July 22, 2026

 

Penang produced most of Malaysia's seabass last year

 

 

Penang, Malaysia, produced 77% of Malaysia's aquaculture seabass output in 2025, with authorities urging strict compliance with Good Aquaculture Practices (MyGAP).

 

Fisheries director-general Datuk Adnan Hussain said Penang's position as the country's leading seabass producer must be supported by good farming practices, including compliance with MyGAP, prudent antibiotic management and effective farm biosecurity.

 

"Compliance with MyGAP, prudent antibiotic management, and biosecurity controls are essential to ensure aquaculture products are safe, of high quality and meet market requirements," he said during the MyGAP and Antibiotic Management Engagement Session for the aquaculture industry on July 21.

 

Malaysia's aquaculture industry is a vital and fast-growing contributor to the nation's food security and agricultural economy, accounting for approximately 30 per cent of total fisheries production.

 

As wild fish stocks face increasing pressure from overfishing, aquaculture has become an essential source of seafood, producing a diverse range of marine, brackish-water, and freshwater species, including vannamei shrimp, tilapia, and high-value marine finfish.

Adnan said Penang produced 44,596.46 metric tonnes of aquaculture seabass worth RM562.51 million (US$132.36 million) in 2025, accounting for 77% of the national output.

The Department of Fisheries (DOF) recorded Malaysia's total seabass production at 58,221.38 metric tonnes worth RM755.27 million (US$177.71 million) last year.

Penang's seabass production rose from 39,690.39 metric tonnes worth RM489.55 million (US$115.19 million) in 2024, when it accounted for about 65% of the country's total aquaculture seabass output.

The latest figures represented a 12.36 per cent increase in production volume and a 14.9% rise in production value compared with the previous year.

Apart from seabass, Penang recorded total aquaculture production of 54,767.3 metric tonnes worth RM1.14 billion (US$268.24 million) in 2024.

DOF data shows there are 105 pond seabass farmers in Seberang Prai, comprising 93 operators in Seberang Prai Selatan, 11 in Seberang Prai Tengah and one in Seberang Prai Utara.

Another 17 white shrimp and tiger prawn farmers also operate in the area.

On exports, Adnan said the department is preparing for a technical field inspection by Thailand's Department of Fisheries on Malaysia's aquaculture export requirements.

The preparations involve collaboration between DOF, the Health Ministry, the Malaysian Fisheries Development Authority, the Border Control and Protection Agency, and the Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services Department to ensure compliance with biosecurity, antibiotic management, product traceability and food safety standards.

He said DOF would continue monitoring and guiding industry players to ensure the country's aquaculture production meets food safety requirements, export market standards and consumer interests.

 

- New Straits Times