ARTIFICIAL REEFS OF SOUTHEAST-ASIA - DO THEY ENHANCE OR DEGRADE THE MARINE-ENVIRONMENT

Artificial reefs are seen as effective tools to enhance the marine env ironment and increase productivity, particularly fish biomass and abun dance. Many Southeast Asian countries have implemented artificial reef programmes. When effectively managed, artificial reefs enhance habita ts and biological productivity. Management includes proper planning on the use and configuration of materials, sire selection, and regulator y control of fisheries harvest. Without planning and long-term managem ent, artificial reefs fail and become nothing more than pollutants tha t contribute to the further degradation of the marine environment.