Written by: Azizi Ali

Artificial reefs from seized 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 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.

Dr. Azizi Ali leads this project from the Ocean Mapping and Geospatial Research Group, INOS and Mr. Muhammad Amirullah from ISMAT. The mapping were 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. INOS was responsible for carrying out the mapping.
This is an important project to ensure that the waters of the Perhentian and Susu Dara Islands remain healthy and preserved for future generations. We hope that the results of this project will provide the insight needed to take the necessary actions to protect our marine environment.