Conserving marine life through artificial reef balls initiative

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Jaul (front, centre) launches the project as other guests standing on top of the reef balls look on.

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 Sibuti-Bungai 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.

The concrete artificial reef balls being sunk into the ocean floor of Batu Belais and Seafan D coral reefs area, approximately half an hour away from Miri Marina Bay by speed boat, one at a time.

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) initiative.

“Petronas is ready to invest in this kind of conservation programme as it benefits not only fishermen but also locals by providing marine resources as source of income, food, tourism, education and so on,” he said.

Shamsur revealed that this is the fourth year the company has been cooperating with the state government for projects at the Miri-Sibuti Coral Reefs National Park and Petronas is very optimistic of its results.

Among those present at the launching ceremony were SFC deputy general manager Nizam Kaderi and SFC biologist cum project manager James Bali.