July 5, 2006

Malaysia to develop aquaculture to meet rising local demand

Malaysians are expected to consume more fish by 2010 said Deputy Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shariff Omar said at the opening of the Pahang Aquaculture Entrepreneur Development seminar.

Per capita fish consumption is expected to increase from 45kg in 2000 to 55 kg by 2010, he said.

To anticipate demand, the ministry is now focusing on development of the aquaculture sector, Omar said.

Demand for fish in the country is 1.93 million tonnes a year while production is only 1.3 million tonnes.

The country aims to double the area for the production of freshwater fish from 22,582 hectares currently to 58,000 hectares. The country has also set itself a production target of 662,000 tonnes a year by 2010. 

By then, aquaculture production would triple to 21 percent of total fish output from only six percent presently.