KUCHING: The Sarawak government is planning to introduce the breeding of grouper fish and “Ikan Bahalu” (milkfish) to Lawas.
Agriculture Assistant Minister Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail led an entourage from the Modernisation of Agriculture, Native Land and Regional Development Ministry to visit Sabah recently.
Among the places they visited were the Kampung Laya-Laya Breeding Development Aquaculture Cooperation and Fisheries Training Centre in Tuaran, Tuaran Laya-Laya Co-Fisherman Mini Aquaculture Park, Trayong Fish Cage Farm Project in Tuaran, Bahau Fish Breeding Pond and the Borneo Marine Research Institute of Universiti Malaysia Sabah.
Besides that, the entourage also learned ways of breeding milkfish from Wong Aquaculture at Kampung Lok Batik, Tuaran.
Abdul Rahman said groupers could be reared in fish tanks.
“Sabah is well-known for the production of grouper roe, especially the hybrid groupers that can be reared and developed at Punang Station in Lawas.
“The grouper fry from Punang Station could be distributed to fish fry breeders from Kampung Awat-Awat, Kampung Punang and Kampung Kuala Lawas.
“It is hoped that the Sabah Cheap and Efficient Nursery Tank System (Scent) used by fish farmers in Sabah will be implemented in Lawas,” he said.
Abdul Rahman added that the milkfish was a good alternative species to address the lack of supply of Tamban fish and Aur-Aur fish in Lawas.
“I have instructed the Land Fisheries Division of Limbang Agricultural Department to conduct tests on the milkfish and find out whether it is suitable to be made into smoked fish like Tahai fish.
“If suitable, the milkfish will be reared in Sarawak to meet the increasing demand for Tahai fish.
“I also hope that through the collaboration with the fishermen and UMS, 50 fish ponds in Rimbunan Kaseh Sundar will be developed,” he said. – UKAS
