Sarawak now known for preserving marine biodiversity due to reef ball project

SIBU (Aug 4): Sarawak is now known as a dynamic state that promotes a holistic approach in the management and preservation of marine biological diversity through the Sarawak Reef Ball Project.

According to Kabong assemblyman Mohd Chee Kadir, the reef ball-planting project is meant to increase fisheries resources and passive enforcement devices.

He said the government is trying to ensure at least 10 per cent of the coastal and marine areas in Sarawak are protected in responses to recommendations in the National Policy on Biological Diversity (2022-2030).

“Each reef ball can increase fishery resources by around 100 to 400kg per year, or an average of 250kg per unit.

“With a surface area of 14 square meters per reef ball unit, Sarawak has created approximately 329,000 rough surfaces in the state waters,” he added.

Mohd Chee was speaking at the inaugural Stakeholder Engagement Session Programme under the Sarawak People’s Reef Ball Project Phase II held in Kabong yesterday.

The event gathered about 150 people from the local communities.

Also in attendance included Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) deputy general manager Dr Melvin Terry Gumal, SFC Biodiversity and Conservation Division head James Bali, and Kalaka assemblyman Mohamad Duri.

Mohd Chee said the surface and space on the reef ball provides a place for coral larvae, micro and macroalgae, sea urchins, sponges, giant clams, oysters, fish, crabs, crayfish and other microorganisms to settle and colonise the areas.

“This effort is a big investment, and in the long term, will bring continuous benefits especially to the socioeconomic of the people and the environment, as well as further contribute to the transformation of the blue economy in Sarawak.”

On July 10, 2023, the Sarawak government was awarded international recognition by the Reef Ball Foundation of USA for the state’s extraordinary achievement in creating the world’s longest artificial reef ball barrier stretching 746km along Sarawak’s coastal waters from Tanjung Datu to Lawas.

The Sarawak government plans to gazette the 380,000-hectare area known as the Sarawak Marine Corridor National Park, as well as 424,000 hectares of the proposed Bako-Buntal National Park, Kuala Lawas National Park and Extension Talang-Satang National Park as fully-protected areas.