February 5, 2007

Malaysia hopes to reap high returns from grouper breeding 

Increased demand for grouper is prompting Malaysia's Fisheries Department to embark on a major project to mass-produce the marine fish.

The grouper, once shunned for its ugliness, is slated to become the country's major commercially cage-reared marine fish by 2010 as demand soars.

The fish, known locally as kerapu, is easily bred and adapts well to Malaysia's climate, a Fisheries Department spokesman said.

There are various species of grouper but kerapu kertang (Epinephelus lanceolatus) was picked for the commercial breeding project at the Marine Fish Research and Breeding Centre in the state of Terengganu as it is of high commercial value.

The centre's head Hussin Mat Ali said the centre aimed to produce 122,000 tonnes of kerapu kertang by 2010.

This meant 100 million grouper fry from 2,200 parent fish would have to be produced and distributed to caged-fish breeders nationwide within this period. Grouper fry are notoriously hard to rear.

However, up until a certain stage, breeding the fish is not much of a hassle as it can be bred in enclosures or open tanks with controlled water supply, Hussin said..

The kerapu kertang could grow up to 400kg in weight and 2.0 metres in length within a short time.

Even before it reaches maturity, it can be sold for up to RM70 a kilogramme. ( US$20).

Apart from kerapu fry, the centre is also trying to mass-produce siakap fry, 150 ikan merah fry and cobia fry.

It is estimated that Terengganu state now has some 150 caged-marine fish breeders.

Both the "hatchery" and Recirculating Aquaculture System technology were expected to boost the harvest and earnings, Hussin said.