OYA: Fishermen in Oya have been advised to pack their products properly so that they can be marketed abroad.
“The packaging must also meet current standards involving the labels of the ingredients used, product nutrients, expiration dates and the names and addresses of the manufacturers,” added Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah.
“The Keropok Ikan Oya and Ikan Masin Oya products, for example, now have a high quality and focus should be given on developing their packaging and branding.
“The Fisheries Department was previously involved in the packaging of downstream fishery products and this knowledge should be widely disseminated to those involved in producing these products,” Fatimah told a press conference on the Community Interaction Programme with the Oya Fishing Community at Pekan Sabtu Oya on Saturday (Sept 25).
Fatimah, who is also Dalat assemblywoman, pointed out the development of the downstream fishery products would ensure continuous incomes for fishermen and housewives during the monsoon season.
“These jobs can create careers,” said Fatimah, adding that high-quality packaging would attract buyers and indirectly, help the families of the fishermen and housewives.
She also stressed that cooperation of all parties, especially fishermen and government agencies, was necessary to improve the downstream fishery products from time to time.
Also present at the programme were the Department of Marine Fisheries Sarawak Director Bohari Leng and My Fisheries Community (MYKP) chairman Oya Councillor Arini Suhaili.
