By DayakDaily Team
BINTULU, July 30: A total of 80 artificial reef balls have been deployed in the waters of Kuala Nyalau-Samalaju as part of efforts to restore marine ecosystems, enhance fish breeding habitats and curb encroachment by trawlers that threaten traditional fishing grounds.
The initiative, which strengthens collaboration between the government and corporate sector in conserving marine biodiversity, is expected to benefit local fishing communities that rely on marine resources as a source of livelihood.
In Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas) news, Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Port Development, Datuk Majang Renggi, said the deployment of artificial reef balls would support the recovery of marine ecosystems by providing habitats for fish and other marine life, including coral growth.
“Through this programme, fish populations are expected to increase as the reef balls create suitable breeding grounds for marine species.
“This will also bring direct benefits to fishermen, particularly residents of Kampung Nyalau, where more than 50 per cent of the community depend on fishing activities as a source of income,” he said after the Artificial Reef Ball Deployment Programme in the Kuala Nyalau-Samalaju waters today.
Meanwhile, Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) general manager Abang Arabi Abang Aimran said reef ball deployment projects in Sarawak are being carried out through partnerships involving the government, corporate sector, government-linked companies (GLCs) and non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
He said such collaborations would enable more marine habitat conservation initiatives to be implemented sustainably across the state.
The corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative was a joint effort between Pembinaan Tukun Bebola (Sarawak) Sdn Bhd (PTBSB), SFC and Bintulu Port Holdings Berhad (BPHB).
The 80 reef balls deployed comprised 26 Ultra Balls, 46 Bay Balls and eight Layer Cake Reef Balls.
Since 2022, PTBSB has contributed 467 artificial reef balls at various locations across Sarawak. The initiative is part of a long-term target to deploy 5,000 reef balls throughout the state to support marine conservation efforts.
Also present at the programme was BPHB Group president and chief executive officer Dato Ruslan Abdul Ghani. — DayakDaily
