PENANG MOVES TO PROTECT MARINE ECOSYSTEM AMID SILICON ISLAND DEVELOPMENT

GEORGE TOWN, April 21 (Bernama) -- Penang will deploy artificial reefs and fish aggregating devices (unjam) in the waters off Pulau Kendi to protect and conserve the marine ecosystem in the southern region of the state affected by the Silicon Island project. 

Penang Infrastructure Corporation (PIC) chief executive officer Datuk Seri Farizan Darus said the pilot project is part of the Silicon Island Ecological Offset Master Plan (PEOM), a collaboration between the state government via PIC, project developer Silicon Island Development Sdn Bhd and Universiti Sains Malaysia’s Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies (CEMACS). 

He said the initiative is a long-term commitment to ensuring balanced development of Silicon Island and, as a proactive step, to create new habitats for marine life, benefiting the local fishing community.

“The design and location have been approved by the director-general of Fisheries Malaysia, with support from the Penang State Fisheries Department, Fisheries Research Institute in Batu Maung, Penang branch of the Malaysian Fisheries Development Authority, and the South Penang Island Fishermen’s Association.

“The approval, which was granted on April 15, 2025, also outlines conditions, such as continuous monitoring to assess the effectiveness of the artificial reefs,” he said at the launch of the Artificial Reef and Unjam Deployment programme today by Penang Deputy Chief Minister I and Fishermen Taskforce Committee chairman Datuk Dr Mohamad Abdul Hamid.

Farizan said two sets of artificial reefs will be deployed starting tomorrow, as part of the initial phase, with selected locations based on detailed studies conducted by CEMACS.

Additionally, two unjams will be placed at the site of the 'Taiwan Ship' wreck to the west of Pulau Kendi, an area frequently used by fishermen from southern Penang and protected from trawler activity.

“To stabilise the structures, two small reefs will be used as anchors for each unjam, which will also help create new habitats on the seabed.

“As a safety and monitoring measure, the reef area will be marked with temporary buoys to alert marine users about the presence of underwater structures,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mohamad said the PEOM is not a short-term or symbolic initiative, but a carefully planned integrated effort to ensure the Silicon Island development proceeds sustainably without compromising the marine ecosystem or the well-being of local fishing communities.

Farizan said other initiatives under the PEOM include mangrove planting, fish and prawn restocking, research grants and coastal ecological enhancement.

CEMACS director Prof Datuk Dr Aileen Tan said the centre’s research team will monitor the reef and unjam site for six months to evaluate its effectiveness.

She added that the team will analyse the data and present its findings to the state government, along with any recommendations for improvement if necessary.

“CEMACS also encourages long-term monitoring and maintenance of the structures, especially during the first five years. This is crucial to ensure that all efforts have a meaningful impact on the recovery and stability of the marine ecosystem,” she said.

Earlier at the event, 32 children of fishermen who were accepted into higher education institutions received entrance and academic excellence awards under the Social Impact Management Plan (SIMP).

Five fishermen who passed the skipper certification exam under the state-funded SIMP programme received their certificates, bringing the total number of certified skippers under the scheme to 25.

-- BERNAMA