Ministry Eyes 1.44 Mln Tonnes Output From Aquaculture Sector

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 14 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry is aiming for an output of 1.44 million tonnes from the aquaculture sector by 2020. Deputy Minister Tajuddin Abdul Rahman said the industry's current output was 506,000 metric tonnes, or 29 per cent of the total fish output of 1.98 metric tonnes a year. "We have restructured the ratio for saltwater and aquaculture fish harvest to 50:50 setting 1.57 metric tonnes as target for saltwater catch and 1.44 metric tonnes for aquaculture yield," he said this in reply to a question from Senator Dr Zaiedi Suhaili at Dewan Negara (Lower House of Parliament) here Wednesday. Zaiedi wanted to know the aquaculture industry's contributions to the nation's fish landing. "In a move to boost the aquaculture fishermen's harvest, we have distributed one million good quality fingerlings free of charge to 790 aquaculture fish farmers who suffered loss during the floods," he said. Tajuddin also said another 169 farmers received help in the form of equipment and facilities under the Aquaculture Support and Delivery System 2016. -- BERNAMA