In a statement, AnakPinang said reef balls are a patented technology developed from pH-neutral concrete that neither degrades nor leaches chemicals into the sea.
Adding that they are harmless to the environment, it said each reef ball can last more than 500 years.
“The concrete is designed with holes that encourage marine life to settle in,” it said.
“Reef balls naturally attract fish and other sea creatures such as prawns and turtles, and minimises coastal erosion.”
According to AnakPinang, the growth of marine biodiversity around the reef balls will also act as a natural filter that cleans up the water and seabed as sea scavengers there multiply.
This, it said, would turn the area into a popular fishing ground, benefiting the local fishermen as well as opening up new economic opportunities.
Citing the successful use of reef balls in programmes in the Atlantic, Australia and even Sarawak, it said reef balls could also be a fertile ground for corals which, in turn, would become a healthy breeding environment for marine life.
Each reef ball can weigh up to one tonne. AnakPinang said this would stop fishing by trawling which is affecting the seabed even before the start of any reclamation work.
It suggested that the balls be placed around the southern coast at a distance of up to 20km from the shore in order to protect the seabed from fish trawlers.
“The reclamation of the three islands could temporarily affect the livelihood of local fishermen. Nevertheless, the reef ball programme, if implemented, could provide a fast turnaround for their economic livelihood.”