MERSING: CHOPPY waters and less than ideal underwater visibility did not deter 20 scuba divers from completing an underwater cleanup at artificial reefs at Mensirip Island off the coast of Mersing.
Protected under Marine Park status, the artificial reefs of Mensirip island consists of a large scale replica of the Johor Coat of Arms, the country’s first ever underwater Royal post box, the Tunku Laksamana Coral Gardens and the country’s biggest artificial reef structure - the Sultan Ibrahim Building.
Measuring 5.5m in height, 10.6m in length and 9.3m in width, and modelled after the Sultan Ibrahim Building with the Iskandar Puteri City Council logo on top of it, the artificial reef structure was recognized as the country’s biggest by the Malaysia Book of Records on the first of January 2017.
The reefs now provide shelter to various marine life in the waters of Mensirip island.
“From what I could see the artificial reefs of Mensirip island are now an important habitat for many marine life. It was a privilege to be a part of this cleanup,” said Ahmad Fahmi Murad one of the divers representing Johor diving association Co-op Diver.
Led by Iskandar Puteri City Council, Dato’ Adib Azhari Daud, the team was made of divers and volunteers from Iskandar Puteri City Council, Mersing District Council with support from Sultan Iskandar Marine Park, Johor Department of Environment and the association.
The underwater cleanup was organized to check up on the condition of the artificial reefs as well as search for any marine debris and also discarded fishing nets that might be entangled.