KOTA KINABALU: Fish stocks are on the rise in areas once bereft of them thanks to the use of artificial concrete reefs combined with self regulation from fishermen in waters off 10 Sabah districts. Nearly 500 cuboid shaped concrete reefs have been installed in popular fishing areas locally known as lawa lawa over the past three years with results seen after six months, said Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Yahya Hussin. Follow-up checks including video footage show fish and even lobsters around these artificial reefs, he said after witnessing the installation of another 18 concrete reefs off Pulau Sepanggar near here. The concrete reefs, each weighing seven tonnes have also been placed at various locations some five nautical miles off Kuala Penyu, Sandakan, Sipitang, Papar, Lahad Datu, Tuaran, Kota Belud, Beaufort and Pitas.
A life saver: Yahya (left) watching the artificial reef being anchored into the sea near Pulau Sepanggar in Kota Kinabalu Friday.Yahya said besides the use of artificial reefs, the state Fisheries Department had also established a tagal or self-enforcement system among local fishermen to enforce regulations such as a ban on the use of nets or traps near these reefs. “Only fishing with rods is allowed. These measures are aimed at ensuring that fishing activities are sustainable,” said Yahya, the state Agriculture and Food Industries Minister. Yahya said the concrete reefs also served to deter illegal fishing activities using gill nets. He said protecting the state fishery resources was a priority, noting that exports of fish and other marine creatures was about RM500mil a year.
-thestar online.
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