By Voon Yih Boon
SEMATAN: The ceremony to deploy 1,100 artificial reef balls along the Sampadi-Tanjung Datu shoreline here was officiated by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg on Monday (Oct 26).
Not only protecting the turtles, this project also aimed to build the longest artificial reef in the world, which could be a potential eco-tourism spot.
The reefs would be used to prevent entry of trawlers into the area. Another purpose is to allow marine life to have a place to breed.
New Sarawak Tribune talked to some attendees of Monday’s event and many praised the project.
Sarip Eddi
With the reef balls at these locations, there has been an increase in fishes. It has also been reported that for those fishermen who fish within the area, the result has been better than before.
Iskandar Arip
With these reef balls, there will definitely be chances for more prawns and crabs to breed and reproduce in numbers. The local fishermen are thankful and delighted whenever the government put this kind of effort into improving their lives.
Razip Bujang
It is very good, especially when these reef balls are planted somewhere nearer to the shore, it’s very convenient and we don’t have to go very far now, sometimes it can be dangerous fishing too far in the sea, especially when the weather is bad.
Hazizan Hakim
It is good, as with these reef balls it will encourage the growth of corals and fishes will be attracted to them and eventually become their breeding ground and place to live in. Lots of the corals have been destroyed due to big fishing trawlers. Therefore, with these reef balls, conservation of marine life can be done.
