Mersing: The Johor Port Authority (LPJ) is committed to strengthening its role as a sustainable development partner for the community and the environment through the launch of its first artificial reef project.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, LPJ board chairman Dr. Rosnan Fathlal said the initiative is part of the agency's 50th-anniversary celebration and reflects its commitment to environmental sustainability and the preservation of marine resources. He noted that Mersing was chosen for this project due to its strategic location as a Sustainable Tourism District, which is renowned for its scenic islands and beaches that attract tourists and support small and medium enterprises (SMEs) based on marine resources.
Dr. Fathlal emphasized that the focus extends beyond port infrastructure development and operational efficiency to supporting the community through sustainable initiatives. He remarked that the artificial reef is more than just a steel and concrete structure on the seabed; it is intended to serve as a new home for marine life, aid in restoring ocean ecosystems, and boost fish populations that provide livelihoods for fishermen.
The reef, valued at RM50,000, is designed in a trapezium shape for engineering and safety reasons and will be placed at a depth of nine to ten metres. The deployment operation will involve eight LPJ divers, two contractor divers, and two photographers, with the reef measuring 5.2 metres long, 3.2 metres wide, and 3.3 metres high. It is set to be placed in the waters off Pulau Tinggi.
Dr. Fathlal expressed hope that this project will raise public awareness about protecting the sea, reducing pollution, and practising sustainable fishing. He highlighted that Mersing's primary economic activities are tourism and fisheries, and thus, the initiative is expected to benefit both the marine tourism sector and the local fishing community.
Established in 1975, LPJ is a federal statutory body responsible for administering, regulating, and developing ports under its authority, including Pasir Gudang Port and Port of Tanjung Pelepas.