Malaysia Reef Ball Artificial Reef
Project
With permission, from "Sarawak Tribune", Front Page,
Thursday, June 18, 1998
Sarawak scores Asian First in
marine life conservation
By Fraser Barui
KUCHING - Sarawak has become the first in Asia to use environmentfriendly
American-manufactured "Reef Balls" to conserve its marine life -
turtles in particular. Yesterday, the Sarawak Reef Ball Working Group
Project 1 (Talang-Talang Region) was launched amid high hopes that
marine life conservation in the State would be greatly enhanced by the
US technology. Environment and Public Health Minister Datuk Amar
James Wong was proud to note that the various government agencies
had been able to coordinate a planned attack on the threats to marine
life.
"We now have the opportunity to start a model for the rest of Asia in
planned and responsible marine conservation," he said at the launching
ceremony. "The Reef Ball project and the formation of the Sarawak Reef
Ball Working Group are carried out to oversee all proposed reef projects
in the State and ensure a coordinated approach to marine life
conservation."
The Group consists of representatives from the Environment and Public
Health Ministry, Tourism Ministry, Social Development Ministry, the
Turtle Board, the Marine Fisheries Department, the Sarawak Museum,
the Sarawak Tourism Board, the Marine Department, the Natural
Resource and Environment Board and the Forestry Department working
in collaboration with the Reef Ball Development Group Limited, Florida,
USA.
For Project One, 1,500 reef balls of different sizes will be placed in the
Talang Talang region this year. Other selected areas, including Similajau....
