BAGAN SERAI, Jan 14 (Bernama) -- The Fisheries Development Authority of Malaysia (LKIM) fish landing complex in Kuala Kurau, which is expected to commence operations in the near future, will serve as an export hub for fishery resources for both domestic and international markets.
Perak LKIM director Ahmad Zulkifli Ismail said the agency would work with the Kerian Area Fishermen’s Association (PNK) to ensure the complex’s operations were optimised and met the standards set by the authorities.
“The agreement process between LKIM and the fishermen’s association is currently underway, with implementation expected soon after several modifications are made to meet industry needs and comply with existing regulations.
“This is a positive development for the local fishing industry as it encompasses the entire chain, from aquaculture and fish landing to export activities,” he said when met by reporters after inspecting fishing and aquaculture activities in Kuala Kurau today.
Ahmad Zulkifli expressed hope that the measures implemented would help increase marine product output and boost the income of fishermen in northern Perak.
He added that aquaculture products from Perak catered not only to the local market but were also exported to countries such as Singapore, South Korea and Japan, depending on market demand and prevailing prices.
Meanwhile, Ahmad Zulkifli said several new areas suitable for fish cage farming had been identified by local entrepreneurs, with an official application expected to be submitted to the state government in the near future.
He said the proposed area would not only cover the Kerian district but also several other districts in Perak, as the state’s extensive waterways offered significant potential for aquaculture development.
“The Kerian district remains the largest contributor to the aquaculture sector in Perak, in line with the state government’s earlier announcement allocating about 3,000 hectares for the development of aquaculture projects, including cage, prawn and shellfish farming,” he said.
Commenting on the use of fish cages, Ahmad Zulkifli explained that LKIM did not require entrepreneurs to fully adopt the new technology but gave them the option based on their financial capacity.
He said traditional cage operators could continue their operations, but companies with larger capital were encouraged to use modern, high-tech cages because of their durability and lower risk of damage, especially in bad weather and storms.
“Modern cages are more durable than traditional wooden cages, which are vulnerable to weather conditions, although the high construction cost poses a significant challenge for small entrepreneurs,” he said.
--BERNAMA
