By DayakDaily Team
LAWAS, Aug 13: A total of 64 recreational artificial reefs were deployed in the waters off Kampung Punang and Kampung Awat-Awat on Tuesday (Aug 12), aimed at conserving fishery resources and preventing trawler encroachment.
The launch, organised by the Sarawak Fisheries Department, was officiated by Lawas member of Parliament Dato Henry Sum Agong on behalf of Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan.
In a Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas) news report, Awang Tengah highlighted that artificial reefs not only support marine habitat conservation but also stimulate the local economy through fisheries and marine recreational tourism.
He further highlighted an allocation of RM7 million under the 12th Malaysia Plan (2021–2025) for brackish water aquaculture development in Sarawak through the SPeKS Programme, including RM283,000 benefiting 19 farmers in Lawas.
“The support primarily covers operational inputs, portable equipment, and farming systems, and is available to all eligible and potential aquaculture operators, from small-scale farmers to commercial enterprises, in both urban and rural areas,” he said in his speech read by Henry.
Additionally, 20 fishermen received navigation aids (GPS) under the Target Fisheries Human Capital Development programme, which is part of a RM2.3 million initiative to enhance safety at sea.
The event included the reef-launching ceremony, SPeKS aid handover, GPS distribution, and souvenir presentation, before participants headed out to sea to deploy the artificial reefs.
Also present were Sarawak Fisheries director Abdul Rahman Abdul Wahab, Lawas District officer Ladin Atok, along with local community leaders and department heads.— DayakDaily
