Revisited Artificial Reef Development in Malaysia

Abstract

Artifi cial reef is a way to help the breeding of marine life. The fi rst artificial reef material produce is tires in 1975. This paper will discuss about the development of material used in Malaysia for artifi cial reef containing aesthetic value. Artifi cial reef has been manufactured using variety of materials such as PVC, wood, metal, and concrete. Usually, concrete is the most popular material in producing artifi cial reefs. Ceramic materials are more suitable than concrete to produce artificial reef because there is some limitation in concrete materials. The form of conventional designs usually used is square shaped and triangle shaped. However, in this study, we would like to produce a new artifi cial reef design by Malaysian element concept using local clay. At the same time, artifi cial reef also will become a marine ecosystem and a breakwater for speed waves to prevent soil erosion. The chosen local clay it is to relate with the natural artifi cial such as artifi cial fossil and others.