The fish protech closed aquaculture system: the way forward for the Malaysian aquaculture industry

摘要

This article introduces the Fish Protech Closed Aquaculture System (FP CAS) which is envisioned to provide Malaysia with a long term, sustainable and financially viable seafood industry and create food security, export income, stable employment and socioeconomic benefits the community in general and the rural poor in particular. FP CAS is an Australian-developed technology that involves the rearing and breeding of both marine and freshwater fish in tanks housed indoors under controlled environment with regulated temperature, for the purpose of commercial production. FP CAS has been described by an international environmental watchdog as a viable and sustainable alternative to fishing using methods that avoid the environmental problems of other aquaculture technology. A comparative analysis with conventional aquaculture using pond and floating cages shows that while construction is about 10 times more costly, it is thrice more profitable and will last for 30 years compared to about five years for that of ponds and cages. It is more beneficial in all other aspects as well. Fish Protech (Aust) Pty Ltd, which owns the rights to the FP CAS licence, agreed to enter a joint venture partnership with Majuikan Sdn Bhd, to construct a pilot farm located in Sepang, Selangor, Malaysia. In the desire to carry out its social responsibility, Majuikan established a package called SUKRAN to serve 300 beneficiaries among the hardcore rural poor. With 80 FP CAS modules under the SUKRAN project, the fish production will be about 1200 mt/year and monthly production will be 200 Mt of Asian seabass. The major portion of the produce will be exported. The production of various value-added products is another spin-off activity with commercial potential. In conclusion, the implementation of the FP CAS technology in Sepang and under the SUKRAN project to eradicate rural hardcore poverty, is expected to show the way forward to the Malaysian aquaculture industry with significant impacts on fish production in the near future.