MUKAH: Some 13,102 units of artificial reefs of various types worth RM6 million have been deployed in the seas in Mukah division since 2006 up till now.
Balingian assemblyman Abdul Yakub Arbi said the various types of the artificial reefs included the reef balls, cuboids, trawling fishing-stoppers, recreation and used tyres.
According to him, 300 units of reef balls were deployed in Penipah sea in 2006, 30 units cuboids in the sea off Mukah River mouth (Kuala Mukah) in 2009, five units of trawling fishing-stoppers in Kuala Mukah (2010), 25 units of trawling fishing-stoppers in Kuala Mukah (2014) and 32 units of trawling fishing-stoppers in sea waters adjacent to Oya area (2016).
He added in 2017, 35 units of recreation reefs were deployed in Belawai, while another 32 units of recreation, 25 units of trawling fishing-stoppers and 40 units of recreation reefs were deployed in Penipah sea in 2018 and 2021 respectively.
“Some 12,578 units of used tyre reefs are also deployed in sea waters next to Mukah,” he said when launching the deployment of artificial reefs programme at a cargo wharf here yesterday (Sept 8).
According to him, 25 units of trawling fishing-stopper reefs would be deployed in the sea of Kuala Mukah, and 40 units of recreation reef in Penipah sea.
He said the cost involved in the construction and deployment of the two types of artificial reefs project was RM887,845.
These artificial reefs give a lot of benefits including the creation of new habitats to fish and other marine life, thereby increasing the sources of coastal marine fisheries, added the former Dalat and Mukah District Council (MDDM) walikota.
