Starwood’s luxury collection resort The Andaman in Langkawi, Malaysia partnered with Lafarge Malaysia Berhad to release 52 Artificial Reef Module Systems (ARMS) into the Datai Bay. The goal of the project is to regenerate the 8,000-year-old fringing coral reefs that are declining due to the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami.
The modules were created by The Andaman’s head of marine environment biologist Dr. Gerry Goeden in partnership with Kee Alfian, reef ecologist at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. They are designed to provide maximum hiding space for fish to sustain underwater eco-system and biodiversity. The modules will also allow younger fish living in shallow waters to move offshore and encourage reproduction in order to create a sustainable local fishing and eco-tourism industry.
“We have a wonderful opportunity to not only improve the environmental condition of Langkawi’s reefs and fisheries but to create educational, recreational, and research activities,” said Christian Metzner, general manager of The Andaman. “Artificial reefs have been used for a long time in other parts of the world and it is a great step forward in marine conservation in Southeast Asia. Together with Lafarge Malaysia, we hope to create a truly global solution for a global crisis.”