MELAKA, July 26 (Bernama) -- The Department of Fisheries (DOF) has allocated more than RM3.32 million this year through various forms of assistance for fisheries entrepreneurs, aquaculture farmers and fishing communities in the Southern Zone.
Fisheries director-general Datuk Adnan Hussain said of the total, RM348,170 was channelled through the Fisheries Delivery System and Extension Support Services programme to participants of the myAgropreneur Perikanan (myAP) and MyKomuniti Perikanan (myKP) programmes in the region.
“Another RM2.956 million has been allocated under the Aquaculture Delivery System and Support Services programme to 89 aquaculture operators in Melaka, Negeri Sembilan and Johor to support various farming activities, including the cultivation of catfish, tilapia and prawns.
“The DOF has also provided assistance worth RM22,317, comprising equipment such as safety vests, bags and flashlights, to fisheries network heads appointed as the department’s representatives within fishing communities to help disseminate information, provide advisory services and support fisheries resource conservation efforts,” he said.
He told reporters this after officiating the closing ceremony of the Southern Zone myAP and myKP Entrepreneurs Carnival and Pesona Rasa Akuakultur 2026, held in conjunction with Melaka Agrofest 2026 at Dataran Sejarah, Ayer Keroh, today.
Adnan said the myAP Carnival was organised to develop fisheries entrepreneurs involved in fish processing activities by encouraging the production of value-added products such as keropok lekor, fish crackers, pekasam (fermented fish), smoked fish, fish balls and fish cakes.
He said the carnival aims to recognise the contributions of fisheries communities in the Southern Zone in supporting fisheries resource management while implementing small-scale economic projects to help increase the income of community members.
Meanwhile, he said the Pesona Rasa Akuakultur 2026 programme was organised to raise public awareness of the importance of the aquaculture industry, which records an annual production of about 511,000 metric tonnes, making a significant contribution to the country's fisheries output.
He said the programme also promotes aquaculture species such as tilapia and catfish, while providing the public with greater exposure to the industry's potential.
At the same event, three aquaculture farms in Melaka rearing catfish, tilapia and tiger prawns received the Malaysian Good Aquaculture Practices (myGAP) certification.
-- BERNAMA