by DayakDaily Team
LAWAS, June 26: Sarawak is in the final stages of implementing Phase 2 of the Reef Ball Project, which involves the deployment of 300 artificial reef ball structures across six fish aggregating device (FAD) clusters along the State’s coastline.
According to a report by TVS, Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said the initiative, which began in 2018, has shown positive effects on the restoration of marine ecosystems, habitat protection and the increase in fish stocks in the areas involved.
“This initiative is not just a conservation project, but a symbol of the Sarawak Government’s commitment to ensuring that the State’s natural resources are protected and sustainably utilised for future generations as well as to strengthen the implementation of the blue economy in Sarawak.
“This is in line with the framework we are going through under the Post-Covid 19 Development Strategy (PCDS), 2030 and this is also a project to support the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) agenda, especially SDG 14,” he remarked.
Awang Tengah said while launching the Reef Ball Project Phase 2 in Kampung Awat-Awat Lawas today, on behalf of Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
He also noted that the ongoing initiative builds on Sarawak’s existing successful Tukun Reef Ball Corridor along the State’s coastline.
“In 2022, the Sarawak received recognition by US-based Reef Ball Development Group for successfully planting the longest Tukun Reef Ball in the world, which is 746 kilometres long,” he said.
Also present during the launch were Deputy Minister Food Industry, Commodities and Regional Development Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail, Lawas Member of Parliament Dato Henry Sum Agong, Batu Danau Assemblyman Dato Paulus Palu Gumbang, Political Secretary to the Premier Awangku Jinal Abedin Dato Pengiran Jawa, NRDA Director Datu Ubaidillah Latip and Sarawak Forestry Corporation General Manager Abang Arabi Abang Aimran. – DayakDaily
