and promulgate the growth of coral.

TOURISM ATTRACTIONS

Three months after the concrete structures were lowered to the sea bed, these artificial reefs would be suitable for activities like scuba diving, squid jigging and fishing.

"The fishermen earn additional income by conducting recreational fishing activities, like leasing out their boats and ferrying anglers," said Junaidi.

He also said studies conducted by the Fisheries Department revealed that the vicinity of the artificial reefs are rich in diversiy of fish species.

TRAWLER INTRUSIONS

Meanwhile, the Fisheries Department has allocated RM400,000 for the construction of concrete tetrapods to be used as artificial reefs for the waters off Kuantan and Pekan.

The move is to replace previous reefs which have been destroyed by the choppy seas and winds from the monsoon of the South China Sea as well as from illegal trawling activities.

Two years ago, the department had installed concrete reefs off the Cherating coast that turned out to be among the favourite fishing grounds for local fishermen while RM500,000 was spent on developing recreational reefs in the waters of Rompin.

Apart from playing the crucial role as fish breeding grounds, these artificial reefs also prevent the intrusions by trawler boats, including foreign-based vessels.

Junaidi said, "The department receives some 1,000 reports on trawler intrusions, nationwide".

There were also 30 reports on intrusions by foreign-based fishing trawlers in the first six months of this year, he said.

According to Junaidi, there were two reasons why the fisheries authorities had created the concrete reefs.

"First, the move is to boost the nation's fish resources, and secondly, to prevent intrusions by the trawler fishermen particularly during the monsoon season".

To this date, some 40 countries have subscribed to the development of the artificial reefs to enhance their marine resources apart from developing their off-shore recreational attractions.

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Artificial Reefs: Boon For Fisheries Sector