20 JUNE 2017 • WORLD AQUACULTURE • WWW.WAS.ORG Hybrid and Pangasius Catfish Various species of Clarias and Pangasius catfish are commercially farmed in Malaysia. The pull factors in catfish farming are related to its hardiness, tolerance of adverse water quality conditions and high-density culture, early maturation and relatively easy reproduction in captivity, and fast growth. Ponds and cement tanks were once popular culture systems, with canvas and polytank systems more popular recently. The latter allows the fish to be farmed by small-scale farmers and as a hobby. Now it is common in Malaysia to see production being done in home gardens or in backyards of housing areas. The main constraint on catfish production is the high cost of formulated feed, constituting around 60 percent of production cost. To sustain interest in its production, researchers are continuously looking for viable substitutes. River catfish, locally known as “patin fish” (Pangasius nasutus), is another potential species for commercial aquaculture in Malaysia. The country has three indigenous species of Pangasius that are farmed in ponds and floating cages. Seaweed The farming of various species of seaweed started in the 1970s. In 2015, the national wet seaweed production was 260,760 t, valued at MYR 208.5 million (USD 52.2 million, DOF 2016). Seaweed farming in Malaysia is mostly concentrated in Sabah in East Malaysia, within the Coral Triangle area, designated as a seaweed industrial zone. The main locations are around Semporna, Lahad Datu, Kudat and Kunak in Sabah, covering 13,000 ha in 2015. Small-scale farming has started in Pulau Pangkor and Pulau Langkawi, West Malaysia. The most common farming method is the longline, followed by fixed off-bottom and floating bamboo raft methods. The two main farmed species are Kappaphycus alvarezii and Eucheuma denticulatum. Harvests are later processed either as refined carrageenan, semi-refined carrageenan or alkaline-treated chip by three major processing companies in Sabah, i.e. Omnigel Sdn. Bhd (Semporna), Tacara Sdn. Bhd (Tawau) and Lucky Frontier Sdn. Bhd (Kunak). Cultivation and propagation method is related to tidal patterns, water depth and financial input. In shallow water of less than 0.5 m, the staking cultivation method is applied. In deeper water of 1 to 3 Three indigenous species of Pangasius are farmed in ponds and floating cages. Cage farming of the river catfish Pangasius sp. The fish are sold live to seafood restaurants. TOP and BOTTOM: Seaweed farming in Malaysia is mostly concentrated in Sabah in East Malaysia, within the Coral Triangle area, designated as a seaweed industrial zone. Picture credit, UPM.
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