November 21, 2024

Singapore unveils comprehensive aquaculture overhaul to boost local fish production

Singapore announced a major plan to revitalise its aquaculture sector, aiming to increase fish production, protect the marine environment, and provide local farmers with improved market access.

The Singapore Aquaculture Plan (SAP) outlines initiatives to enhance the industry. These include offering farmers access to high-quality fish eggs and expanding their ability to sell produce to the Chinese market. Senior Minister of State for Sustainability and the Environment Koh Poh Koon detailed the measures during the Asia-Pacific Agri-Food Innovation Summit on November 19, 2024.

Under the SAP, farmers will temporarily gain free access to intellectual property from new solutions or research developed under the existing agri-food AquaPolis research initiative. This initiative aims to support farmers in adopting innovative practices to increase productivity.

According to the Singapore Food Agency's (SFA) 2023 statistics, Singapore had 131 local aquaculture farms—98 sea-based and 33 land-based—which accounted for 7.3% of seafood consumed locally. However, recent reports indicate challenges in the sector. In October, there was a decline in the number of sea-based fish farms, which dropped to 74.

"For a small nation like Singapore that imports more than 90% of the food we consume here, we are particularly vulnerable to global food supply disruptions," said Dr Koh.

He emphasised the importance of local production as a buffer against global food supply uncertainties, describing it as a necessary form of insurance to secure Singapore's food future.

-      The Straits Times