April 29, 2008

Malaysia's Perak state aims to be Southeast Asia's tilapia centre

The state of Perak in Malaysia is setting its sights to be Southeast Asia's centre for tilapia or cichlids, thanks to a joint venture between the state Agriculture Development Corporation and Trapia (M) Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of Norway-based Genomar AS.

Some 200 hectares of the state's Temenggor and Kenering lakes have been turned into aquaculture industrial zones which are expected to produce between 30,000 and 40,000 tonnes of tilapia annually by 2013.

Fisheries Department director-general Datuk Junaidi Che Ayub said the giant aquaculture project would be based on contract farming and may provide some 2,000 job opportunities.

After witnessing the harvesting of tilapia in Temenggor lake, Junaidi said the agreement was signed in February 2007 which involves an initial investment of RM35 million (US$11.09 million). The project also aims to be the world's biggest fillet producer once the company becomes operational.

Also present was state Fisheries Department director Sani Mohd Isa.

Junaidi also revealed that Perak was selected after attempts to breed the species, whose scientific name is Genomar supreme tilapia had been carried out in several locations in Thailand as well as Kedah, Johor, Pahang and Terengganu.

He said Malaysian waters are "free from any form of pollution", thus makes it suitable for the breeding of tilapia.

Trapia (M) Sdn Bhd's director Lai Sead Ping said test results showed the fish in Temenggor lake experienced a rapid growth rate.

Ping said the flesh does not smell due to the country's excellent water quality.