August 30, 2022

 

Sarawak, Malaysia premier highlights importance of regional network to track aquaculture diseases

 

Sarawak, Malaysia, must be part of a regional network keeping tabs on aquaculture diseases in order to protect the local industry, said the Premier of Sarawak, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.

 

Abang Johari pointed out that with a 1,000km long coastline and huge inland water bodies covering an area of 150,000ha, the state has the potential to generate export earnings from aquaculture.

 

He said the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030 has placed tremendous importance on the potential of aquaculture industry.

 

"For this reason, I cannot over-emphasise the need for Sarawak to be part of the regional network of information sharing on diseases in aquaculture to protect the state’s aquaculture industry," he said in a speech for the opening of the 11th Symposium on Diseases in Asian Aquaculture (DAA11).

 

He was represented by Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan.

 

Abang Johari noted that while there are new market opportunities for farmed aquatic animals, whether for food or ornamental fish, it also facilitated the spread of pathogens and their diseases.

 

"Timely action can help limit the spread of food-borne and zoonosis of antimicrobial-resistant microorganisms, which can infect humans, animals and plants through various transmission pathways," he said. "These routes of transmission include direct contact with animals and human sources and indirect transmission through the environment and food supply chain.

 

"For example, mass mortality of cage-farmed tilapia was reported in July 2017 due to Tilapia Lake Virus (TiLV) in the Batang Ai Aquaculture Industry Zone. This prompted the Department of Agriculture to swiftly collaborate and link up with the Department of Fisheries Malaysia (DOF) and National Fish Health (NaFISH) to monitor and contain the outbreak with appropriate measures."

 

Abang Johari added that, with its comparative advantage of rich land and water resources, Sarawak is committed to increase and improve the scale of food production for commercialisation and export, which not only covers agriculture crops and livestock but also the fishery sector.

 

"With global fish consumption fast surging, aquaculture is now the fastest growing food production sector in the world and Asia has been the main aquaculture producer, contributing 92% to the total world aquaculture products," he said. "For Sarawak, on average, 27% of our food export are on fish, crustaceans and molluscs, with another 9% imported."

 

Moving forward, Abang Johari said the immediate initiative is to develop commercial aquaculture through the establishment of Aquaculture Industrial Zone (AIZ).

 

On the 11th DAA symposium, he said it marked the start of new approaches and strategies, where the current pandemic is a reminder of the inter-connectivity between human health, animal health and the environment.

 

"Such interlinkages highlight the urgent need to increase collaboration at the national, regional and global levels to address the issues on disease transmission in aquatic ecosystems, zoonotic diseases, antimicrobials resistance as well as aquatic animal welfare, promoting integrated and system-based approach based on the One Health concept," Abang Johari said. "I believe the symposium provides an excellent platform for international partners to establish and enhance research collaborations, as well as market opportunities for aquatic products and aquaculture technologies."

 

- Borneo Post