By Gabriel Lihan & Natasha Jee
KUCHING: Sarawak has finally completed phase one of the deployment of the artificial reefs.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg witnessed the deployment of the last of the 16,800 reef balls to mark the completion of the phase.
Phase one of the deployment is a cluster artificial reef balls stretching 1,000 kilometres along the coastal waters from Tanjung Datu to Lawas which started in 2018.
“A sum of RM70 million was allocated by the state government for the project. During the period from 2018 to 2022, the impact of the project is very positive because it has increased fisherman’s catch,” he said.
He was speaking to the press after witnessing the deployment of the artificial reef balls at the Kampung Telaga Air Jetty today (Sept 19).
Abang Johari also said the deployment of the artificial reef would increase the number of fish at sea and benefit fishermen as a source of income.
“The economy of the locals along the coastal area is also positively impacted because of the deployment of the artificial reef,” he said.
At the same time, he also said that the Sarawak government’s introduction of the Sarawak Coastal Guard is a great initiative to help protect its coastal waters and marine resources from external threats and encroachment.
Present at the event were Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan; Deputy Premier Datuk Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian; and State Secretary Datuk Seri Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki.
Also in attendance were Deputy Minister for Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment Datuk Len Talif Salleh; Deputy Minister of Utility Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi; State Security and Enforcement Unit (UKPS) Datuk Dr Chai Khin Chung; and Forest Department Sarawak (FDS) director Datuk Hamden Mohammad.
