Belayong (seated centre) during a photo call for the event. He is flanked by Buniamin (left) and Fairol.
MIRI: The Marine Fisheries Department has been allocated with RM3 million to build artificial reefs in the state this year.
Department director Belayong Nyuak said this is to help improve the living standards of fishermen statewide.
“This effort also enables the increase in population and diversity of fish species with high commercial value. This directly generates lucrative income for fishermen in terms of the number of catches as well as promoting recreational fishing industry that also helps in increasing their income,” he said during ‘The Positive Impact of Artificial Reefs in Sarawak’ event on Friday.
Belayong said following a recent study, the department will construct artificial reefs at Tanjung Manis and Kabong named Dana and N30, which will be conducted in collaboration with Petronas.
He revealed that a socioeconomic study on coastal fishermen found their incomes had increased by 15 to 25 per cent since the artificial reef project was carried out.
Belayong said the department has also collaborated with the Fisheries Research Institute in the state on the propagation of cuboid reefs in Sematan.
“This research will focus on improving the structure of coral reefs to be used as habitat for marine life and is expected to boost the eco-tourism industry such as scuba diving and recreational fishing activities,” he said.
In the long run, he said the department would also carry out scientific research in collaboration with experts from the South East Asia Fisheries Development Centre (Seafdec).
“This study includes a review of the diversity of fish species, the density of fish populations and to study the effectiveness factor of artificial reefs that had been anchored before,” he said.
Construction of artificial reefs in Sarawak began in 1984 with reef tyres, followed by seized reef vessels, a used oil rig (Baram 8), and various designs of concrete-based artificial reefs.
From 2001 to last year, a total of 3,563 units of various types of concrete reefs were lowered in 25 different locations around Sarawak waters, including three locations here, at a cost of RM16.2 million.
Belayong added that through funds provided by the federal government, the department would continue to develop artificial reef projects until 2020 to ensure the sustainability of fisheries resources in the state.
Among those present at the event were Regional Fisheries III Miri chairman Buniamin Kiprawi and state Fisheries Department conservation unit head Fairol Tajuddin Suhaili.