Malaysia: Berjaya Corp lays concrete tubes to propagate coral reefs

FIRDAOUS FADZIL The Star 10 Aug 15;

PULAU TIOMAN: The Berjaya Corp­­o­­ration Group of Companies has embarked on a coral reef pro­pagation project to help sustain marine life.

Under a project called “Shelter in the Sea” costing about RM200,000, 67 concrete pipes of different sizes have been laid on the seabed between Berjaya Tioman Resort’s dive centre – the hotel and facility operated by the company – and Rengis Island in Pahang.

Berjaya Group chairman and founder Tan Sri Vincent Tan, himself an avid diver for some 30 years, said he had an affinity for the sea and felt obligated to preserve the island’s beauty.

“Pulau Tioman is one of the most beautiful spots in Malaysia and we are mindful of the importance of preserving the reefs around it.

“Diving is my only hobby. Not golf,” he told reporters at Berjaya Tioman Resort here on Friday after the laying of the pipes.

Explaining the choice of pipes, Tan said they were selected as a sturdy foundation was essential in building artificial reefs.

“Concrete pipes are stronger and last longer, given that the waters here can get very rough, especially during the monsoon season,” he said, adding that having concrete pipes would also be an attraction to scuba divers as they served as artificial caves.

Ranging between 1m and 2.1m in diameter, the concrete pipes will provide shelter for marine species once corals start to grow on them.

Laid at 8m to 11m deep in a 50m by 50m area on the seabed, the area will become a coral garden to sustain the marine ecosystem.

Tan said prior to that, a detailed survey was conducted by a team of divers and marine biologists under the supervision of the Department of Marine Park Pahang.

“We will also plant corals on, inside and around the pipes to help them grow faster,” he said.

With Tan were his son, Berjaya Group chief executive officer Datuk Seri Robin Tan, and 7-Eleven Malaysia Holdings Bhd executive director Tan U-Ming.