By Zaki Salleh
MANJUNG: Sultan of Perak, Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah, together with Permaisuri of Perak, Tuanku Zara Salim, attended the ‘Artificial Reef Deployment x Pulau Sembilan Conservation Program’ held at Pulau Sembilan State Park.
As part of the program, a total of 12 artificial reefs were deployed on the seabed around Pulau Rumbia in Pulau Sembilan by the Perak State Fisheries Department.
This effort aims to attract more marine life, restore marine ecosystems, and support fisheries and tourism activities such as recreational fishing and scuba diving.
The artificial reefs also serve as natural barriers to curb illegal trawling activities.
Over the past 10 years since 2014, the Perak State Fisheries Department has deployed 81 units of artificial reefs around Pulau Pangkor, the waters off Rungkup, and Pulau Sembilan.
In conjunction with the program, a ghost net cleanup activity was also held — one of the key conservation initiatives organized by the Perak State Parks Corporation.
The royal couple also visited booths showcasing ghost nets collected from the waters around Pulau Sembilan.
The event also included a symbolic planting of ambong-ambong trees (mangrove-like coastal plants) as part of conservation efforts to attract turtle landings.
It is hoped that through these various initiatives, Pulau Sembilan will continue to be preserved as a marine area rich in biodiversity — contributing to the sustainability of the marine ecosystem and the well-being of local communities.
