THE Fisheries Department is actively working towards expanding the milkfish farming industry nationwide. 

Fisheries Department director-general Adnan Hussain said milkfish has long been popular in other countries such as the Philippines and Indonesia, and demand in the domestic market has also increased over the years. 

“The production of milkfish in this country has increased to 9,276 metric tonnes last year compared to only 2,819 metric tonnes in 2021,” he told reporters after launching the Marine Fish Alternative Programme at the Tanjung Demong Fisheries Research Institute (IPP) today. 

He said currently, only one company in Batu Lintang, Sungai Petani, Kedah is conducting milkfish farming on a commercial scale in Malaysia.  

However, it had to import milkfish fry from abroad, as local supply was still limited, he said. 

Adnan said the Tanjung Demong IPP had conducted research on milkfish fry and breeding to enhance the quality of broodstock. 

“Starting from July 4, a total of 11 brood fish and 30,000 14-day-old fry were imported into Malaysia and bred at the Tanjung Demong IPP. 

“As a result, the broodstock laid 100,000 eggs on August 3 and up to today, 4.6 million eggs have been produced,” said Adnan, who also presented milkfish fry to 10 marine fish farmers from Kelantan, Terengganu, and Pahang. 

He added that milkfish were easier to farm than barramundi, grouper, or snapper and the department was targeting being able to meet high domestic demand for it by 2025. – Bernama, September 24, 2023.