Objective:

  • Artificial reefs monitoring at seized foreign wooden fishing vessel covered with fiber glass reefs of Kuala Kemasin, Bachok, Kelantan and Pulau Kapas, Terengganu
  • Monitoring of artificial reefs deployed during “rig to reef” program at Pulau Kapas, Terengganu
  • Oceanography survey of a new artificial reefs deployment site at Pulau Besar, Melaka.
  • Oceanography survey at Kuala Pahang coastal sea

An Artificial Reefs (ARs) is defined as “any material or matter deliberately placed in an area of the marine environment where that structure does not exist under natural circumstances for the purpose of protecting, regenerating, concentrating or increasing populations of living marine resources, or for enhanced recreational use of the area” (Anonymous 2003).
As concluded by Claudet and Pelletier (2004), ARs can function as follows: (1) to increase fish biomass, by providing new shelter from fishing; (2) to increase fauna diversity, by providing new habitats; (3) to reduce detrimental impacts on existing habitats, through trawl exclusion, and to restore damaged habitats; (4) to improve cost-effective fishing practices, by reducing displacement costs for nearby coastal fleets; (5) to provide economic benefits, through diving activities; and (6) to improve knowledge on colonization processes. However, information on flora and fauna assemblages at both structure is still scanty due to limited research funding. Therefore, this research is very important to collect scientific data at both modules especially on its performance and contribution to increase coastal fisheries resources.
Evaluating the potential impacts of any project development requires an understanding of the current environmental conditions of the surrounding area. The environmental survey usually involved sampling and laboratory analysis of living organisms, as well as bottom sediments and insitu measurements of seawater characteristics. In line with this, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) was interested to conduct survey at ARs and coastal areas to record related oceanography information.

Ketua Projek :  Hamizah Nadia binti Alias @ Yusof (hamizah[at]seafdec.org.my )
Muhammad Amirullah Al Amin bin Ayob (amin_ayob@seafdec.org.my)