RM2.4 Million Allocated For Artificial Reef Deployment In Six States
Deputy director-general of Malaysian Fisheries (Development), Datuk Azahari Othman said the states involved are Kedah, Perak, Melaka, Pahang, Terengganu and Kelantan.
He said artificial reef initiatives are a key strategy in marine conservation with direct benefits to both the fishing community and the ecosystem, ultimately boosting national seafood production.
'According to a 2020 study by the Southeast Asian Marine Resources Institute (ISMAT), a single artificial reef structure supports an estimated fish biomass of 129 kilogrammes. The overall economic value of the 74 reefs deployed this year is estimated at RM6.2 million.
"Fishermen have reported encouraging results, with some experiencing up to a 90 per cent increase in catch due to the artificial reef programme," he said at the Artificial Reef Docking Programme held in Tok Bali waters here today.
Azahari said 12 artificial reef structures have been deployed in Kelantan this year alone. Each unit, made of reinforced concrete, weighs 15 tonnes and measures 2.6 metres high by 2.5 metres in width and length.
Since 2007, a total of 312 artificial reef units have been deployed in Kelantan waters, covering the districts of Tumpat, Kota Bharu, Bachok and Pasir Puteh, with a cumulative investment of RM6.26 million.
The types of reefs used include soft-base reefs, soft-base reefs with trawl net barriers, recreational reefs, and steel reefs. These are classified into two categories, conservation reefs and recreational reefs.
'Conservation reefs are designed to protect and support marine life within Marine Park areas, while recreational reefs support regulated fishing activities outside the parks,' he added
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Barnama
8 hours ago
- Barnama
Women Facing Marital Problems Urged To Use Proper Channels
KUALA LUMPUR, July 15 (Bernama) -- Women who are experiencing emotional distress or facing marital problems are advised to seek help and support through proper channels. Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said the ministry offered various platforms for assistance, including Talian Kasih 15999 helpline, which served as a space for individuals to express their feelings and be directed to appropriate support and intervention. 'We want them to reach out so they can receive advice and guidance on where to go for help. Sometimes they don't know the right channels and end up in the wrong places.
Barnama
8 hours ago
- Barnama
KPWKM Targets 1,500 Single Mothers For KasihnITa 2025 Programme
KUALA LUMPUR, July 15 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development (KPWKM) is targeting 1,500 single mothers to take part in the Kasih Ibu Tunggal (KasihnITa) 2025 programme, which is set to begin this August. Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said the initiative is designed to equip single mothers with knowledge in legal matters, financial management, and personal development. Introduced in 2023 and now rebranded as KasihnITa, the programme will be held across six main zones nationwide, from Perlis to Sabah. "This year, the Prime Minister approved an allocation of RM1.6 million for its implementation in all six zones. The programme is not limited to divorced women but also includes those abandoned by their husbands or with seriously ill or bedridden spouses. "Many of them struggle to claim alimony or don't know how to get legal assistance, often due to concerns about legal costs," she said after launching KasihnITa 2025 at a hotel here today. Running from August to December, the programme is held in collaboration with the Syariah Lawyers Association of Malaysia, the Credit Counselling and Debt Management Agency (AKPK), and psychological experts. Nancy said through KasihnITa, the ministry will implement proactive interventions to provide targeted assistance to single mothers in the process of claiming alimony from their ex-husbands. To ensure accessibility, she encouraged those in need to reach out directly to the ministry or visit its official website. 'It may not be easy for them to travel to specific states, so we've made online access available for information and support,' she added.
The Star
9 hours ago
- The Star
Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar to release 100 million fingerlings into rivers
Releasing fingerlings into the rivers has become an annual event in Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar. - The Global New Light of Myanmar via Bernama PHNOM PENH: About 100 million fingerlings will be released back into their rivers by three South-East Asian nations - Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar - to replenish dwindling fish stocks and revive the aquatic food chain. The initiative has become an annual event in these countries, where fish play a critical role as a source of revenue and food for local communities. Laos is set to release 65 million fingerlings into its natural waters this year, while Myanmar targets 35 million and Cambodia aims to release 1.5 million juvenile fish. Lao Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment, Chanthakone Boualaphan, said that Laos is home to around 500 species of fish, which not only contribute to ecological balance but also form an essential part of the nation's natural heritage. "Let's release fish and aquatic animals back into nature so they can thrive forever. Protecting fish and aquatic animals is the obligation of the entire nation," Chanthakone said during the National Fish and Aquatic Animals Release Day on July 13. In Myanmar, authorities have adopted a similar strategy to restore aquatic biodiversity in their rivers. Major rivers - the Ayeyarwady, Thanlwin, Chindwin and Sittaung - are earmarked to benefit from this river rejuvenation effort, which typically occurs during the monsoon season. On Saturday, Myanmar officials released 100,000 fingerlings - specifically golden carps, rohu and silver barbs - into the Yezin Dam in Nay Pyi Taw. In total, they have released 885,700 fingerlings into the dam on 11 instances since 2011. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet participated in the National Fish Day on July 1, during which 1.5 million fish, fingerlings and aquatic animals were released into Tonle Sap Lake in Phnom Penh. The fishing industry remains a crucial economic pillar in all three agrarian countries, with millions of fishermen relying on fishing for their livelihoods. Cambodia produced nearly 926,000 metric tonnes of fish through fisheries and aquaculture in 2024, including 470,000 metric tonnes of freshwater fish. Meanwhile, Myanmar generated RM1.8 billion (US$421 million) from the export of 400 metric tonnes of fish during the 2024-2025 fiscal year (April-March), according to its Department of Fisheries. Common fish species exported include catfish, hilsa, rohu and seabass. Last year, annual per capita fish consumption was 30 kg in Laos, 42 kg in Myanmar, and 52 kg in Cambodia. - Bernama
