Article: Nurturing reefs

Tuesday September 1, 2009

AS an MS ISO 14001:1997 Environmental Management System-certified organisation, Panasonic Malaysia is committed to ensuring that its business activities have minimal adverse impact on the environment and comply with all relevant environmental legislation in line with its global parent company Matsushita's dedication to sustain a harmonious co-existence with the environment.

Panasonic's Environmental Vision, Green Plan 2010, created in October 2001, incorporates environmental technology into the development of products, making the company environmentally friendly. Panasonic returns for the fifth consecutive year to Pulau Perhentian, Terengganu, to plant more artificial reefs in the island's waters, besides other activities.

On a mission: Participants at the new artificial reef in Pulau Perhentian, Terengganu.

Panasonic Malaysia recognises the importance of preserving the natural environment for future generations and has teamed up with Marine Park Malaysia under the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry to conserve Malaysia's rich coral reef eco-system. Together, they have constructed and deployed artificial reefs as their way of reversing damage caused by pollution, careless tourism and destructive fishing practices.

Panasonic Malaysia reinforces corporate social responsibility activities based on education, environment and products to ensure long-lasting success, positioning the company as the neighbour, employer, product and brand of choice. Its management philosophy is "contributing to society through our business activities".

Its objectives are to encourage and stimulate the diverse marine life and corals to form and regenerate; assist in rebuilding the ocean's complex ecological system; expose and educate the public on the effects of coral depletion and its negative impact on the oceans; keep track of and examine previously planted artificial reefs; carry out ocean cleaning and other environmental activities and to consistently ensure Panasonic plays its part in taking on the responsibility of caring for the environment and the community.

The artificial reef structures are constructed with PVC pipes, which so far have no proven negative impact on the environment. Corals are also observed to grow fairly quick on PVC material.

In some instances, once the corals have reached a certain size, the artificial reefs have collapsed but the corals have continued to grow along in its natural manner blending with the entire architecture underwater. The artificial reefs are designed in a high structure initially to ease the process of having coral larvae attach to them. Corals broadcast spawns that drift off with the tide to form a new colony elsewhere.

Coral reefs play a vital role in a diverse marine ecosystem and are highly sensitive to the environment. Many factors can cause the destruction of corals, including changes in water temperature, salinity, water pH and pollution. Scientists foresee the depletion of over 50% of coral reefs in worldwide by 2030.

The artificial reefs planted in 2005 were initially at Teluk Pauh in Pulau Perhentian and were later moved to Teluk KK in the same year. The coral colony in the 30 artificial reefs appeared to have grown to sizes ranging from 6cm to 10cm in diameter. The 40 artificial reefs at Marine Park House Reef planted in 2006 also showed very encouraging signs, with corals growing from 6cm to 12cm.

There was also significant growth in the 25 artificial reefs designed in a modular shape planted in 2007 near Marine Park Jetty, while the two pyramid-shaped structures planted last year near Marine Park Centre have become a fish sanctuary.

There appeared to be multitudes of marine life inhabiting all the artificial reefs deployed, indicating that the marine ecology in the area has been gradually restoring itself.

This year, Panasonic commissioned a team of marine biologists from Universiti Malaya (Seabuds) to study, evaluate and provide baseline information on the development of coral growth on the artificial reefs and the surrounding conditions.

An additional pyramid-shaped structure was planted along the two artificial reefs established last year to increase the number of fish houses.

> For more details and information, log on to www.panasonic.com.my.

This article was taken from: The Star Online: Lifestyle: Focus 1 September 2009