LETTER | The project will provide alternative jobs for fishermen and reduce overfishing.
The hype over the Penang South Reclamation project has so far been filled with distortion. I have lost count the number of articles I have read and videos I have watched that repeat the same one-sided, misleading presentation of PSR.In December 2018, the director-general of Fisheries Department, Munir Mohd Nawi revealed that Malaysia’s fish stock is in danger of being depleted because of overfishing.
Three types of artificial reefs were dropped into the sea - recreational, soft bed and concrete reefs. The concrete reefs weigh 12 tonnes each. And their purpose is not only to spur fish repopulation but also to prevent fishermen from destroying the seabed and marine biodiversity with their trawler nets.
NGOs and activists have been raising their concern over the destruction of marine life for years. Back in February 2013, the Fisheries Department had assured the NGOs that they are looking into the matter. The two fishermen engagement centres"Pusat Perkhidmatan Nelayan Setempat" set up by the Penang state government at Permatang Damar Laut and Gertak Sanggul have been registering local fishermen for alternative jobs. Only by providing fishermen with other sources of income can we reduce overfishing.
However, here lies the irony. The very same NGOs and activists who champion for marine life are protesting against the reclamation project, the very lifeline that will save the fishes and fix the seabed.
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