Problems and challenges

1.  Change the method of cultivation: from catching to cultivation to protect natural resources

The fishing industry uses the catching method as its main method, resulting in over-catch and depletion of marine resources; the increased magnitude of this problem is illustrated in the decline trends of catches from the sea.

To date, the balance between breeding and catching is still not achieved, for example, in the case of East Malaysia, i.e. Sarawak; artificial cultivation is still at the infant stage.

ASEAN countries, China and Japan have faced bitter experience in this aspect. In the past, over-catch has caused the ocean to fall below its regenerative level, thereby causing low yield of fishing expeditions.

Our marine resources must be managed properly; the timing and method of harvest, avoiding breeding periods, type and size of fishing nets etc must be enforced to put the fishing industry on a sustainable basis.

2.  Lack of expertise and management know-how

In spite of the existence of University of Putra Malaysia (previously called as University of Pertanian Malaysia) and University of Sains Malaysia, the shortage of expertise and management know how in the local fishing industry is in acute.

The gap between formal qualification and actual practical knowledge is big; qualified teachers and graduates show a level of knowledge that is not compatible with the demands of the industry. Approximately some 50 graduates in the aquaculture are trained per year, however not more than 20% of this group is directly engaged in aquculture work.  A survey reported students' lack of interest in the sector as primarily due to insufficient skills, unattractive work environment and low level of confidence on its prospects as the key reasons for staying away.
It is therefore both urgent and imperative that the skill pool of the industry is examined critically; the development of this sector begins with the right skill sets. Thailand and other advanced aquaculture nations in Asia have illustrated the importance of staffing the right technical personnel at government and institutional levels.

3.  Lack of professional industry organization

Although there are aquaculture association in some areas, but they are not functioning well enough, the associations are not well organized nor are they proactive in leading discussions of key issues; whether in lobbying the authorities or in advancing the education of the operators.

4.  Weak extension offices and support personnel

Extension programs, led by the government's fishery department are pivotal to the upgrade of the fishing industry in the more successful nations. They play the very important role of knowledge and information dissemination, training of entrepreneurs and bringing them to comply with global standards of quality and sustainability. Malaysia has not done much in this area; currently, there is one or two similar institution, but they still need to link up with relevant research institutions to enhance their quality. Slow in transmission of skills is an existing problem; everyone one or two nationwide seminar on aquaculture is inadequate as less than 10 % the total population involved in the business attend these seminars.

5.  Land issues

Land remain difficult to obtain for those wishing to establish aquaculture operations; although there 80 % - 90 % of suitable land not been utilized in Malaysia. We urge the government to review and amend the land policy especially in the aspect of allocation and tenure. Various departments, included are the land department; the department of environment department and Ministry of Agriculture need to co-ordinate and co-operate in this aspect. A masterplan for breeding and aquaculture is long overdue. Malaysia has not exploited its natural conditions for aquaculture; we have a climate that is condusive all year round, there is a sizeable domestic market and good potential for export.

6.  Lack of financial support from the government and financial institutions

Aquaculture cultivation is a capital-intensive industry, which involves a certain degree of risk. So far, the financial support given to the industry by the government and other financial institutions are inadequate.

7.  Narrow scope of breeding skills 

Currently, breeding tiger prawn is the main focus in aquaculture industries. The industry is too narrowly focused as recent diseases affecting tiger prawns exposed the operators' inability to switch to the breeding of other aqua-crops. Skills in the entire breeding chain are lacking; from the preparation of fish sprouts to managing optimal breeding conditions. Acute lack of technical expertise and managerial knowledge remains a stumbling block to the development of the industry. 

8.  Lack of regulation and benchmarking standards

Aquaculture, if not properly regulated can be a highly polluting industry; with untreated waste discharge into water sources or into the seas. Standards must be set up with regards to the size of ponds, the building of dams and filtering facilities to treat waste, the safe use of antibiotics etc. Regulation must be set up and enforcement tightened. 
 

Recommendations

1.  Improve skill pool

1. Hired foreign aquaculture expert to work as industrial consultant and lecturer
2. Encourage interaction and learning with foreign experts, to enhance cooperation
3. Improve the quality of qualified teachers in the university, with greater emphasis on fieldwork. This is important to close the gap between academia and farm practice
4. Establishment of extension offices and hire suitable and dedicated officers
5. Establishment of A National Aquaculture Consultative Committee  (must include appropriate number of foreign experts).

2.  Train professional aquaculture career farmers/farm managers

1. Establish A Training Institute for Aquaculture, to train those people involve in aquaculture (One each in East and West Malaysia)
2. To provide further support to an appropriate number of people, sending overseas if need be, to acquire the latest skill in aquaculture.

3.  Focus in fundamental research

1. Emphasis on disease detection and control
2. Increase the technology in sewerage services, to ensure the environment is free from pollution
3. Research and develop a way that can diversify the existing cultivation model.

4.  More effective dissemination of skill and information.

1. Establish local industry associations
2. More effective dissemination of findings of research. National Aquaculture Consultative Committee to organize and publish bulletins in aquaculture which easy to understand (Chinese, Malay or English) to the entire business community involve in aquaculture
3. Establish web site on aquaculture information in Malaysia, encourage on line interaction and to allow the free flow of communication.

5.  Professionalizing and setting up of standards
Professional standards need to be established: 

1. Macro -regulation and control by the government:
1. Opening  of land
2. iDiversification of aquaculture species
3. Human skill
4. Education, training and career guidance
2. Size and requirement of cultivation ponds
3. Large-scale aqua-venture management skill
4. Approval and Registration of an  aquaculture company should only be approved after an technical feasibility study by an independent aquaculture expertise and should comply with the following: 
1. Catching/breeding method
2. Regulation in sewerage discharge
3. Disease control/vaccination procedure
4. Health examination and guarantee and export controls
5. Work in line with the standard of ISO 9002, and follow the World Industrial Standard.

6.  Financing support

1. Loans and insurance support from relevant institutions are needed to promote the growth of the industry.

7.  Enhance competitiveness

1. Establish more cold storage and processing facilities to support expansion 
2. Support the development of finished products and semi-finished products to promote greater value creation
3. Increase the technology in food processing, provide quality product to meet the demand of domestic and export market.

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