KUCHING: Sarawak’s geography, which includes vast marine areas as well as extensive land, offers strong potential for the expansion of aquaculture projects in the state.
Malaysian Fisheries Development Authority (LKIM) Chairman, Muhammad Faiz Fadzil, said these natural advantages provide opportunities to further develop Sarawak through aquaculture activities.
“We have land with very high potential for aquaculture use, and we are trying to implement this plan in Asajaya in the future.
“This area (Asajaya) will eventually be developed as another location that will be directly involved in aquaculture activities,” he said.
He said this when met by reporters after officiating the Majlis Rahmah Mesra Madani Bersama Nelayan PNK Satang Biru at Esplanade Telaga Air at the Telaga Air Esplanade here today.
In this regard, he revealed that the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (KPKM) is targeting fish production by 2030, with 40 per cent coming from the aquaculture sector.
“We see aquaculture as a new sector in the fisheries industry that is capable of sustaining fish supply while also increasing fishermen’s income.
“Therefore, LKIM encourages Area Fishermen’s Association (PNKs) or State Fishermen Associations (Persatuan Nelayan Negeri) to be directly and actively involved in this sector,” he said.
Meanwhile, Faiz urged fishermen to make full use of modern facilities provided, including the Tanjung Bako and Tanjung Manis ports, to increase fish landings in Sarawak.
He added that fish landings in Sarawak only reach up to 38,000 metric tonnes annually despite having modern facilities, compared with Perak, which is able to record fish landings of up to 200,000 metric tonnes.
“Fishermen need a change in mindset, to change their attitude towards modernising equipment and to take advantage of available opportunities.
“Do not rely solely on traditional or conservative methods. They need to move towards more modern zones that promise higher fish catches in order to improve fishermen’s livelihoods,” he added.
In a related development, he said that disaster assistance due to the Northeast Monsoon (NEM) is still being assessed, but those eligible will receive up to RM10,000 in aid depending on the extent of the damage.
“The total allocation has not yet been finalised. However, an eligible fisherman may receive assistance from the natural disaster and fishermen’s welfare fund,” he said.
