Latest news with #AzahariOthman
The Star
08-07-2025
- General
- The Star
More relief for coral reefs
Protecting the ocean: Fisheries Department director-general Datuk Adnan Hussain (second from left) looking on as workers lower an artificial reef during a reef sinking programme in Kelantan. PETALING JAYA: With coral reef health on the decline, the Fisheries Department is stepping up efforts to preserve Malaysia's sanctuaries of aquatic life by deploying new artificial reefs in Kelantan waters. The department revealed that it had deployed 12 soft-bottom trawl-blocking artificial reefs in the waters off Pasir Puteh and Bachok yesterday to act as physical protective barriers for ocean life against trawling. Built from reinforced concrete, these artificial reefs prevent trawlers from dragging their nets across the seafloor, which would damage coral and other aquatic ecosystems while worsening water quality by disturbing seabed sediment. 'Each artificial reef structure weighs 15 tonnes and measures 2.6m in height and 2.5m in both width and length. 'They are built in full compliance with the United Nations Environment Programme's guidelines for the placement of artificial reefs,' said Fisheries Department deputy director-general (development) Datuk Azahari Othman in a statement. The new artificial reefs join the now over 300 artificial reefs that have been placed off various points of Kelantan waters since 2007, which hosts some of the biggest and most popular coral reefs in the country, such as those around Redang and Perhentian islands. Azahari said its artificial reef programme would remain a core marine conservation strategy going forward. 'This not only boosts local fishery yields but also safeguards habitats from illegal fishing and climate-change impacts. 'This is a long-term strategic investment to secure the nation's food security that in turn supports agro-tourism, enables scientific research and acts as a catalyst for coastal-community economic growth. 'The department remains committed to continuing this systematic conservation effort in phases to ensure the sustainability of the nation's essential marine resources,' he said. The department also said that RM1.68mil has been allocated for Kelantan's artificial reef programme so far this year, with other artificial reef deployments planned for Tok Bali and Sungai Gali. This comes after it was found that live coral cover (LCC) in Malaysia had continued to decline in a survey by non-governmental organisation Reef Check Malaysia in January this year. It found that LCC in Malaysia's coral reef sites had decreased from 50% in 2022 to 45.9% in 2023 and 44.7% last year following a survey of 315 coral sites nationwide.
Barnama
06-07-2025
- General
- Barnama
RM2.4 Million Allocated For Artificial Reef Deployment In Six States
PASIR PUTEH, July 6 (Bernama) – The Malaysian Fisheries Department has allocated RM2.4 million this year for the deployment of 74 artificial reefs across six states as part of its ongoing marine conservation efforts. 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
The Sun
06-07-2025
- General
- The Sun
RM2.4m artificial reefs boost marine life in six Malaysian states
PASIR PUTEH: The Malaysian Fisheries Department has set aside RM2.4 million this year to deploy 74 artificial reefs across six states as part of its marine conservation strategy. The initiative aims to enhance fish populations and support local fishing communities while strengthening the marine ecosystem. Datuk Azahari Othman, Deputy Director-General of Malaysian Fisheries (Development), confirmed the states involved are Kedah, Perak, Melaka, Pahang, Terengganu, and Kelantan. He highlighted the dual benefits of artificial reefs, stating they not only conserve marine biodiversity but also increase seafood production. A 2020 study by the Southeast Asian Marine Resources Institute (ISMAT) found that each artificial reef structure supports approximately 129 kilogrammes of fish biomass. With 74 reefs deployed this year, the total economic impact is estimated at RM6.2 million. Fishermen have reported significant improvements, with some experiencing up to a 90 per cent increase in catch volumes. 'The artificial reef programme has shown encouraging results for both marine life and fishing communities,' Azahari said during the Artificial Reef Docking Programme in Tok Bali waters. In Kelantan alone, 12 artificial reef units have been installed this year. Each structure, made of reinforced concrete, weighs 15 tonnes and measures 2.6 metres in height and 2.5 metres in width and length. Since 2007, Kelantan has received 312 reef units across Tumpat, Kota Bharu, Bachok, and Pasir Puteh, with a total investment of RM6.26 million. The reefs are categorised into conservation and recreational types. Conservation reefs protect marine life within Marine Park areas, while recreational reefs facilitate regulated fishing outside these zones. Different designs include soft-base reefs, trawl net barriers, and steel reefs, each serving specific ecological and economic purposes. - Bernama
Barnama
20-05-2025
- Business
- Barnama
Mohamad To Table Memorandum On Fisheries (Amendment) Bill At Cabinet Meeting Tomorrow
KUALA LUMPUR, May 20 (Bernama) -- The memorandum on the Fisheries (Amendment) Bill 2025 will be tabled at tomorrow's Cabinet meeting, marking a key step towards strengthening legislation to protect the nation's marine resources and safeguard the welfare of fishermen. Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said he was briefed today on the memorandum by the Department of Fisheries, led by its deputy director-general (Development), Datuk Azahari Othman. He said the briefing was vital to ensure the ministry fully understands every detail of the proposed amendments, aimed at ensuring the sustainability of the country's fisheries industry.
The Sun
20-05-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
Mohamad to table memorandum on Fisheries (Amendment) Bill at Cabinet meeting tomorrow
KUALA LUMPUR: The memorandum on the Fisheries (Amendment) Bill 2025 will be tabled at tomorrow's Cabinet meeting, marking a key step towards strengthening legislation to protect the nation's marine resources and safeguard the welfare of fishermen. Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said he was briefed today on the memorandum by the Department of Fisheries, led by its deputy director-general (Development), Datuk Azahari Othman. He said the briefing was vital to ensure the ministry fully understands every detail of the proposed amendments, aimed at ensuring the sustainability of the country's fisheries industry. 'We want to ensure that the legislation introduced not only protects the country's marine resources but also looks after the welfare of fishermen and stakeholders in the sector. 'God willing, I will present this memorandum at the Cabinet meeting scheduled for May 21,' he said in a Facebook post.
