Latest news with #PEOM
The Star
22-04-2025
- General
- The Star
‘Condos' to boost fish population
Home sweet home: The artificial reefs that will be deployed in the waters near Pulau Kendi will provide long-term benefits for the local fishing community in Penang. — ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star GEORGE TOWN: The fish population around Penang island will soon be living in 'flat units and bungalows' as specially designed artificial reefs have been deployed in the sea to create a safe and thriving marine habitat. A total of 20 of these reef structures, resembling miniature unfinished condominiums, are being placed off Pulau Kendi as part of a biodiversity 'township', an initiative aimed at restoring marine life and ecosystems in the southern waters of Penang. Each reef weighs between nine and 21 tonnes, comprising two large units and 18 smaller ones. Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies (Cemacs) director Prof Datuk Dr Aileen Tan said that Universiti Sains Malaysia's research team would monitor and assess the artificial reef and unjam (fish aggregation device) areas to evaluate their effectiveness. 'This is a project we've been planning since 2023. 'The heavy concrete reefs are designed to remain anchored on the seabed, providing safe breeding grounds for fish – almost like a gated community,' she said. The larger reef structures, measuring 3m x 3m x 3.5m, have weighted bottoms to ensure stability on soft seabeds and sloped tops to prevent sediment building up while encouraging marine colonisation. 'They also include 'letterbox' crevices that serve as homes for fish and invertebrates,' she added. Smaller cuboid reefs are also designed with crevices to attract bottom-dwelling marine species, helping to populate the area with fish and prawns. (Click To Enlarge) Penang Infrastructure Corporation Sdn Bhd (PIC) chief executive officer Datuk Seri Farizan Darus said the deployment was a key initiative under the Penang South Island (PSI) Ecology Offset Masterplan (PEOM) – a collaboration between the state government through PIC, Silicon Island Development Sdn Bhd (SIDSB) and Cemacs. 'The artificial reefs will create new habitats for marine life, while the unjam structures are designed to attract and concentrate fish in designated areas,' he said during the launch at KBH Marine Logistics Centre in Macallum Street Ghaut here yesterday. He added that the initiative was part of the government's broader strategy to protect and restore the marine ecosystem, especially in areas surrounding the Silicon Island project. Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Dr Mohamad Abdul Hamid, who launched the project, said it was part of PEOM's comprehensive implementation. 'It also includes mangrove planting, fish and prawn restocking, research grant disbursement, and offshore enhancement efforts,' he said. The prawn restocking programme has already entered its third phase, with fish restocking expected to begin in May. 'To date, 23,200 mangrove trees have been planted, and a research grant has been awarded to Cemacs to study coral recruitment for reef rehabilitation around Pulau Kendi,' Mohamad added. The PSI reclamation project – previously known as Island A – is now called Silicon Island. It is being developed by SIDSB, which also oversees the design and management of Phase 1 reclamation works via turnkey contractor SRS TC Sdn Bhd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Gamuda Bhd.
Barnama
21-04-2025
- Business
- Barnama
Penang Moves To Protect Marine Ecosystem Amid Silicon Island Development
GENERAL GEORGE TOWN, April 21 (Bernama) -- Penang will deploy artificial reefs and fish aggregating devices (unjam) in the waters off Pulau Kendi to protect and conserve the marine ecosystem in the southern region of the state affected by the Silicon Island project. Penang Infrastructure Corporation (PIC) chief executive officer Datuk Seri Farizan Darus said the pilot project is part of the Silicon Island Ecological Offset Master Plan (PEOM), a collaboration between the state government via PIC, project developer Silicon Island Development Sdn Bhd and Universiti Sains Malaysia's Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies (CEMACS). He said the initiative is a long-term commitment to ensuring balanced development of Silicon Island and, as a proactive step, to create new habitats for marine life, benefiting the local fishing community. 'The design and location have been approved by the director-general of Fisheries Malaysia, with support from the Penang State Fisheries Department, Fisheries Research Institute in Batu Maung, Penang branch of the Malaysian Fisheries Development Authority, and the South Penang Island Fishermen's Association. 'The approval, which was granted on April 15, 2025, also outlines conditions, such as continuous monitoring to assess the effectiveness of the artificial reefs,' he said at the launch of the Artificial Reef and Unjam Deployment programme today by Penang Deputy Chief Minister I and Fishermen Taskforce Committee chairman Datuk Dr Mohamad Abdul Hamid. Farizan said two sets of artificial reefs will be deployed starting tomorrow, as part of the initial phase, with selected locations based on detailed studies conducted by CEMACS. Additionally, two unjams will be placed at the site of the 'Taiwan Ship' wreck to the west of Pulau Kendi, an area frequently used by fishermen from southern Penang and protected from trawler activity. 'To stabilise the structures, two small reefs will be used as anchors for each unjam, which will also help create new habitats on the seabed. 'As a safety and monitoring measure, the reef area will be marked with temporary buoys to alert marine users about the presence of underwater structures,' he said.
Malay Mail
21-04-2025
- Science
- Malay Mail
Eco project off Pulau Kendi aims to support Penang fishermen, restore coral
GEORGE TOWN, April 21 — Eighteen sets of artificial reefs and two fish aggregating devices (unjam) have been deployed near the waters off Pulau Kendi to attract marine life to the southern side of the main island. Penang Infrastructure Corporation (PIC) chief executive officer Datuk Seri Farizan Darus said the initiative is aimed at providing long-term benefits for the local fishing community. 'The deployment of artificial reefs aims to create new habitats for marine life, while the unjam structures are designed to attract and concentrate fish in designated areas,' he said after the deployment of the devices from Gat Lebuh Macallum here this morning. He said the programme is part of the state government's comprehensive efforts to protect and restore the marine ecosystem in the waters of the Penang South Islands (PSI), where the Silicon Island project is being developed. The programme is part of the PSI Ecology Offset Masterplan (PEOM). He said it is the result of a strategic collaboration between the state government through PIC, project developer Silicon Island Development Sdn Bhd (SIDSB), and research experts from Universiti Sains Malaysia's Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies (CEMACS). He added that programme was carefully planned by experts and supported by relevant agencies such as the Penang Fisheries Department, Fisheries Research Institute, and the Fisheries Development Authority of Malaysia. 'We believe this scientific and holistic approach will have a positive impact on the marine ecosystem here,' he said. Farizan said the state government has approved a research grant to CEMACS to conduct research on coral recruitment. 'This study will help us to plan a more scientifically effective way of rehabilitating the coral reefs,' he said. CEMACS director Prof Datuk Dr Aileen Tan said her research team would carry out initial monitoring and assessment of the artificial reef and unjam deployment areas to evaluate their effectiveness. 'Our team will continuously analyse data from this pilot project and present the findings to the state government, along with recommendations for improvements if needed,' she said. She said long-term monitoring and maintenance of the deployed structures, especially during the first five years, must be conducted. 'This is important to ensure that every step taken delivers maximum impact for the recovery and stability of the marine ecosystem,' she said. Penang Deputy Chief Minister and Fishermen Taskforce Committee chairman Datuk Mohamad Abdul Hamid, who officiated the initiative today, said PEOM's comprehensive plan includes mangrove planting, fish and prawn restocking, research grant disbursement, and eco-shoreline enhancement. He said the prawn restocking programme, scheduled for this Wednesday, is now in its third phase. 'Fish restocking is expected to begin in May,' he said. To date, a total of 23,200 mangrove trees have been planted.
New Straits Times
21-04-2025
- Science
- New Straits Times
Penang enhances marine ecosystem with artificial reefs, fish aggregating devices
GEORGE TOWN: Penang has deployed artificial reefs and fish aggregating devices in the waters near Pulau Kendi to provide long-term benefits for the local fishing community. The programme is part of the state government's comprehensive efforts to protect and restore the marine ecosystem in the southern waters of Penang, where the Silicon Island project is being developed. A key initiative under the PSI Ecology Offset Masterplan (PEOM, the project is the result of a strategic collaboration between the state government through Penang Infrastructure Corporation San Bhd (PIC), project developer Silicon Island Development Sdn Bhd (SIDSB), and research experts from Universiti Sains Malaysia's Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies (CEMACS). PIC chief executive officer Datuk Seri Farizan Darus said the deployment of artificial reefs is aimed at creating new habitats for marine life while the fish aggregating structures were designed to attract and concentrate fish in designated areas. "This programme is among the early measures of a broader conservation strategy under PEOM. "It has been carefully planned by experts and supported by relevant agencies such as the Penang Fisheries Department, the Fisheries Research Institute and the Fisheries Development Authority of Malaysia. "We believe this scientific and holistic approach will have a positive impact on the marine ecosystem here," he said. Present to officiate the initiative was Penang Deputy Chief Minister | and Fishermen Taskforce Committee chairman Datuk Dr Mohamad Abdul Hamid. Mohamad said the initiative was not merely symbolic but part of the PEOM's comprehensive implementation. "It also includes mangrove planting, fish and prawn restocking, research grant disbursement and eco-shoreline enhancement. "All these are implemented with the main objective of protecting the environment and securing the long-term interests of local fishermen," he explained According to Mohamad, the prawn restocking programme scheduled for this Wednesday has entered its third phase, while fish restocking is expected to begin in May. To date, a total of 23,200 mangrove trees have been planted. A research grant has also been awarded to CEMACS for a study on coral recruitment as part of the coral reef rehabilitation efforts around Pulau Kendi. CEMACS director Professor Datuk Dr Aileen Tan explained that her research team would carry out initial monitoring and assessment of the artificial reef and fish aggregating structure deployment areas to evaluate their effectiveness. The Penang South Island (PSI) reclamation project is a Penang state government-owned development. The reclamation of PSI's Silicon Island, previously known as Island A, is undertaken by SIDSB.
