ALOR STAR: Langkawi is expected to become a hub for fish farming in Southeast Asia beginning next year, said State Agriculture and Agro-Based Committee chairman Datuk Suraya Yaacob today.
She said although the country’s fish farming industry is well developed, it currently lacks the capability to cater to local and foreign demand.
“In a fishery conference held in Kuala Lumpur recently, world experts have produced data showing that the fish population in international waters may be insufficient if every country does not initiate its own fish farming industry.
“On average, Malaysians eat 54kg of fish a year and the numbers continue to grow every year. Hence, the industry needs to be developed at a larger scale in order to meet the rising demand.
“Having said so, Langkawi has a big potential in the fish farming industry.
“At the same time, Langkawi can be turned into a fresh fish and fishery products hub across the region beginning next year,” she said.
Suraya said this when met at a presentation of commitment and royalty payment ceremony between aquaculture company Fishance Bhd and the Kedah state government at Wisma Darulaman here, today.
The Singapore-based company made a payment of RM1.295million to the state government.
“We can see enormous efforts made by the company, which invested RM12 million into the project.
“This project will benefit the residents in Langkawi, especially those living in Langgun and the Tuba islands,” she said.
Last month, Fishance Bhd, which is also the largest fish farming company in Langkawi, received international recognition after receiving the Best Fishery Company 2017 award during the Fishery and Marine Food Expo in China.
The company, with a paid-up capital of RM51 million, has been operating since last year in Langgun Island and has 2,000 fish farming cages, which produce 20 metric tonnes of groupers every month.