Malaysia: Environment-friendly Artificial Reefs For Sandakan Waters

Bernama 20 Mar 11;

SANDAKAN, March 20 (Bernama) -- The Sandakan waters at Batu Sapi, near Pulau Shanghai, will be the second location in the country to be installed with environment-friendly artificial reefs produced by Sirim.

Eight artificial reefs made from ceramic that does not pollute the water, will be implanted in the area.

The implanting ceremony was officiated by Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili here Sunday, and the project will benefit about 400 fishermen in the area.

Ongkili said the environment-friendly reefs were the result of research conducted by Sirim using ceramic which was suitable for making artificial corals as the substance would not react to its surrounding environment.

"Seaweed and other marine plants which provide food for the fishes and other marine life are expected to grow on the artificial reefs in six months to two years' time." Ongkili said Sabah became the first and second location for this type of artificial reef, with the first implanting done at Pulau Sebatik, off the eastern coast, in January by the community in Sulabayan, Semporna.

He said the project was under the ministry's technology application for the community programme or TopMosti@Komuniti to assist grassroot communities improve their livelihood.

He added that 200 technologies had been shortlisted for implementation according to the local communities' needs and these included solar energy generation, computerisation, fishing technology, new crop cultivation and fertilising technique.

-- BERNAMA