MTL: DOF Intensifies Aid, Technological Support For Aquaculture Farmers

PUTRAJAYA, Dec 16 (Bernama) -- The Department of Fisheries (DOF) is providing various forms of assistance to ensure the continuity of fish farming operations in the face of the Northeast Monsoon (MTL) season and preparations for next year's fish farming round.

Fisheries director-general Datuk Adnan Hussain said the assistance includes the distribution of livestock inputs, technical advisory services, monitoring of the aquaculture environment as well as mitigation measures against harmful algae blooms and fish diseases through the Fisheries Research Institute.

"The implementation of the Aquaculture Breeding and Seed Development Plan through the Nucleus Breeding Centre and the Master Multiplier Centre has produced more than five billion seeds per year with an estimated production value of around RM690 million, involving 490 private hatcheries and nurseries.

"This also ensures a high-quality and resilient seed supply in the face of climate change challenges," he said in a statement here today.

In addition, Adnan said the Geographic Information System (GIS) technology through MyDOFGiS at https://mydofgis.mysa.gov.my/ and the Early Warning System were also used to provide accurate and fast information to farmers so that preventive measures could be taken earlier.

"These measures also enable farmers to adjust their operations, including cage management, seed spreading rates, feeding, and water management to minimise the impact of disasters," he said.

He said the integrated assistance and support provided by the government was a continuous effort in helping aquaculture farmers affected by the floods and ensuring their survival operations and preparations for next year's fish farming round.

"We understand the challenges faced by farmers due to the floods of MTL 2024/2025 and MTL 2025, and through this integrated assistance and support under the Agricultural Disaster Fund, the government is working to ensure that farmers can quickly restore operations and prepare for the 2026 farming round," he said.

Adnan said the assistance will be channeled according to the procedures set by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (KPKM) to not only reduce the risk of loss, but also protect the source of income and well-being of the country's fishing community.

Adnan said the DOF gave an assurance that each farmer who has been approved will receive assistance after all conditions are met to enable farmers to continue carrying out aquaculture activities next year.

He said the DOF also expressed concern for aquaculture farmers affected by the floods during the MTL season, which saw 594 farmers receive assistance worth RM 7.9 million through the Agricultural Disaster Fund (TBP) in 2024/2025.

Meanwhile, during the MTL from October to December 2025, a total of 112 farmers were identified as affected with an estimated loss of RM 13.65 million involving damage to cages, ponds, loss of seeds and fish deaths in several states including Perak, Sabah, Johor, Negeri Sembilan, Penang, Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang, Selangor and Perlis.

-- BERNAMA