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Awg Tengah: Sarawak's reef ball project shows promising results, gains global recognition
Abang Arabi (third left) presents a souvenir to Awang Tengah during the Sarawak Reef Ball Phase 2 project launch in Lawas today.
LAWAS (June 26): Sarawak's reef ball barrier project, which has been rolled out since 2018, has shown promising signs of restoring the marine ecosystem, protecting habitats, and increasing fish stocks in designated areas, said Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan.
He said the state is currently in the final stages of deploying 300 units of reef ball structures under the Phase 2 project, across six clusters designated as Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs).
'This initiative is not just a conservation project, but a symbol of the Sarawak government's commitment to ensuring that the state's natural resources are protected and sustainably utilised for future generations as well as to strengthen the implementation of the blue economy in Sarawak.
'This is in line with the framework we are implementing, led by the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030), and supports the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) agenda, especially SDG14,' he said at the launch of the Sarawak Reef Ball Phase 2 project in Kampung Awat-Awat here today, representing Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
Also present were State Deputy Minister of Food Industry, Commodities and Regional Development, Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail; Lawas MP Dato Henry Sum Agong; Batu Danau assemblyman Dato Paulus Palu Gumbang; Political Secretary to the Premier, Awangku Jinal Abedin Dato Pengiran Jawa; Northern Region Development Agency director Datu Ubaidillah Latip; and Sarawak Forestry Corporation general manager Abang Arabi Abang Aimran.
Awang Tengah, who is also State Minister of International Trade, Industry and Investment, said the project is part of the continued development of the Tukun Reef Ball corridor along the Sarawak coastline.
'In 2022, the Sarawak government was recognised by the Reef Ball Development Group based in the United States for successfully establishing the world's longest reef ball barrier, stretching 746 kilometres.
'I understand that it will provide new fishing grounds or sport fishing spots for the people of Lawas, especially from Sundar to Awat-Awat.
'In 2019, six fishing locations were created from Bukit Sari to Punang. This brings the total to 12 sport fishing spots in Lawas' coastal waters.
'It is part of the continued development of the Tukun Reef Ball corridor along the Sarawak coast,' he said. Awang Tengah Lawas reef balls
