MUKAH: The Sarawak Government remains committed to supporting marine conservation efforts through the deployment of artificial reefs to protect marine habitats and ensure the long-term sustainability of the state’s fisheries resources.
Deputy Health Minister, Datuk Hanifah Hajar Taib, said the artificial reef programme had played a vital role in restoring marine ecosystems while creating breeding grounds for various marine species and improving fish stocks for local fishermen.
The Mukah Member of Parliament said the initiative had been implemented in Mukah waters since 1998, with a total allocation of RM6.758 million invested to rehabilitate marine habitats.
“The artificial reef programme is an important conservation measure that helps safeguard fisheries resources while supporting the livelihoods of fishing communities.
“It is important for fishermen to understand the value of these reefs, as they provide a sustainable marine habitat that secures future fish stocks, protects their source of income and ensures a continuous food supply for future generations,” she said in a news report by Sarawak Public Communication Unit (UKAS).
She was speaking when officiating at the deployment ceremony of trawl barrier artificial reefs in the waters off Penipah at Dataran Pasar Mukah today.
Also present were Balingian assemblyman, Abdul Yakub Arbi, and Fisheries Department’s Director-General, Datuk Adnan Hussain.
Hanifah also highlighted the importance of an efficient cold chain system in preserving the quality of seafood, saying proper handling would reduce wastage while ensuring consumers continued to receive safe and high-quality protein sources.
She added that greater efforts were needed to protect marine biodiversity in view of climate change and the increasing threats faced by valuable fish species, including red snapper.
She also called on the public, particularly fishing communities, to help keep rivers and seas clean and to report any illegal fishing activities to the relevant authorities.
