DOF Deploys 252 Artificial Reefs To Protect Selangor Waters And Fishermen's Livelihoods

KUALA SELANGOR, Sept 23 (Bernama) -- Since 2006, the Department of Fisheries (DOF) has deployed 252 artificial reefs across Selangor waters to conserve the state's fishery resources and marine ecosystem.

DOF director-general Datuk Adnan Hussain said the reefs comprise soft-bottom types, soft-bottom trawl-blocking reefs and hybrid unjam, placed in waters around Kuala Langat, Sepang, Kuala Selangor and Sabak Bernam.

"DOF previously deployed 234 reef units in Selangor, with 109 in Kuala Langat and Sepang, 97 in Kuala Selangor and 46 in Sabak Bernam.

"That total has now risen with the addition of 18 more soft-bottom trawl-blocking reefs in Gulang-Gulang waters, Kuala Selangor," he said after officiating the deployment of the new reefs at the Malaysian Fisheries Development Authority jetty in Kuala Selangor here today.

Also present were state Fisheries director Noraisyah Abu Bakar, state Fire and Rescue Department director Datuk Wan Md Razali Wan Ismail, and state Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) director Maritime Capt Abdul Muhaimin Muhammad Salleh.

Adnan said the development of artificial reefs is part of the government's ongoing efforts to conserve the country's fishery resources and support the livelihoods of fishing communities.

"Besides providing shelter and breeding grounds for marine life, they help protect the waters from illegal trawling activities.

"Continuous conservation efforts are important to ensure fishery productivity and income sources of fishing communities remain protected," he said.

He said the programme to deploy 18 reefs, funded through a Federal government allocation, would benefit 1,111 registered fishermen in Kuala Selangor, including 332 Zone A fishermen.

"Kuala Selangor recorded 20,394.06 metric tonnes of fish landings last year, while the period from January to July this year reached 12,141.83 metric tonnes. These figures show that fishing remains a key contributor to the district's economy," he said.

Adnan said Selangor recorded total fish landings of 150,253.51 metric tonnes last year, and 64,245.39 metric tonnes for the period from January to July this year.

"DOF will continue to strengthen cooperation with relevant agencies and fishing communities to ensure artificial reefs function optimally," he said.

-- BERNAMA