KUCHING: Sarawak’s reef ball project has officially been recognized as the world’s longest artificial reef, announced Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC). The prestigious recognition was bestowed upon the project by the Reef Ball Foundation of the United States. To commemorate this achievement, a certificate and plaque were presented to the state Natural Resources and Urban Development Ministry on July 10th. Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, Deputy Natural Resources and Urban Development Minister Datuk Len Talif Salleh, and SFC Chief Executive Officer Zolkipli Mohamad Aton were among the witnesses of this significant event.
In a statement, SFC expressed their appreciation for the recognition, highlighting the Sarawak reef ball project as a testament to the state government’s commitment to sustainable practices and the protection of Sarawak’s marine biodiversity. The project received an allocation of RM70 million for its first phase, followed by an additional RM30 million for the second phase.
During the initial phase of the project, a total of 16,800 reef balls were deployed from 2018 to 2022 along a 746-kilometer stretch of Sarawak’s coastal waters. These reef balls serve multiple purposes, acting as a barrier to protect turtle migration routes from fish trawling activities, providing a surface for coral reef restoration, and enhancing feeding grounds for marine resources.
The second phase of the project, scheduled from 2023 to 2027, aims to further increase fishery resources, promote marine-based ecotourism activities like scuba diving, and develop a coral farming pilot project to create new economic opportunities.
SFC, as the implementing agency, is leading these initiatives to preserve marine life and manage Sarawak’s diverse marine ecosystems. They acknowledged the tremendous support from the state government and praised the Premier’s leadership, which has allowed them to successfully execute projects like the Sarawak reef ball project. This accomplishment has set a global benchmark, establishing it as the longest artificial reef in the world.
Credit: The Star : News Feed
