RM2.4 Million Allocated For Artificial Reef Deployment In Six States

PASIR PUTEH, July 6 (Bernama) – The Malaysian Fisheries Department has allocated RM2.4 million this year for the deployment of 74 artificial reefs across six states as part of its ongoing marine conservation efforts.

Deputy director-general of Malaysian Fisheries (Development), Datuk Azahari Othman said the states involved are Kedah, Perak, Melaka, Pahang, Terengganu and Kelantan.

He said artificial reef initiatives are a key strategy in marine conservation with direct benefits to both the fishing community and the ecosystem, ultimately boosting national seafood production.

“According to a 2020 study by the Southeast Asian Marine Resources Institute (ISMAT), a single artificial reef structure supports an estimated fish biomass of 129 kilogrammes. The overall economic value of the 74 reefs deployed this year is estimated at RM6.2 million.

"Fishermen have reported encouraging results, with some experiencing up to a 90 per cent increase in catch due to the artificial reef programme," he said at the Artificial Reef Docking Programme held in Tok Bali waters here today.

Azahari said 12 artificial reef structures have been deployed in Kelantan this year alone. Each unit, made of reinforced concrete, weighs 15 tonnes and measures 2.6 metres high by 2.5 metres in width and length.

Since 2007, a total of 312 artificial reef units have been deployed in Kelantan waters, covering the districts of Tumpat, Kota Bharu, Bachok and Pasir Puteh, with a cumulative investment of RM6.26 million.

The types of reefs used include soft-base reefs, soft-base reefs with trawl net barriers, recreational reefs, and steel reefs. These are classified into two categories, conservation reefs and recreational reefs.

“Conservation reefs are designed to protect and support marine life within Marine Park areas, while recreational reefs support regulated fishing activities outside the parks,” he added

-- BERNAMA