LUNDU: The deployment of 32 recreational artificial reefs off Sampadi on Wednesday highlights Sarawak’s collaborative approach in protecting and sustaining its marine resources.
The initiative, led by the Sarawak Marine Fisheries Department (JPLS), is not only about placing structures underwater but also about harnessing research, innovation and cooperation across agencies to secure long-term fisheries sustainability.
JPLS senior director Abdul Rahman Abdul Wahab said the success of the programme is closely tied to the department’s partnerships with institutions such as Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas), the Fisheries Research Institute and other stakeholders.
“These collaborations have allowed us to develop more than 15 reef designs tailored to different marine conditions.
“They include coral propagation reefs, lobster reefs, as well as structures to deter illegal trawling and to withstand muddy seabeds,” he said this in his speech.
He said such innovations ensure that Sarawak’s artificial reef programme can adapt to diverse environments, making it more effective in restoring marine habitats and improving fish stocks.
Abdul Rahman noted that the programme has received strong federal backing, with RM20 million allocated under the 12th Malaysia Plan (RMK-12), including RM3.7 million for this year alone.
He said the funding not only supports construction but also enables further research and monitoring to ensure that artificial reefs achieve their intended ecological and economic impact.
“Reefs like those we are deploying at the moment are not just about conservation. They also support livelihoods by improving fish catches and creating opportunities for tourism, such as sport fishing and marine recreation,” he said.
Abdul Rahman stressed, however, that the long-term success of the programme will depend on shared responsibility.
He urged government agencies, local fishermen, non-governmental organisations and the wider community to play their part in safeguarding the reef sites.
“With close cooperation and a sense of collective responsibility, these reefs will continue to provide healthy marine habitats, strengthen fisheries resources and benefit communities for generations to come,” he said.
The Sampadi deployment follows an earlier placement of 28 units in 2023, bringing the total in the area to 60. In Sematan as a whole, more than 80,000 units have been installed across 16 sites since 1984.
Statewide, Sarawak has seen the deployment of 202,081 artificial reefs over the past four decades, marking one of the largest and most sustained marine enhancement efforts in the country.
