Sunken Ships, Rising Ecosystems: The Artificial Reef Project in the Waters of Perhentian Island and Susu Dara Island, Terengganu Malaysia
Azizi Ali1 , Muhammad Amirullah2, Mohd Fadzil Akhir1, Roslan Latif1, Azri Muhammad1, Adina Roslee1 and Wan Nur Khairunnisa1

1.Institute Oceanography and Environment, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, Terengganu Malaysia

2.Institute Sumber Marin Asia Tenggara , Department of Fisheries, Malaysia

Abstract

Artificial reefs from seized illegal foreign vessels is an innovative idea by repurposing abandoned or seized ships and use them to create new habitats for marine life. These reefs can be created by sinking the vessels in designated areas and allowing coral and other marine organisms to grow on and around them. This helps to improve the local marine ecosystem and provides a new diving and snorkelling destination for tourists. Additionally, seizing vessels can deter illegal fishing and smuggling operations, as the sunken ships can act as physical barriers. Therefore, creating artificial reefs from seized foreign vessels can provide a win-win solution for both the environment and the local economy. That is why Institute Oceanography and Environment (INOS) and the Southeast Asian Marine Resource Institute (ISMAT) are working on a mapping project of seized vessels in the waters of the Perhentian and Susu Dara Islands. The mapping was conducted using a multi-beam system from July 3rd to 7th, 2022.This project was aimed to determine the status of seized vessels anchored as artificial reefs from 2020 to 2021. The survey was successful conducted and it meets all the scope of work assigned. Results of this study showed that 20 units artificial reef sunken ships successfully detected and map and only one vessel unit was not successfully detected. The results of analysis and observation from the multibeam image clearly show that all the artificial reef sunken ships , which are 8 units at Pulau Perhentian, were successfully detected on the map. Meanwhile, at the Pulau Susu Dara, 12 artificial reef sunken ships units were successfully detected and map.

Keywords: Artificial reef, sunken ships, multibeam system

Topic: Marine and Fisheries Geographic Information System